Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Madigan’s downfall sparks new career for former aide: Selling weed in Michigan
For decades, Mike Noonan was the consummate Illinois political insider. He aggressively worked on Democratic campaigns in all sorts of communities and was a big player in the behind-the-scenes jostling over legislation at the state Capitol.
After years as a staffer and top political operative for longtime Democratic boss Michael Madigan, Noonan was a lobbyist with a long roster of clients in Springfield.
Journal Star: What you need to know about Illinois gas tax increases in 2023
A six-month postponement of a gas tax increase in Illinois ended New Year’s Day, but multiple pieces of legislation introduced in the General Assembly could counter the hike.
The pause stopped a 2.2-cent per gallon increase originally slated for last July 1 when the tax was set to rise to 41.4 cents per gallon. Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature on the state budget, however, paused that tax increase until the new year and also included a yearlong suspension of the 1% grocery tax.
News-Gazette: Illinois SAFE-T Act takes effect minus elimination of cash bail
Illinois’ new sweeping criminal-justice reform law, the SAFE-T Act, is now in effect — but without a key and controversial provision that eliminates cash bail.
The SAFE-T Act took effect on New Year’s Day, but a provision within it titled the Pretrial Fairness Act, which ends cash bail, was put on hold Saturday by a last-minute stay issued by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker ran a cautious reelection campaign. Will he play it safe in second term?
Gov. J.B. Pritzker begins his second term Jan. 9 emboldened by a decisive reelection victory, a slew of wins in November by Democratic candidates he helped fund and a series of legislative successes that formed the foundation of his bid for another four years in Springfield.
With his party achieving a historic 78-40 edge over Republicans in the Illinois House in the new term and a 40-19 advantage in the Senate, expectations will be high for the billionaire entrepreneur and Hyatt Hotels heir to continue racking up victories, though he laid out few specific plans during the campaign.
Daily Herald: Batavia school board to vote on trying $140 million referendum again
The Batavia school board will decide next week whether to ask residents, again, for permission to borrow $140 million for building projects.
The board has scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Rosalie Jones Administration Center, 335 W. Wilson St.