Get the latest news from around Illinois.
WTTW: Bernie Sanders Backs Johnson for Mayor, as Firefighters Union, 5 Black Alderpeople Endorse Vallas
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Brandon Johnson in the Chicago mayor’s race Thursday, as the firefighters’ union and five Black City Council members backed Paul Vallas.
Sanders, an independent senator representing Vermont, joined fellow progressive U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusettes, in backing Johnson, a Cook County commissioner. U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina, also endorsed Johnson on Thursday. Clyburn, a prominent supporter of President Joe Biden, hails from the moderate wing of the national Democratic Party.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago police Superintendent David Brown officially steps down, first deputy takes over as interim boss
Chicago police Superintendent David Brown quietly stepped down Thursday, three years after he was picked to lead the Police Department.
First Deputy Superintendent Eric Carter, Brown’s second in command, will take over as interim superintendent, the department said in a news release.
The Center Square: Illinois House passes bill some say could ‘drive’ rideshare businesses out of the state
Some state lawmakers are looking to hold rideshare companies in Illinois to the same standard as other common carriers like taxis.
State Rep. Jennifer-Gong Gershowitz, D-Glenview, introduced House Bill 2231, which would set up a new standard for companies like Uber and Lyft by getting rid of an exemption that says rideshare companies are not responsible for their drivers.
WGN: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois fined $600K, lawmakers say it’s not enough
Lawmakers are calling for more answers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
This comes after the insurance company was fined $600,000 by the state, but both Republican and Democrats said that is far from enough.
ABC 7: Elgin mother can't claim son on taxes because government insists he's dead
A local mother is fighting to prove her son is not dead, and said she can’t claim her son as a dependent on her taxes because the government has him listed as deceased.
Eboney McDaniel said the mix-up should have been corrected five years ago, and the Social Security Administration and IRS are pointing fingers at each other while she just wants the government to acknowledge her son is alive.
25 News Now: Peoria leads state in monthly job growth, Twin Cities record lowest jobless rate
The Peoria area recorded the largest increase in job growth in Illinois, according to monthly data released Thursday, while Bloomington-Normal posted the state’s lowest unemployment rate.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) said the Peoria area gained 6,900 nonfarm jobs in January, compared to the same period a year ago. That’s up 4.2% compared to the same period a year ago, the state’s largest year-over-year percentage increase.