Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Fitch: Illinois making progress but still lags the country for budget stability
A report by Fitch Ratings says Illinois’ budget is improving but an economic slowdown and inflation could pose a risk.
The report found that state budgets across the U.S. are in a much better position coming into fiscal 2023 and are structured to combat inflationary and macro pressures over the next several months.
CBS Chicago: Illinois faces 'huge shortage' of teachers, other academic professionals ahead of the school year
The final two weeks of summer break is upon us for Chicago Public School students.
As they eek out the last bit of summer fun, those in charge of running the schools are racing to fill positions. CBS 2’s Chris Tye reports on the shortage of educators statewide, despite efforts to get more applicants interested.
WBBM: FBI approaches state Sen. Elgie Sims — criminal justice reforms sponsor — in criminal investigation, report shows
Illinois state Sen. Elgie Sims — the sponsor of sweeping criminal justice reforms passed in 2021 — was approached by the FBI this spring about an investigation into a company that makes police body cameras, a published report said.
The Tribune reported the FBI is investigating whether Axon Enterprise tried to improperly influence Sims while he was writing the legislation, which requires every police officer in the state to wear a body camera by the year 2025.
WIFR: Permanent mail-in voting begins August 10
According to the U.S. Census, over 69% of voters used non-traditional voting methods in the 2020 election-nearly a third more than in 2016.
As a result, Illinois’ governing body is making voting easier for citizens going forward.
The Center Square: Gov. Pritzker defends end to cash bail despite law enforcement criticisms
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is defending the SAFE-T Act despite criticisms from law enforcement statewide that it will make Illinois less safe.
The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, or SAFE-T Act, abolishes cash bail beginning in January 2023, overhauls police training, and includes other measures.