Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he still wants to implement a graduated income tax
Gov. J.B. Pritzker says that he is still seeking to implement a graduated income tax on Illinoisans after a previous attempt was rejected by voters.
Pritzker discussed a multitude of issues at a forum at Harvard University in Boston this week and took questions from students in attendance.
Chicago Tribune: Unsafe baby cribs, historical precedent called on in federal court arguments over Illinois gun ban
Before hearing arguments on the constitutionality of Illinois’ assault weapons ban on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn said he’d be “foolhardy” to think that the guns covered by the ban aren’t used for “bad things,” while also noting the rights of law-abiding citizens to bear arms.
Both sides of the gun issue were gathered in his East St. Louis courtroom, which the judge also acknowledged while calling for a civil debate.
Chicago Sun-Times: 5 of Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s public safety promises — and obstacles
The Chicago mayoral election was dominated by one issue above all others: crime.
Daily Herald: What it takes to expel legislators in Illinois
Though historically rife with a variety of scandals, Illinois legislators have rarely used their powers of expulsion to remove offending colleagues from office.
In fact, it’s happened only twice in the 205-year history of the General Assembly — first in 1905 for slandering the honor of the legislative body and then in 2012 for corruption — though there have been several unsuccessful attempts.
ABC 7: 'ComEd Four' trial: Prosecution rests its case as former CEO says she plans to testify
The prosecution rested Wednesday in the trial of the “ComEd Four,” and one of those accused in the bribery case told the judge she’s ready to testify in her own defense.
Even before the jury walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, defense attorneys in the ComEd Four trial took their turn trying to acquit their respective clients of the corruption charges against them. Each denied that there was ever a concerted effort on their behalf to bribe then House Speaker Mike Madigan in exchange for legislation favorable to the utility company.
WGN: Illinois police investigate nearly 2 dozen school threats Wednesday
As many as 19 Illinois counties received school threats on Wednesday, in what is being referred to as “swatting,” Illinois State Police said in an update Wednesday afternoon.
Totaling 21 calls, several Illinois communities across the state received swatting threats, dangerous and illegal fake calls about an active shooter situation, directed toward schools, a spokesperson from Illinois State Police told WGN News.
Chicago Tribune: Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson names union leader to head transition team
Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson announced his transition leadership team on Wednesday, providing a glimpse into the way his future administration will run the city as he continues to assemble senior staff.
Johnson’s transition director will be Jessica Angus, vice president and chief of staff since 2008 at SEIU Healthcare Illinois, one of the key unions to support his run early on. His senior advisers will be campaign manager Jason Lee, a former investment banker who has worked with progressive unions, and Amisha Patel, former executive director of Grassroots Collaborative and Grassroots Illinois Action.