Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: As corruption trials continue, Illinois lobbyist reform effort pushed in General Assembly
Illinois laws regulating lobbyists and their influence on state government have long been criticized as being too weak, especially for a state with a history of influence peddling and corruption.
As the Illinois General Assembly begins its spring session, among the mountain of legislation being proposed is a bill that aims to tackle two key issues around lobbying — requiring statehouse lobbyists to report the compensation they receive from their clients and giving the secretary of state’s office the power to boot bad actors.
ABC 7 Chicago: CPS board to discuss resolution to take over School Resource Officer decision from local councils
It could be the end of the road for police officers in Chicago Public Schools.
The CPS board is set to vote on a resolution next week to take the decision out of the hands of local school councils.
WTTW: Johnson Promises to Spend All of Chicago’s Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds, With Focus on ‘Disinvested’ Communities
Mayor Brandon Johnson vowed to spend every penny of the federal relief funds officials promised to use to strengthen the city’s tattered social safety net and provide direct aid to Chicagoans struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson’s renewed promise to use the influx of cash from the federal government to repair the damage caused by the pandemic came in response to a WTTW News story that was the first to examine two years’ worth of reports from city leaders to federal officials documenting how Chicago has spent the city’s $1.9 billion share of the federal relief package known as the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
FOX 32 Chicago: Wilmette approves Ryan Field rebuild for concerts despite resident objections
Wilmette village leaders have approved the rebuilding of Ryan Field for concerts and other events, despite objections from some residents.
Trustees approved an agreement this week.
Chicago Sun-Times: ShotSpotter contract with Chicago extended through end of summer
The Chicago Police Department will keep its access to the controversial ShotSpotter gunshot detection system after a last-minute deal Friday — hours before the contract was set to expire.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office hammered out a renewal to the nearly $49 million contract with ShotSpotter’s parent company, SoundThinking, to allow the police department to continue using the technology through Sept. 22, according to statements from the company and mayor’s office. The agreement also includes a two-month “transition period” after that date.