Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Pritzker signs bill limiting constitutional challenges to two counties; opponents call it tyrannical
Effective immediately, Illinoisans wanting to challenge the constitutionality of state laws or executive actions in state court can only file litigation in two of the state’s 102 counties.
The contentious measure passed both chambers along party lines and says citizens can only file litigation in state court in either Sangamon or Cook counties. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the bill Tuesday.
Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs $50.4 billion state budget but vetoes legislators’ pay hike that exceeded state limit
Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday signed a $50.4 billion state budget that boosts funding for education from preschool through college, but was also forced to use his veto pen to dial back pay raises for lawmakers and other state officials so that the hikes comply with state law.
Pritzker’s last-minute tweak provides for 5% raises, the maximum allowed, instead of the 5.5% increase that was included in the budget passed last month by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. Lawmakers will now be making $89,250 in the budget year that begins July 1, instead of $89,675. The change reduces the overall budget by less than $200,000.
Chicago Sun-Times: 10 years after mass CPS school closings, enrollment is even worse. What can be done?
Ten years ago, organizer Brandon Johnson stood at the front of a Chicago Teachers Union protest against the city’s plan to close 50 underenrolled public schools. He was the union’s emcee of choice back then.
“I think you might be able to guess where we’re going,” he told the crowd of thousands at Daley Plaza ahead of a march.
WTTW: Considering New Stadium Options, Bears Restart Dialogue with Johnson
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren met Wednesday, a clear sign that relations between the city and the Monsters of the Midway have thawed, which may set the stage for talks to keep the team in Chicago, if not at Soldier Field.
News of the meeting came hours after Johnson told reporters that he was open to having conversations with team officials, who announced Friday that they were no longer singularly focused on building a stadium on the former Arlington Heights racetrack, which the Bears purchased for $197.2 million in February.
Daily Herald: A bear in the suburbs? Police investigate sighting near Gurnee Mills mall
The Chicago football team may not be the only bears exploring a move to the suburbs.
Gurnee police said a real bear may have been spotted near Gurnee Mills mall on Wednesday.
Chicago Sun-Times: Former state Sen. Terry Link testifies about his cooperation with FBI — which he once denied
Terry Link once publicly denied playing a central role in the federal bribery scandal that ended the career — and freedom — of fellow lawmaker Luis Arroyo.
Hours after the feds announced bribery charges in October 2019 against then-state Rep. Arroyo, the Chicago Sun-Times confirmed that Link, a state senator, had worn a wire on Arroyo while seeking a bribe.