Tricky Halloween rules are no treat in Illinois cities

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2021

Put on a costume, grab a bag and get free treats? It’s not so simple in Illinois, where cities’ Halloween rules restrict the simple fun.

TAGS: COVID-19, Halloween, Illinois

Pritzker backs off COVID-19 vax deadline amid union opposition

By Dylan Sharkey

10/18/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker couldn’t reach an agreement with the public employee unions representing workers in group settings, so he delayed the COVID-19 vaccination deadline until Nov. 30. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s vaccination fight with the police union escalates.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot, unions, vaccine mandate

Illinois’ ‘extreme’ risk of gerrymandering becomes reality through congressional map

By Robert Brutvan

10/16/2021

The Illinois congressional map proposal released by Democrats has districts that are far from compact, snaking to catch and avoid populations. Republicans label it the ‘Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan.’

TAGS: gerrymandering, Illinois, legislative map, redistricting

Illinois state lawmakers get a little more ethical, but a lot more is needed

By Dylan Sharkey

10/12/2021

The new Illinois ethics law brings a little change to the nation’s second-most corrupt state, but what is needed are the stronger reforms lawmakers promised after ousting scandal-plagued former House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: ethics reform, JB Pritzker

Lightfoot lets Chicago workers out of vaccine mandate if they pay to get tested until 2022

By Robert Brutvan

10/12/2021

Unvaccinated Chicago city employees must be tested twice a week, at their own expense, to avoid losing their paychecks.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate

Pritzker says continued COVID decline could end his mask mandate

By Patrick Andriesen

10/12/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker hinted Illinoisans could see indoor mask mandates lifted if state coronavirus transmissions continue to fall. He wouldn’t give a specific target.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks

Remaining Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment

By Patrick Andriesen

09/22/2021

More than 18 months after Illinois Department of Employment Security offices closed their doors to Illinoisans, all state job centers have reopened for in-person assistance. Job seekers need an appointment, though.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois lawmakers ask if school mask mandate discipline went too far

By Robert Brutvan

09/16/2021

The Illinois State Board of Education might have overstepped its authority by yanking recognition of schools that defied a statewide mask mandate. State lawmakers have asked the board to clarify those rules.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, masks, public schools

Some Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment only

By Patrick Andriesen

09/16/2021

Nearly a year and a half after IDES closed job centers statewide, the unemployment agency began reopening offices for in-person assistance. So far 13 offices have reopened, with only one in Chicago.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

COVID-19 vaccination proof might be required to dine out in Chicago

By Robert Brutvan

09/13/2021

A group of Chicago aldermen have called for residents to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status before allowing them to attend indoor venues such as restaurants, bars and theaters

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, Vax Pass