Illinois might allow parents to leave 12-year-olds home alone
Illinois might allow parents to leave 12-year-olds home alone
Illinois has the strictest latchkey law of any state. A new bill looks to change the minimum age parents can legally leave their children home alone from 14 to 12.
By Dylan Sharkey
Crime surge, police exodus put Illinois criminal justice reforms in crosshairs
Crime surge, police exodus put Illinois criminal justice reforms in crosshairs
Eliminating cash bail and regulating police officers were parts of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act that some lawmakers blame for a rise in crime and loss of police officers. Republican state lawmakers want it repealed, while Democrats say it just needs tweaks.
By Dylan Sharkey
Investigation finds Illinois politicians packed extra pork into $45 billion plan
Investigation finds Illinois politicians packed extra pork into $45 billion plan
An investigation found $4 billion in funds to be doled out by politicians at their discretion, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker controlling half of it. The extra pork was packed into Illinois’ $45 billion infrastructure plan, including $144 million for Madigan friends – some who never asked for it.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois Supreme Court ponders politicians using campaign cash for criminal defense
Illinois Supreme Court ponders politicians using campaign cash for criminal defense
Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez argued a publicly elected official facing corruption charges should not be able to use campaign funds for a legal defense. If the person is not running for office, the legal bills are a “personal” expense, he contended.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate
Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate
Illinois teachers currently face mandated COVID-19 testing if unvaccinated. The Illinois State Board of Education might remove that option depending on whether it follows Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate or a high court decision.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois lawmakers fail to replace their ethics watchdog
Illinois lawmakers fail to replace their ethics watchdog
The Illinois General Assembly is without a watchdog. The former legislative inspector general quit after saying she was just a paper tiger. Now lawmakers cannot agree on her replacement.
By Hannah Schmid
Amendment 1 would come between teachers, dedication to students
Amendment 1 would come between teachers, dedication to students
Amendment 1 would give Illinois teachers a permanent right to strike, taking more class time away from teachers who believe their place is with their students instead of on the picket line. Voters will decide Nov. 8.
Skokie is latest Illinois community paying pensions by borrowing
Skokie is latest Illinois community paying pensions by borrowing
The village of Skokie issued $176 million in new bonds to fund shortfalls in public safety pensions. The village joins a growing list of municipalities forced to borrow to meet “unsustainable” pension obligations.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago’s COVID-19 rules hit minority neighborhood restaurants harder
Chicago’s COVID-19 rules hit minority neighborhood restaurants harder
Restaurant owners in Chicago communities with low COVID-19 vaccination rates, mostly on the city’s South and West sides, say pushback against the vaccine proof mandate has hurt sales and cost them customers.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago alderman from Daley family implicated in bank embezzlement
Chicago alderman from Daley family implicated in bank embezzlement
Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson was implicated in the plea agreement of a former bank employee who federal prosecutors said played a critical role in the embezzlement scheme. She said millions in theft was covered up before the bank failed.
By Patrick Andriesen
Secret footage of Chicago alderman detailed in corruption probe
Secret footage of Chicago alderman detailed in corruption probe
Chicago Ald. Edward Burke was secretly videotaped in City Hall by federal authorities as part of the corruption probe into Illinois politics. Burke reportedly confided in an informant how they would avoid being caught.
By Patrick Andriesen
Amendment 1 would lock sky-high property taxes into Illinois Constitution
Amendment 1 would lock sky-high property taxes into Illinois Constitution
A change to the Illinois Constitution on the 2022 ballot would effectively transfer power over tax dollars from the people and their elected representatives to special interests. It would thwart any efforts to curb the nation’s second-highest property taxes.