Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Op-Ed: Weisenstein: School choice is good for me, so of course it’s good for thee?
Three of Rena Garrett’s children went to Chicago Public Schools. The fourth, Courtney, floundered when he got to high school.
“Private school for Courtney was way better than public school. He went from being this terrible little kid that would run through the hallway because the teachers would let him, to a leader,” Garrett said. “He helped the smaller kids get used to the private school environment and they just loved him. He’s going to be top of his class.”
Chicago Tribune: Chicago treasurer accused of misconduct and ethical violations in letter city kept secret for years
City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin used government workers to plan her daughter’s birthday party and be her personal bodyguard while she also pressured public employees to hold events benefiting political allies and repeatedly misused taxpayer resources, two former top aides alleged in a recently released letter the city fought for years to keep confidential.
The blistering four-page letter, written in December 2020 by the attorney for the two employees Conyears-Ervin fired, also alleged the treasurer, who oversees city investments, tried to force BMO Harris — one of the banks where city money is deposited — to issue a mortgage tied to the building that houses the aldermanic office for Conyears-Ervin’s husband, Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th.
CBS Chicago: Bally's needs state's OK before opening temporary Chicago casino in matter of days
Chicago could be just days away from having a casino, but even before it opens, it’s getting mixed reviews.
CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar reported Monday that critics aside, all the casino needs is an OK from the state.
There was still a bit of business to take care of before the doors could open at the temporary Bally’s Casino location in the Medinah Temple. State regulators will be at the site this week for testing to see if the casino gets the green light from the Illinois Gaming Board. Then, a license could be awarded.
WTTW: Election 2024 Begins: Candidates for County and State Races Start Gathering Signatures
With summer in the rearview mirror, candidates hoping to win a spot on the March 19 primary ballot can start hitting the streets Tuesday to collect signatures on nominating petitions.
While Chicago voters just elected a new mayor and City Council, a slate of county and state offices is up for grabs, including state’s attorney and circuit court clerk as well as a key seat in the Illinois House to represent the city’s Northwest Side.
The Center Square: Veto session priorities stacking up for Illinois legislators
From energy policy to the Invest in Kids Act, Illinois legislators returning to Springfield next month are already laying out their expectations.
State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, said the fight of the fall session is going to be renewing the privately-funded Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program. The program gives a 75% state income tax credit for donations but expires at the end of the year.
Block Club Chicago: One Year After First Migrant Buses Sent To Chicago, City Still Unprepared To Tackle Crisis: ‘There Is No Over For This’
Emily Barrueta, an asylum seeker, was sitting on the floor of the Near West (12th) District police station Wednesday with her 5-year-old on her lap and a thermometer tucked under his arm.
The instrument beeped. Her young son, laying on a makeshift bed on the tile floor, had a fever of 102.9 degrees.
WCIA: How gas prices have changed in Illinois in the last week
Gas prices nationwide are near record highs as Americans gear up for the Labor Day weekend. Extreme weather and cuts to oil production from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are both factors pushing prices up.
U.S. oil inventories also remain lower than the pre-pandemic average. Analysts have warned that higher gasoline prices could stoke inflation once again and force consumers to cut back on spending to the detriment of the economy and stock market.