Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Illinois farmers raise concerns over tax implications from Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act is now law after President Joe Biden added his signature to the $740 billion bill that increases taxes to pay for a variety of things. Farmers have some concerns.
The measure allocates nearly $370 billion toward renewable energy subsidies. It also has health care provisions like caps on insulin for Medicare recipients and more. The measure will also increase taxes on incomes over $400,000, and imposes a 15% minimum income tax on business profits.
Capitol News Illinois: Pritzker talks session timeline, highlights infrastructure spending
In a series of downstate news conferences coinciding with the Illinois State Fair, Gov. JB Pritzker this week gave an update on the possibility of a special session, outlined new state infrastructure investments and announced a new program for some Illinoisans over age 55.
While the governor quickly announced he would call a special session after the landmark Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade was overturned in June, lawmakers have thus far not scheduled any return to the Capitol.
Chicago Tribune: Is CPS keeping student data safe? Chaos and confusion as district scrambles to comply with privacy law after recent breach.
Around this time last year, computer science teacher Maggie Valcik received some startling news. She had been looking forward to teaching a class using curriculum from Code.org as part of a Chicago Public Schools pilot program allowing middle school students to earn high school credit.
Shortly before school started, Valcik learned that Code.org was not approved for use by CPS. Never mind that the district’s teachers had been using the learn-to-code platform for years.
WTTW: Ald. Derrick Curtis Fined $1K for Using His City Email to Tout Lightfoot’s Reelection Kickoff
The Chicago Board of Ethics voted unanimously Monday to fine Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th Ward) $1,000 for violating the city’s ethics ordinance by using his official city of Chicago email account to advertise Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection kickoff.
Curtis, a Lightfoot ally, sent an email on June 2 to residents of his Far South Side ward that included an advertisement for the mayor’s re-election kickoff event at the Starlight Restaurant on June 8. The newsletter included an image that invited 100 residents to reserve a spot at a “supporter breakfast” by contacting Curtis’ ward office on a first-come, first-served basis.
WBEZ: Two ex-employees are banned from working again for the Chicago Park District
A Chicago Park District employee told investigators she was trying to eat lunch at a parks facility in June of last year when a male co-worker asked her about her love life — and tried to show her a sex video on his phone.
A complaint was filed quickly. But the human resources manager responsible for investigating sexual harassment accusations failed to do anything about the case, and the complaint languished until earlier this year, according to a recently released report from the park district’s interim inspector general, Alison Perona.