Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Journal Star: Illinois population shrinks again, according to latest US Census estimate
New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show Illinois lost population from 2021 to 2022, continuing a nine-year population slide in the Land of Lincoln.
The report found Illinois subtracted more than 104,000 from its ranks this year going from 12.6 million to 12.5 million residents. The population loss of 0.8% was the third-highest rate behind New York and California and was among the 18 states that lost population this year. Driving that loss primarily was the 141,656 people migrating out of the state.
Chicago Tribune: Machine politics still front and center in race for 33rd Ward alderman
For the first time in 48 years, the name “Mell” won’t be on the ballot for Chicago alderman in the Northwest Side’s 33rd Ward.
And while the democratic socialist alderman who four years ago upended the Mell family’s reign is facing a challenge from new opponents, some of the same tactics that solidified the ward’s reputation for Chicago Democratic machine politics have found their way back to this year’s aldermanic race.
The Center Square: Sports bettors in Illinois post big numbers in 2022
Since its inception in March 2020, legalized sports betting has exploded in Illinois.
Sports bettors have made the state one of the top gambling markets in the country. October marked the first time Illinois’ sports betting handle surpassed the $1 billion dollar mark in a single month, becoming just the fourth state in U.S. history to reach that threshold, joining New York, New Jersey and Nevada to reach that plateau.
Chicago Sun-Times: CPS admits delayed response to lead paint found at Bridgeport’s McClellan Elementary School
Chicago Public Schools officials admitted they were slow to respond to complaints of peeling lead paint in a special education classroom and two other rooms at a Bridgeport elementary school, delaying for months before following up on testing and addressing the problem.
Daily Herald: BizWeek: Bears face renewed opposition over site funding; Des Plaines small business gets tax break to expand
Its anti-corporate welfare ordinance roundly rejected by the Arlington Heights village board, an advocacy group has launched another bid to prevent a Chicago Bears redevelopment of Arlington Park: an unconventional campaign that’s flooding local mailboxes with campaign-style mailers that have QR codes allowing residents to print out, sign, circulate and notarize petitions themselves.