Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Corrupt ex-Teamsters boss put state Sen. Thomas Cullerton on payroll in do-nothing job, federal charges allege
Illinois state Sen. Thomas E. Cullerton has been indicted by federal authorities on embezzlement charges alleging he pocketed almost $275,000 in salary and benefits from the Teamsters union despite doing little or no work.
The disclosure of the charges against Cullerton, D-Villa Park, came three days after former longtime Teamsters boss John Coli Sr. pleaded guilty to extortion charges and agreed to cooperate with federal authorities.
Chicago Tribune: What to do about property taxes? Gov. J.B. Pritzker asks a task force to figure it out
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill Friday creating a task force to make recommendations on ways to alleviate the rising property tax burden on Illinois homeowners.
The bipartisan Property Tax Relief Task Force will “review the entirety of our property tax system, study best practices in other states and make short- and long-term recommendations” by the end of this year, Pritzker said in a statement Friday.
Rockford Register-Star: Rockford, Beloit eye casino competition across stateline
Just months ago, odds were long against a casino ever coming here after decades of disappointment. But skillful political maneuvering, and the stroke of Gov. JB Pritzker’s pen, started a 120-day deadline countdown.
Now, with less than 12 weeks to send a casino recommendation, or recommendations, to the Illinois Gaming Board, Mayor Tom McNamara says the conversations have changed from whether Rockford will ever land a casino to where it should be located and how the city can maximize the benefits.
Chicago Tribune: Uber’s bike unit sues city over Emanuel deal to let Lyft expand Divvy system
Uber’s bike-sharing division argues in a federal lawsuit against the city that then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration should have requested competitive bids before awarding an exclusive bike-rental contract to the company owned by Uber competitor Lyft.
The suit by Uber-owned JUMP calls on a federal judge to void the city’s exclusive contract with the Divvy rental system, which is owned by Lyft. JUMP could then bid for the deal if new Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration accepted proposals.
Daily Southtown: Ex-Calumet City Dist. 155 superintendent — once Illinois’ highest paid educator — is under investigation: sheriff’s office
The former superintendent of Calumet City School District 155 is under investigation by the Cook County sheriff’s office, a spokeswoman said.
The agency launched its probe into Troy Paraday around the time he was fired last October after an internal school district investigation alleged multiple instances of misconduct.
Daily Herald: Water bill hikes on tap in Grandwood Park, Fox Lake Hills
Water bills for residents in Grandwood Park and Fox Lake Hills in north central Lake County likely will increase as part of the price of receiving Lake Michigan water.
The expected hike of $7.78 per month will affect 2,237 customers in Grandwood Park and 631 in Fox Lake Hills. Lake County operates the systems in the two unincorporated areas and the water is supplied by the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency.
Belleville News-Democrat: Collinsville residents call township ‘embarrassing’ after chaotic, combative meetings
Residents lined up at a recent Collinsville Township meeting to air grievances about how the township is being run, after weeks of combative meetings and the board’s failure to pass a budget.
Since the beginning of July, the township has been meeting to attempt to resolve financial matters resulting from its failure to approve a budget 90 days into its fiscal year — a violation of Illinois Law.