Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Op-Ed: New lawmakers’ top priority should be tax relief for Illinoisans
New Illinois lawmakers who will be sworn into office Jan. 11 would serve their state well if they started their terms by providing overtaxed Illinoisans with economic relief.
Early into 2023, Illinoisans continue to pay many costs that residents of other states do not. Those costs include the highest cell phone taxes and second-highest property taxes in the nation.
Chicago Sun-Times: Former Speaker Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial set for April 2024
The highly anticipated racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan has been set for April 1, 2024.
The trial, which is expected to last six or seven weeks, was scheduled during a brief status hearing in Madigan’s case on Monday before U.S. District Judge John Blakey.
State Journal-Register: Pritzker signs pay increase bill for legislators, statewide officeholders
With a few hours to spare, Gov. JB Pritzker announced today that he signed Senate Bill 1720 which amends the 2023 Budget Implementation Act and provides salary increases for members of the Illinois legislative and executive branches.
For the measure to go into effect, the governor had to sign the bill by noon today since pay raises for state officeholders during a term of office are barred by the state constitution. Before 10 a.m., Pritzker announced that he had signed SB 1720.
Daily Herald: 'Impressive' Soldier Field plans wouldn't give Bears stadium ownership, Mayor Hayes says
Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes called plans to transform Soldier Field with a dome and surrounding commercial and entertainment campus “impressive,” but he said the proposal doesn’t change why the Chicago Bears are considering redevelopment of Arlington Park.
“Certainly, it’s a very impressive-looking video,” Hayes said of stadium developer Bob Dunn’s vision for the lakefront stadium released Sunday at reimaginesoldierfield.com.
Daily Herald: 'Why shouldn't we consider it?' Libertyville may put marijuana question to voters April 4
The Libertyville village board tonight will consider asking voters whether the sale of recreational marijuana products should be allowed at state-licensed dispensaries in town.
Mayor Donna Johnson introduced the resolution calling for a nonbinding, advisory referendum on the April 4 ballot.
Shaw Local News Network: No McHenry County school board candidates kicked off ballot
Despite eight objections filed against McHenry County school board hopefuls, no candidates were kicked off the ballot after a hearing on Friday.
In a nearly five-hour meeting on Friday, an electoral board consisting of McHenry County Clerk Joe Tirio; Robin Shetley, chief deputy from the McHenry County Circuit Court; and Tom Cahill with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office heard each case and determined none of the candidates should be removed from the ballot.