Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Of 95 bills acted upon Friday, Pritzker vetoes one
In announcing action on about 95 bills Friday, Gov. JB. Pritzker vetoed one measure at the request of the bill’s sponsors.
Senate Bill 1515 was intended to increase protections for workers, the governor’s office said.
Chicago Tribune: Former Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes heading to trial on charges he lied to federal grand jury investigating his boss
As the bombshell federal investigation into then-House Speaker Michael Madigan was heating up two years ago, prosecutors handed Madigan’s former chief of staff Tim Mapes the ultimate free pass, albeit with one crucial string attached.
Granted immunity, Mapes was assured he would not be charged as long as he told the truth to a federal grand jury. But he allegedly blew it.
Chicago Sun-Times: FOP’s John Catanzara blasts Brandon Johnson for calling teen looting a ‘trend’: ‘That means, do whatever the hell you want apparently.’
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara unloaded on Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday for referring to the ransacking of a South Loop convenience store as a teen “trend”—and not a “mob action” — and for telling reporters it was inappropriate “to refer to children as, like, baby Al Capones.”
In a YouTube video to the police rank-and-file that focused largely on an independent arbitrator’s two rulings favorable to the union, Catanzara condemned Johnson as the City Hall equivalent of a permissive parent who would rather make excuses for young people wreaking havoc than hold them accountable for their criminal behavior.
ABC 7: Gov. JB Pritzker signs legislation aimed at improving way IL schools address student trauma
On Thursday, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation aimed at improving the way Illinois schools address student trauma.
That includes a school report card that will provide information on how many counselors, social workers, nurses and psychologists are in each school, starting in October 2024.
Capitol News: Residents, activists ask state regulators to reject utilities’ rate increases
Members of the public railed against potential increases to the price of natural gas and electricity at two recent public hearings before a state regulatory body that has the authority to limit those rate hikes.
The Illinois Commerce Commission is considering several rate hikes, including two sought by the utilities Peoples Gas and Ameren Illinois, who say they are needed to fund infrastructure improvements.