Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois Capitol set for $224M renovation. ‘Our plan is that this building will last another 150 years.’
Ornate chandeliers dangle from the Illinois state Capitol’s 20-foot-high ceilings, which are cloaked in elaborate decor and supported by pink scagliola columns. The clickety-clack of footsteps on beige, maroon and dark teal marble floors reverberate through its airy rotunda.
The elegant sights and sounds of the Capitol will soon be masked by dusty specks of brick and mortar and blaring power tool drills as the 19th century symbol of state government business undergoes a massive renovation this year to meet 21st century needs.
Journal Courier: 'Surprise' change in judicial circuit has judges watching, wondering
West-central Illinois judges are waiting to see what changes a “surprise” decision to create new judicial circuit boundaries will bring to the region.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 3138 into law on Friday. The legislation will divide the circuit that includes Morgan, Sangamon, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin and Scott counties into seven subcircuits. The number of judges in a subcircuit will be based on population or on the number of cases and a judge would have to live in the subcircuit rather than being “at-large.”
WCIA: McHenry Auditor launches campaign for Comptroller to stop “the corrupt Madigan Machine”
A Republican candidate who is likely to have significant financial backing has officially entered the race to challenge Comptroller Susana Mendoza (D-Illinois) for her seat in November.
McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi announced her campaign for Comptroller on Wednesday morning.
ABC 7 Chicago: Trial of Illinois State Sen. Tom Cullerton postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
The federal trial of Illinois State Sen. Tom Cullerton has been postponed.
It was supposed to begin Feb. 22, but has been delayed because of COVID-19 pandemic-related scheduling issues.
WBBM: Illinois General Assembly cancels 3 session days next week because of omicron
Lawmakers continue to stay away from Springfield.
The state House and Senate announced Wednesday that the three session days next week are cancelled because of the ongoing omicron surge, legislative leaders announced.
MyStateline.com: Inflation in the stateline worries local shoppers
The stateline has seen the cost of nearly everything go up since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Some community members said that they have had to cut down on unnecessary expenses due to inflation concerns. Gas, groceries, utilities and even basic essentials have gone through the roof.
The Center square: Illinois reduces quarantine time for schools
As Illinois goes through another surge in COVID-19 cases, state officials are cutting the recommended quarantine time for teachers and students in half.
The Illinois State Board of Education said effective immediately, the state will follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s guidance on shortening isolation and quarantine periods from 10 to 5 days. The guidance applies to all public and nonpublic schools that serve students in Pre-K through 12th grade.