Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Daily Caller: BRAD WEISENSTEIN: What To Know Before Considering Pritzker As Vice President
President Joe Biden is out. Vice President Kamala Harris is his pick to run in his place. But she needs a running mate.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had been discussed as a potential replacement for Biden, but with Pritzker’s endorsement of Harris that speculation shifted. Now, Pritzker is being discussed as a vice-presidential candidate, and he will be on his home turf Aug. 19-22 when the Democratic National Convention convenes in Chicago.
The Center Square: Renewed calls to end Chicago’s sanctuary status ahead of expected migrant surge
With the city of Chicago already spending as much as $1.5 million a day for migrant housing and thousands of new arrivals expected in the weeks ahead, local activist Tio Hardiman is renewing his call for the city to reverse its sanctuary city status.
For the past two years, Chicago has received more than 45,000 foreign nationals from the southern U.S. border, where border communities have been inundated with border crossers. The taxpayer costs for Illinois and the city of Chicago continue with the new state budget that started this month setting aside more than $900 million for health care, housing, food and even legal subsidies.
Chicago Sun-Times: Who’s paying for Chicago’s DNC? Voters won’t have the full picture till it’s long over
Once subsidized by taxpayers, major-party national conventions are now almost fully funded by uber-wealthy donors, massive corporations, labor unions and other influential big-money groups.
But exactly who is chipping in to cover the potentially record-breaking bill for Chicago’s Democratic National Convention next month? Voters won’t get a full accounting until two months after the balloons are cleaned up at the United Center.
The Chicago Tribune: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s political campaign paid a firm for fundraising help while it lobbied City Hall, spurring calls for reform
A consulting firm has helped Mayor Brandon Johnson’s political organization with fundraising while also lobbying his City Hall office, sparking questions from ethics experts on whether reforms are needed to prevent companies from pursuing both endeavors at the same time.
Mercury Public Affairs, a New York City-based political strategy firm, has been lobbying Johnson since July 2023 on economic and labor causes, according to a Tribune examination of city lobbyist registration records. But starting this year, the company’s consulting division also worked for Johnson’s political fund, state campaign finance records show.
The Daily Southtown: Dolton former and current elected officials announce campaigns against Tiffany Henyard
After Tiffany Henyard was elected to office in 2021, Nicole Scott was hopeful and excited to work with the new Dolton mayor to expand her food pantry to provide an array of supports for local residents.
“The idea was to bring a myriad of services for the community, like make it a community hub,” Scott said.
WGN TV: CTA Red Line Extension project getting major boost in federal funding
The CTA Red Line Extension project is receiving a major boost in federal funding.
Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Mike Quigley announced in a press release Saturday that the Federal Transit Administration will now provide the project — referred to as the RLE — with a total of $746 million in the first year, an increase of $396 million to the $350 million originally planned.
The Daily Herald: With promise of $47 million in public funding, Schaumburg all in on The District
Schaumburg has pledged $47 million in public funding for The District at Veridian, clearing the way for construction to begin on the $185 million, 30-acre mixed-use development on the former Motorola campus.
The first of four phases of the long-awaited “Main Street”-style project will bring 65,000 square feet of retail space, including a grocery store, and more than 300 high-end apartments to the southwest corner of Algonquin and Meacham roads.
WCIA: ‘Introduce the bill tomorrow:’ Family of Sonya Massey advocates for police reform after shooting video released
Sonya Massey’s death is reigniting conversations around law enforcement reform, and her family is leading the charge.
They are calling for real, systemic change across all parts of government after the Springfield woman was shot and killed in her home by a former sheriff’s deputy for Sangamon County earlier this month.
Peoria Journal Star: Pekin expands 'economic growth' with $14 million land purchase
The Pekin City Council recently weighed the merits of an investment in future growth against the need to fund current projects.
The scales tipped in favor of investing in future growth when the council voted 4-3 on July 22 to authorize the $14 million purchase of the 1,000-acre Lutticken Farm property, to be paid over four fiscal years. Council members Rick Hilst, Dave Nutter and Lloyd Orrick voted against the action.