Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Unemployment, economic concerns rise in Chicago and statewide
Illinois has rising unemployment and poor credit ratings.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker told the AFL-CIO that Illinois is the most labor-friendly state in the union.
Chicago Sun-Times: Racing the clock, Johnson speeds up spending of federal pandemic funds
Mayor Brandon Johnson has been racing to beat a Dec. 31 deadline to allocate $1.88 billion in pandemic relief funds — and spend it all by 2026 — to avoid losing the federal money.
The race is paying off — but in a way that two influential City Council members fear could create a culture of dependency that beleaguered Chicago taxpayers can’t afford to sustain.
The Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker interviewed twice for Kamala Harris VP slot, source says
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was interviewed twice this week by Vice President Kamala Harris’ vetting team as she nears an announcement on a running mate for her nascent presidential campaign, according to a source familiar with the conversations.
The most recent interview took place Wednesday, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details of the confidential process.
The Daily Herald: District 25 ready to welcome first full-day kindergarten students this month
As students prepare to head back to school this month, Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 will cut the ribbons on six building additions and usher in full-day kindergarten programming as authorized by voters in a 2022 referendum.
Construction crews are now putting the finishing touches on the school expansions — laying down carpeting, turning on heating and cooling systems, and planting trees and shrubs outside — ahead of the set Aug. 10 date of substantial completion, when the hard hat sites are officially turned over to District 25 staff.
WAND TV: Former governor Quinn advocates for property tax relief constitutional amendment
Illinois voters will be asked in November if the state’s constitution should be amended to provide property tax relief. A former Democratic governor is leading the effort to ensure voters know about the referendum.
Illinois has one of the highest and most burdensome property tax bills in the country, but state lawmakers and former governor Pat Quinn hope to provide some relief for people struggling to get by.
The Chicago Tribune: Saying its hands are ‘still tied,’ the Wheeling Township board continues to stall mental health funding
Wheeling Township officials say their hands are “still tied” when it comes to levying a property tax to support mental health services, and they look to the General Assembly to overturn recent legislation during the fall veto session to alleviate that constriction.
More than a year ago, voters in Wheeling Township approved a new property tax to fund mental health services. But township officials have been refusing to impose taxes for the program, saying the referendum didn’t meet legal requirements – despite a state law that was passed to address those concerns.