Read the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce says state needs growth strategy, not progressive tax increase
The leader of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce said Gov. J.B. Pritzker doesn’t like for black businesses to have an opinion about the proposed income tax amendment that would change the state’s flat tax rate to a structure with higher rates for higher earners.
Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Larry Ivory said it is the wrong time for changing Illinois flat income tax to one with higher rates for higher earners.
Chicago Tribune: West suburban highway boss charged in $280,000 kickback scheme involving excavation company that did little work
The elected head of the Bloomingdale Township highway commission has been charged in federal court in Chicago with taking $280,000 in kickbacks from the owner of an excavation company in exchange for approving road contracts for road work that in most cases was never performed.
Robert Czernek was charged in a 20-count indictment made public Thursday with taking the kickbacks from Debra Fazio, owner of Bloomingdale-based Bulldog Earth Movers Inc., over a period of more than eight years.
Chicago Sun-Times: Key CPS official charged with lying to the FBI
A key Chicago Public Schools official with close ties to the CEO has been charged with lying to the FBI about a controversial private custodial contract worth at least $1 billion, federal court records show.
Pedro Soto, until days ago chief of staff to CPS CEO Janice Jackson, allegedly made a false statement Dec. 17 about whether he had given out “nonpublic information” to an unnamed individual during a bidding process. He allegedly told the FBI, “he would want to get information, but I don’t think I gave him anything.”
Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago takes first formal step toward getting a casino
The flashy RFI and an accompanying economic summary, which in some ways resemble the city’s pitch for Amazon’s HQ2 a couple of years ago, do not say where the facility should be located, how big it should be or whether mini-casinos should be allowed at the city’s two airports. Instead, it says the city is seeking industry “feedback, suggestions and comments” before proceeding to the actual bid process, known as a request for proposal.
Chicago Sun-Times: CPS board votes to keep police in schools despite student protests
Chicago’s school board voted Wednesday to renew its contract with the Chicago Police Department for one year despite the demands of Black students who said they’ve felt unsafe learning amid a police presence.
The decision marked the culmination for the foreseeable future of a tumultuous year of fierce protests that picked up last fall and rose to a weekly occurrence this summer. When the Chicago Board of Education elected not to terminate the police contract in a split vote in June, activists’ hopes remained alive knowing another vote was coming later in the summer.
Daily Herald: McHenry County Board members approve new budget policy after heated debate over role of chairman
After a heated debate Wednesday morning, McHenry County Board members approved a new budget policy that omits the county board chairman when listing the department heads who should be involved in various aspects of budget proceedings.
In a special meeting, county board members voted, 17-4, to approve the new budget policy, which passed through the county’s finance and audit committee in May but was never brought before the full board for approval.