In an exclusive interview before an expected Wednesday announcement, IDHS Secretary Grace Hou outlined a “repurposing and restructuring” of Choate, located in rural Anna, about 120 miles southeast of St. Louis. That process will start with the relocation of 123 residents with developmental disabilities who entered the facility voluntarily — roughly half the current population.
Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Ex-politician says bribery, official misconduct statutes are unconstitutional
The 80-year-old man once called the “Velvet Hammer” for his successful dominance of Illinois politics is arguing the state’s bribery and official misconduct statutes are unconstitutional ahead of his corruption trial.
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021. From 1997 to 2021, he served as speaker of the Illinois House, making him one of the state’s most powerful politicians. He faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery and official misconduct as part of a federal indictment. Madigan said he was just doing his job as a politician and that the state’s laws are overly broad.
Chicago Sun-Times: Plan to move Taste of Chicago near Navy Pier draws City Council backlash
Lame-duck Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to hold Taste of Chicago on the same July 4 weekend as NASCAR’s first street-course race — but move Taste to a park near Navy Pier — hit a wall of opposition Tuesday.
Chicago Tribune: Legislation aims to deter book bans at public libraries by withholding grants
Legislation aimed at discouraging public libraries from banning books has been introduced in the Democratic-controlled Illinois General Assembly amid largely partisan battles around the country over what books and school curricula are suitable for children.
The bill was initiated by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who joined a nationwide Democratic chorus criticizing officials, mostly in red states, for trying to get libraries to remove books, often because of LGBTQ content.
WCIA: A Danville Park could get $12 million for upgrades
Danville is looking at bids to make improvements to Garfield Park. They narrowed it down to the lowest bid: $12.6 million. That will cover the pool, mechanical building, bathhouse, and slide system.
We spoke with some people who feel it’s too much money for the project. But one park neighbor and lifelong resident say it is just what the community needs.
The Pantagraph: Illinois relocating half of patients from abuse-plagued mental health facility
The Illinois Department of Human Services plans to dramatically reduce the number of patients with developmental disabilities who live at the embattled state-run Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center.
The Center Square: Measure at Illinois statehouse proposes sex-ed curriculum changes
A proposed measure in Springfield aims to set up a task force to examine how certain subjects are taught in Illinois schools.
SB 2354 would create the Redefining Science in Elementary Schools Task Force Act. The group would focus on identifying age-appropriate anatomy, physiology, and nutrition education materials at Illinois grade schools.