Get the latest news headlines from around Illinois.
WBBM: Should virtual city council meetings be allowed permanently? Illinois lawmakers may decide soon
A vestige of these coronavirus pandemic times could be here to stay, as one of the Illinois Municipal League’s legislative priorities this fall is to permanently allow virtual city council meetings.
Right now, this can only occur under a disaster declaration
WTVO: Proposed nursing home reform bill would change how Illinois facilities get paid
Nursing homes across Illinois were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services wants to change how those facilities claim Medicare money.
Currently, nursing homes are reimbursed based on claims they file.
Daily Herald: Report: Illinois nursing homes in crisis with staff shortages
A new report released Wednesday says staffing shortages at nursing homes in Illinois have reached crisis proportions and that people of color are most at risk of suffering the consequences.
That’s because those individuals are more likely to live in understaffed facilities or in “ward” rooms with three or four beds per room, the report notes, a fact that became tragically evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when Black and brown Medicaid patients in nursing homes were 40% more likely to die of the disease than white patients.
Crain's Chicago Business: Inside Pritzker's push to steer electric vehicle investment to Illinois
WDBO: Illinois has made more than $1B from marijuana sales taxes so far this year
Illinois continues to make big bucks from the sale of marijuana, topping $1 billion in the first nine months of 2021.
State data reveals marijuana sales for each month of the year have topped the previous month, making weed a bona fide cash cow for the Land of Lincoln.
Better Government Association: New Podcast, ‘The Madigan Rule,’ Takes Listeners on a Journey About Former IL House Speaker
The Better Government Association has launched a new podcast centered around one of Illinois’ most powerful politicians, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
“The Madigan Rule” is produced by the BGA and longtime radio host Justin Kaufmann. It features guests who knew or worked closely with Madigan and discusses major policies.
WAND: State looks to bring unclaimed property worth millions to owners
Illinois officials are looking to bring unclaimed property worth millions of dollars to its owners.
Letters were mailed out by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs to tens of thousands of Illinoisans who have unclaimed property. Unclaimed items can range from a final paycheck a person forgot to cash to a refund mailed to the wrong address.