Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Chicago mayor-elect's spending rhetoric raises red flag for downstate lawmakers
Some downstate Illinois lawmakers are voicing concerns over Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s proposed spending spree.
Johnson told lawmakers they must commit to working together if both the city and state are to succeed. He said his time at the statehouse is about building a better, stronger and safer Chicago by establishing a strong foundation for collaboration.
Chicago Tribune: Testimony ends in ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trial, with closing arguments expected next week
After six weeks of evidence, closing arguments in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial, involving an alleged scheme to bribe then-Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, have been set for Monday.
U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber told the jurors Wednesday they had heard all the testimony in the case and instructed them to come back Monday morning, when they’ll hear some final stipulations followed by closing arguments from both sides.
Chicago Sun-Times: Year of the Incumbent? Only one sitting City Council member unseated this year — first time in a century
Last year will be remembered by many City Hall observers for the wave of incumbents who announced they’d give up their City Council seats — but this year has proven a record-breaking one for members being able to hold onto theirs.
With unofficial final runoff election results this week confirming a third term for West Side Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), only one incumbent was knocked out of the Council this cycle — a singular ouster that marks the smallest rejection of sitting members since Chicago switched to the 50-ward Council system a century ago.
WGN: Marijuana employees go on strike at Chicagoland dispensaries
Employees at three Chicagoland marijuana dispensaries went on strike Wednesday afternoon.
Teamster members walked out of three RISE Dispensary locations in Niles and Joliet on Wednesday. RISE has 11 marijuana dispensaries around the state of Illinois, including six in the Chicagoland area.
CBS Chicago: Mayor Lightfoot presides over last council meeting amid rosy budget projections
Wednesday is the final City Council meeting for Mayor Lori Lightfoot and 12 sitting aldermen, as the transition process begins to welcome a new Chicago mayor and council next month.
During the meeting, aldermen are expected to pay tribute to 12 colleagues who are attending their last meeting, as well as indicted Ald. Carrie Austin (34th), who stepped down last month, and is awaiting trial on federal bribery charges.
Capitol News: Chicago mayor-elect hails Illinois as ‘vanguard for progressive policy’ in speech to lawmakers
Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson said Wednesday his goal was to unify the state while calling Illinois a “vanguard for progressive policy all over this country” in an address to a joint session of the General Assembly.
Johnson, a former middle school teacher and one-time staffer for Senate President Don Harmon, said he came to Springfield to “establish a productive, collaborative and energetic partnership to invest in the people of Chicago and the engine of this economy here in Illinois.”
WCIA: Illinois community college students may have automatic admission to more state universities, thanks to new bill
A new bill may make more community college students continue to universities in state.
Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) is pushing for a bill that would allow automatic admission to more of Illinois’ universities to community college students.