Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Federal grants will make ethanol-based fuels more accessible
Illinois agricultural officials are applauding federal grants that will make ethanol-based fuels more accessible to motorists.
The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program is designed to expand the reach of ethanol-based fuels. Illinois is one of 22 states that will be receiving part of the $19 million in funding.
Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois is considering its own child tax credit
Congress is nearing a January deadline to expand the national child tax credit, but Illinois lawmakers say they’re pushing forward on a state-level credit that would give working and low-income families financial relief regardless of what happens in Washington, D.C.
Researchers say the move would reduce the number of Illinois children living in poverty and kickstart the state economy.
Chicago Tribune: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ‘better deal’ with NASCAR is a handshake agreement to pay city an extra $2 million
When Mayor Brandon Johnson announced NASCAR would be returning to the streets of downtown Chicago this summer, he touted that he got a “better deal for the people in Chicago” by reducing setup and takedown time and securing extra money to “give us the ability to pay for some of the cost that occurs as a result” of the race.
Such a deal has not been codified between the city and NASCAR, according to an open records request received by the Tribune earlier this month. Rather, NASCAR and the city have so far only reached a verbal commitment in which NASCAR said it will chip in an extra $2 million payment this year and next that the Johnson administration said it hopes will help the city turn a profit on the event.
The Free Press: They’re Black Democrats. And They’re Suing Chicago Over Migrants.
“How dare you?”
That was the first reaction Cata Truss, a 57-year-old mother on the West Side of Chicago, had when she found out who was behind the push to turn her neighborhood park into a shelter for migrants: Democrats she helped elect.
Chicago Sun-Times: Pritzker joins Democratic governors asking Biden, Congress for migrant aid and to fix ‘outdated’ immigration system
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday joined the Democratic governors of eight other states in asking President Joe Biden and Congress to “quickly negotiate” a border security agreement that includes funding for states and cities that are receiving thousands of migrants.
“As Governors representing over 100 million Americans, we write to call on Washington to work together to solve what has become a humanitarian crisis,” the letter, led by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, reads.
WGN: Pritzker critical of Chicago’s plan to handle reduced shelter space for migrants
A tweak to Chicago’s plan for migrants. In closed-door briefings, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson informed officials that the city would no longer set up new shelter space.
Sources say last Friday, a group of City Council members were told that the city does not plan to add new shelter beds. As residents leave, new arrivals will fill the beds.
WTTW: Effort to Crack Down on New Dollar Stores in Chicago Advances
A measure designed to crack down on dollar stores across Chicago won the endorsement of a key city panel Monday as members agreed the increasing number of stores have created a nuisance in many West and South Side neighborhoods.
The full Chicago City Council is set to vote Wednesday on the proposal crafted by Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th Ward), who has been fighting the proliferation of so-called “small-box stores,” most owned by Dollar Tree, Inc., under the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar brands, since 2015. There are approximately 150 dollar stores in Chicago, officials said.
Daily Herald: Naperville vote on social service grants awards turns heated
A Naperville City Council vote to approve grants to social service agencies turned heated last week, with some council members calling objections to one recommended grant political.