Pritzker emergency No. 23 comes as Colorado drops masks
Pritzker emergency No. 23 comes as Colorado drops masks
Illinois is far from finished with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide COVID-19 mandates, but another Democratic governor just said the emergency is over and the state shouldn’t be making people wear masks anymore.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois teachers sue Pritzker over COVID-19 school mandates
Illinois teachers sue Pritzker over COVID-19 school mandates
A class-action lawsuit filed by 88 Illinois teachers seeks to block Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mandates on shots, tests and vaccinations for school personnel.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago city leader with ties to Daley indicted for embezzlement
Chicago city leader with ties to Daley indicted for embezzlement
A Chicago city administrator responsible for accountability faces charges of falsifying bank loans, lying to regulators and taking a $130,000 personal loan he never repaid while on the bank’s board.
By Patrick Andriesen
‘Home Alone’ in real life could land you in an Illinois jail
‘Home Alone’ in real life could land you in an Illinois jail
Illinois sees leaving a child younger than 14 ‘Home Alone’ as a crime, one that state employees have vigorously applied.
By Dylan Sharkey
Holiday scratch-offs are no gift to Illinois schools
Holiday scratch-offs are no gift to Illinois schools
Some states promote holiday scratchers as a way to help schools, but in Illinois that claim would land you on the naughty list.
By Dylan Sharkey
Sales taxes are holiday gift that keeps on taking
Sales taxes are holiday gift that keeps on taking
Illinois imposes some of the nation’s highest sales taxes on holiday shoppers, and this year online shopping will no longer offer a break.
By Dylan Sharkey
Springfield’s Bad Santas can’t break their sin tax habits
Springfield’s Bad Santas can’t break their sin tax habits
Taxing people’s bad habits is a tough way to raise reliable revenue, but Illinois keeps trying to do just that.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois State Police audit shows $2.3 million went missing
Illinois State Police audit shows $2.3 million went missing
Illinois State Police are facing audits showing $2.3 million is missing as lawmakers seek answers about old computers and late firearms IDs. Also, lawsuits and an indictment outline theft and sex harassment claims at the agency managing troopers.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois may face new COVID-19 restrictions as ‘high alert’ sounds
Illinois may face new COVID-19 restrictions as ‘high alert’ sounds
Proof of vaccination may be required in Chicago to enter restaurants, gyms, theaters and other public spaces. So far, the state is not considering a similar move but Illinois is on ‘high alert’ regarding COVID-19 transmission.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker bans outside donors ahead of Illinois Supreme Court races
Pritzker bans outside donors ahead of Illinois Supreme Court races
Gov. J.B. Pritzker banned ‘dark money’ in Illinois’ judicial elections after record spending unseated a longtime Madigan ally from the Illinois Supreme Court. Voters will decide more high court vacancies soon.
By Patrick Andriesen
Democrats’ legislative remap dilutes Illinois minority voting power, lawsuits claim
Democrats’ legislative remap dilutes Illinois minority voting power, lawsuits claim
The plaintiffs representing Black and Latino voters argued Illinois Democrats’ new legislative maps are gerrymandered to break up voting blocs, diluting minority voting power during the next decade.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago aldermen call timeout on sports betting over casino worries
Chicago aldermen call timeout on sports betting over casino worries
Aldermen are worried sports betting taxes will yield chump change while damaging the prospects for new casinos in Chicago. They are calling for a delay in the action.
By Dylan Sharkey