Get the latest news headlines from around Illinois.
NPR Illinois: Lawmakers Push To Waive Standardized Testing In 2021, Despite Feds’ Insistence
For millions of students in Illinois, attending school a year into the COVID-19 pandemic still means logging onto a computer or completing assignment packets. Though some students have adjusted well, many others have not had an easy time learning over the past year.
But while the federal government granted Illinois’ request to waive standardized tests last spring, President Joe Biden’s administration rejected the state’s bid this year.
Better Government Association: Corruption Investigation Hangs Over Mayoral Race in Western Suburb
Nearly a year-and-a-half after federal agents raided Lyons Village Hall as part of a sweeping corruption investigation, clean government has become a top issue in the west suburb’s upcoming election as controversial Mayor Chris Getty seeks a fourth term.
Getty, the son of a former mayor who went to federal prison for stealing from the village, is fending off a challenge from residents vowing reform. At the same time, the current mayor has spent nearly $100,000 in campaign funds on legal fees as part of the wide-ranging probe that has hit suburban mayors, state lawmakers, contractors and utility giant Commonwealth Edison.
The Center Square: Illinois lawmaker looks to curb carjackings by banning violent video games
Citing an increase in carjackings in his district, an Illinois lawmaker wants the state to ban the sale of violent video games, including the popular Grand Theft Auto.
Sponsored by state Rep. Marcus Evans Jr., D-Chicago, House Bill 3531 would change law restricting the sale or rental of violent video games to minors to prohibit the sale of all violent video games. It would also add the act of carjacking to the description of games that would be banned.
Chicago Tribune: Pandemic prompts state to offer break on overdue traffic fines and other fees for low-income residents
Low-income Illinois residents who owe outstanding fines or fees in Chicago and many suburbs won’t have the money taken out of their state income tax returns this year under a one-year deferral program Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday.
The program is expected to affect about 41,000 people, said Abdon Pallasch, a spokesman for Mendoza.
Belleville News-Democrat: Edwardsville’s new superintendent will have to pay up if he leaves the district early
The new superintendent of Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 will make $170,000 his first year.
On Monday, the school board hired Patrick Shelton to replace Superintendent Jason Henderson this summer. The board approved a three-year contract that night and provided a copy of the contract to the Belleville News-Democrat on Wednesday.