Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Education expert analyzes Invest in Kids’ record-breaking numbers for final year
Despite record-breaking enrollment for its final year, Illinois lawmakers have yet to address the expired Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program.
There were rumblings that the General Assembly may take up the program during the spring legislative session, but that has yet to happen.
The Chicago Tribune: With homelessness on the rise, the Supreme Court weighs bans on sleeping outdoors
The Supreme Court wrestled with major questions about the growing issue of homelessness on Monday as it considered whether cities can punish people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking.
It’s the most significant case before the high court in decades on the issue, and comes as record numbers of people are without a permanent place to live in the United States.
Chicago Sun-Times: Judge OKs $12.25 million class-action settlement over Hilco's Little Village dust storm
Thousands of Little Village residents are eligible for payments after a federal judge approved a more than $12 million class-action settlement Monday for the botched implosion at a former coal plant that left the community blanketed in dust in 2020.
Hilco Redevelopment and its subcontractors consented to the settlement, which will thwart potential future lawsuits from those residents covered by the agreement.
CBS Chicago: Mayor Johnson does not address how ShotSpotter alerted CPD to Officer Luis Huesca shooting
According to dispatch recordings, a ShotSpotter sensor alerted police to the shooting that killed Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca nearly 5 minutes before the first 911 caller early Sunday morning.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday was asked repeatedly about this revelation and his plan to scrap ShotSpotter technology.
The Center Square: Legislator warns of subject to appropriation ‘blank checks,’ audit findings
Some are warning their fellow Illinois state legislators that passing bills that are “subject to appropriation” could lead to taxpayers covering “blank checks” and to audit findings for state agencies.
Last week, amid the 324 bills passed by the Illinois House, several included programs and initiatives for state agencies that are “subject to appropriation.”
WTTW: New Bill Would Make It a Felony for Protesters to Block Major Roads in Illinois
Protesters in Illinois blocking major roadways could be charged with a felony if proposed legislation passes in the General Assembly.
The bill (HB 5819) comes on the heels of recent pro-Palestinian protests that blocked traffic on I-190 near Chicago O’Hare International Airport, causing many travelers to pull their luggage along the freeway to catch their flights.
The Daily Herald: Bears to unveil plans for domed stadium on lakefront Wednesday
The Bears will unveil plans for a new enclosed stadium on the Chicago lakefront during a news conference Wednesday at Soldier Field, the team announced Monday.
According to a news release, the plan will move ahead in collaboration with city officials and stakeholders. The Bears are planning for “a state-of-the-art, publicly owned enclosed stadium, along with additional green and open space with access to the lakefront for families and fans, on the Museum Campus.”