Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois Senate approves $50.6 billion state budget as Democrats finally find common ground
The Illinois Senate late Thursday approved a $50.6 billion state budget as Democrats finally found common ground after missing an initial self-imposed deadline and engaging in several extra days of deliberations.
The measure now goes to the House, which is expected to vote on it this weekend.
Chicago Sun-Times: More than 100 Chicago police officials kept their jobs after making false statements, despite department’s ‘you lie, you die’ rule
More than 100 current and former Chicago Police Department officials were allowed to stay on the job after making false statements, despite a rule that says dismissal is the “appropriate disciplinary penalty,” City Hall’s inspector general reported Thursday.
When former Mayor Lori Lightfoot was on the Chicago Police Board, she called the department’s Rule 14 the “you lie, you die” rule.
CBS Chicago: Chicago city officials discuss safety plans ahead of Memorial Day weekend
City officials announced Chicago’s summer safety plan on Thursday in preparation for the Memorial Day weekend.
Mayor Brandon Johnson was flanked by top public safety officials during a news conference at the 63rd Street Beach. CBS 2’s Tara Molina was there for the announcement where officials said police patrols will be increased this weekend.
Capitol News: Lawmakers OK bill to limit constitutional lawsuits to Cook, Sangamon County
Democrats who control the General Assembly muscled through a last-minute measure that will require any constitutional challenge to state laws to be filed in either Cook or Sangamon counties.
The Illinois House on Thursday gave final passage to a set of amendments to House Bill 3062, a measure supporters say is intended to put a stop to what they describe as “venue shopping.” The Senate originally passed the amendments on Friday, May 19, by a vote of 37-16. The House concurred with those amendments by votes of 69-35. It clears the way for the measure to head to Gov. JB Pritzker.
State Journal-Register: Illinois employee stole $1.6M meant for child care and gambled it away: Federal complaint
A former employee of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been charged in federal court with stealing more than $1 million meant for child care and gambling it on slot machines, according to a federal complaint unsealed last week.
Shauntele Pridgeon, 54, was employed as a Social Service Community Planner with the DCFS from 2015 to August of last year. She was tasked with reviewing and approving day care providers for children under DCFS’ supervision, according to the complaint.
WCIA: Racism Free School Act awaits governor’s signature after approval from state lawmakers
State legislators have approved a measure that would require school districts to create a policy on discrimination and harassment based on race, color, or national origin, as well as track incidents of discrimination within their districts.
The Racism Free Schools Act, or Senate Bill 90, was approved Thursday by the Illinois General Assembly. The legislation now goes to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature before being enacted into law.