Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Editorial: Former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s pension illustrates the broken system
A suburban mayor once explained why voters’ eyes glaze over when stories of pension debt hit the headlines. It’s difficult, he said, to absorb numbers such as “$141 billion in unfunded pension liabilities” and to understand how it affects actual pocketbooks.
The mayor suggested the media give more specific examples of how the system gets strained — the healthy 52-year-old state trooper who can retire with full benefits at such a young age or the township official with a cushy job collecting benefits after just 20 years or the lawmaker who becomes eligible for a pension after only eight years in office.
State Journal-Register: Madigan successor who resigned after 3 days refuses pay
The hand-picked successor to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan who abruptly resigned this week under pressure has decided not to accept a paycheck for taking the job for three days, the state Comptroller’s Office revealed Friday.
Former state Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt in an email declined to take the salary he was entitled to under state law, according to Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who had called on Kodatt to not take the full month’s pay of $5,788.66
Capitol News Illinois: Governor signs criminal justice overhaul backed by Black Caucus
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a criminal justice omnibus bill backed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Monday, Feb. 22, abolishing cash bail, overhauling police certification and reforming use-of-force standards among numerous other provisions.
Pritzker signed the legislation, House Bill 3653, during an event at Chicago State University alongside members of his administration and lawmakers from the Black Caucus.
Associated Press: Education and job training program for youth expanded
Illinois officials are expanding a program that provides training for young people who face barriers to traditional paths to education, training and employment.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced this week that applications for funding are available on the agency’s website.