Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Chicago Tribune: Judge hears arguments in Johnson homelessness referendum lawsuit
As early voting for the March 19 primary gears up in Chicago, voters are still in the dark about whether their choice on the so-called Bring Chicago Home referendum will count.
Lawyers were in court Wednesday arguing over the fate of the key plank in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s progressive agenda. But Circuit Judge Kathleen Burke did not rule on whether the lawsuit can proceed.
Chicago Sun-Times: Analysis: What Mayor Johnson’s decision on ending ShotSpotter says about his leadership
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to cancel the ShotSpotter contract but extend it until Sept. 22 says a lot about his political leadership — or lack of it.
If Johnson was so determined to honor his campaign promise to get rid of the controversial gunshot detection system, why did he wait until the last minute to timidly announce the decision and fail to prepare the Chicago Police Department for life after ShotSpotter?
The Daily Herald: Cook County panel turns down Bears’ tax appeal, but decision isn’t final
The Cook County Board of Review on Wednesday endorsed county Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s valuation of the Arlington Park property, which could stick the Chicago Bears with a tax bill millions above what they had hoped.
But the unanimous decision of the three-member elected panel isn’t final; the board is giving the Bears and three Arlington Heights-area school districts until Saturday to return to the negotiating table to hash out an agreement that could arrive at a lower figure.
The Chicago Tribune: State’s attorney Democratic candidates spar over Foxx at Tribune Editorial Board meeting
Democratic candidates for Cook County state’s attorney made their case to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Wednesday, sparring mildly over their assessment of the county’s outgoing top prosecutor, Kim Foxx.
Foxx has not endorsed either candidate — retired Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke or Clayton Harris III— but Harris has been endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party and Foxx’s political mentor, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.