Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Illinois could get $13.2 billion from federal government, $7.5 billion for state, $5.7 billion for locals
Illinois’ forthcoming budget from Gov. J.B. Pritzker won’t include tax increases, but continues historic levels of spending while relying on federal funding, sweeping funds from cigarette taxes and other budget maneuvers.
The governor said Wednesday in Quincy the budget he’ll present is balanced.
Associated Press: Union approves deal with Chicago schools to return to class
The Chicago Teachers Union has approved a deal with the nation’s third-largest school district to get students back to class during the coronavirus pandemic, union officials announced early Wednesday.
The vote, which closed before midnight, ends the possibility of an immediate teacher lockout or strike. The agreement follows months of negotiations with Chicago Public Schools, which had intensified in recent weeks, with plans that included more teacher vaccinations and metrics to allow school closures when COVID-19 infections spike.
Crain's Chicago Business: Restaurants can serve more customers—just in time for a big night
Capitol News Illinois: Illinois House adopts new rules on partisan lines
The Illinois House adopted new rules on Wednesday that Democrats say are intended to make the legislative process more transparent, but Republicans argue they don’t go far enough in reforming how the General Assembly operates.
The new rules represent one of the first attempts by newly-elected House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch to break from the practices and traditions of his predecessor, former Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan’s opponents claimed he exercised vast authority to decide which bills would be assigned to committees, which ones would come to the floor for a vote, and which ones would not.
State Journal-Register: Illinois House adopts new rules under Welch
The Illinois House adopted new procedural rules along party lines Wednesday that make changes to how the chamber will function.
As COVID-19 continues to be a public health risk, the House adopted rules allowing committees to meet remotely. The Senate adopted remote committee meeting rules last spring. Lawmakers will have to come back to Springfield to pass legislation, however, unless state law is changed.
The Center Square: Illinois unemployment offices remain closed due, in part, to ‘threats of violence’
In addition to concerns about COVID-19 transmission, Illinois’ top unemployment officer says the agency’s offices remain closed due to threats of violence.
In a legislative hearing, multiple lawmakers asked Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards why the state’s unemployment offices have yet to reopen.
Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot offers Chicago restaurants some relief, but trade group calls it a ‘baby step’
Chicago restaurants and bars can serve more indoor customers over Valentine’s and President’s Day weekend, but the Illinois Restaurant Association called it only a “baby step” toward the reopening the group seeks.
Restaurants and bars fighting for survival had hoped Mayor Lori Lightfoot would raise indoor capacity to 50%.
WBEZ: CPD Identifies 20 ‘Weaknesses’ In Its Response To Last Summer’s Protests, But Doesn’t Mention Brutality Allegations
Protesters in Chicago claimed they were brutalized by police, business owners had their stores ransacked and Chicago cops complained of a lack of planning and leadership over the summer during the most stressful days of their policing careers.
Now, the Chicago Police Department has completed its own assessment of how it handled the protests and looting.