Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois
This page will be updated daily to reflect developments related to the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.
5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers
5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers
Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout. They accepted an $1,800 raise for themselves, while only making significant cuts to education.
Pritzker lifts 10-person limit on religious gatherings after facing legal pressure
Pritzker lifts 10-person limit on religious gatherings after facing legal pressure
After being asked by the U.S. Supreme Court to reply to religious groups’ objections, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he was ending the 10-person limit on religious gatherings.
DAILY LINKS / 5.31.2020
The Center Square: Analyst says it’s Illinois’ private sector, not state government, being hollowed out Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot announces curfew as police SUVs flipped, set on fire in clashes with rioters during George Floyd protests in downtown The Center Square: In-person school for Illinois this fall still murky as parents may find added costs for PPEPritzker’s toilet removal contractor gets nearly $9M in COVID-19 work
Pritzker’s toilet removal contractor gets nearly $9M in COVID-19 work
The contractor who removed toilets from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mansion in a $331,000 property tax scandal received a nearly $9 million COVID-19 contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The contractor hadn’t worked with the Corps in 76 years.
Why Illinois state lawmakers are still in line for an $1,800 pay raise
Why Illinois state lawmakers are still in line for an $1,800 pay raise
Illinois lawmakers are still likely to receive a $1,800 pay raise. But some have tried their best to make no waves by giving themselves cover from backlash.
Unemployment claims exceed 1.15 million as Illinois heads into 10th week of lockdown
Unemployment claims exceed 1.15 million as Illinois heads into 10th week of lockdown
Nearly 1 in 4 Illinoisans find themselves out of work, more than all border states except Kentucky.
Unemployment mess leads lawmaker to push for Pritzker’s recall
Unemployment mess leads lawmaker to push for Pritzker’s recall
Citing the lack of action on the state unemployment claims system overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a state lawmaker begins the process to remove Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker from office.
The Illinois Politician
The Illinois Politician
Chicago may soon allow in-law flats, coach houses for first time since 1957
Chicago may soon allow in-law flats, coach houses for first time since 1957
Chicago introduces an ordinance to remove restrictions on accessory dwelling units, paving the way to encourage entrepreneurship and further combat the city’s affordable housing crisis
Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19
Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19
Very few people have been commuting to work since Illinois’ stay-at-home order began at the end of March, which could mean tax and fare troubles are ahead for Chicago’s mass transit.
Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers
Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers
With more than 1.1 million Illinoisans out of work, some of the highest-paid state lawmakers in the nation are in line for a raise – though some are fighting back.
Illinois lawmakers pass Election Day holiday for government workers only
Illinois lawmakers pass Election Day holiday for government workers only
Election Day 2020 would be a paid holiday for all government workers – at an unknown cost to already ailing local governments.
Illinois shed 762,200 jobs in April, 12.5 times greater than worst month on record
Illinois shed 762,200 jobs in April, 12.5 times greater than worst month on record
Record job losses hit the state during the first full month of COVID-19 economic fallout.