Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a measure Wednesday to consolidate 649 downstate police and fire pension funds into two funds in an effort to boost investment returns and ease pension costs for municipalities and taxpayers.

Outside of Chicago, those 649 funds have about $12 billion in combined unfunded pension liabilities. The average funding ratio for those funds was about 55 percent. Some local governments’ entire share of property taxes goes directly into pensions. In some municipalities, it’s not enough.

With federal investigators swarming all around them, the City Council tried again Wednesday to prove legendary alderman Paddy Bauler was wrong when he said, “Chicago ain’t ready for reform.”

The second round of ethics reforms since Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office is tailor-made to end the days of “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch your back” — at least when it comes to City Hall lobbying.

Shortly after fending off a push by black aldermen to delay sales of recreational marijuana, Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced an ordinance Wednesday that lays out the rules for pot consumption spaces in Chicago.

While the state law allows municipalities to license both dispensaries and smoke shops to permit the consumption of marijuana, Lightfoot’s proposal doesn’t include rules for the existing pot shops. Consumption rules for those sites will be determined later.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is keeping nearly $30,000 in campaign contributions from a 2016 fundraiser hosted by now-indicted 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke — a departure from the approach taken by her political mentor, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Foxx attended the fundraiser at Burke’s Southwest Side home in August 2016, but the two were tightlipped about the details of the event. Foxx’s campaign said it donated the money personally given by Burke and his family to two nonprofit groups.

Some Grundy County residents have taken notice of their annual property assessments, arguing values have skyrocketed without cause.

The issue was highlighted by a number of Morris residents. According to their assessments, some land values drastically increased this year. Records obtained by the newspaper show a handful of stark increases in assessments, including one property that went from an assessment of $79,942 in 2018, to $128,798 in 2019 with no property improvements. Another assessment went from $74,554 in 2018 to $115,272 in 2019, also with no improvements completed.

The Fairview Heights City Council voted 7-3 Tuesday to allow cannabis related businesses to come to the city. Aldermen made the decision quickly with almost no debate on the issue.

Fairview Heights joins five other metro-east communities that will allow cannabis sales next year when recreational marijuana use for adults is legal.

The Joliet City Council and mayor are at it again, divided into two camps that resurface over politically charged issues.

This week the council stalemated over its proposed 2020 budget at a meeting in which council member Jan Quillman delivered an impassioned claim of blamelessness in an ongoing investigation into a police officer’s complaints against her and Mayor Bob O’Dekirk.