Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago area drops population for fourth straight year, census data show; Cook, DuPage and Lake counties also decline
New census data show the Chicago area lost population for the fourth consecutive year, continuing a statewide trend of decline that could threaten future federal funding, economic prosperity and political representation for those left behind.
The metro Chicago area lost an estimated 22,068 residents from 2017 to 2018, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday. While New York and Los Angeles also shrank, the Chicago region saw bigger decreases both in total numbers and in percent change; the area lost 0.23 percent of its population, more than twice New York’s 0.10 percent.
Champaign News-Gazette: Facts behind tax campaign slogans tell different tale
The pro- and anti-tax crowds in Illinois have never been on friendly terms, their conflicting philosophies representing a general disdain for each other.
But the ongoing battle over Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income-tax hike plan has thrown gasoline on the low-level fire that always burns between them.
Peoria Journal-Star: Tests, costs may be making Illinois’ teacher shortage worse
The high cost and restrictive nature of teacher licensure tests may be contributing to the teacher shortage, according to some education officials.
Members of the Illinois State Board of Education discussed ways to rectify this problem while still maintaining a high level of quality in the classroom at its meeting Wednesday.
Peoria Journal-Star: Regulation of personal robots might be in Illinois’ future
Futuristic technology could give Illinoisans their own personal robots that follow wherever they go, and carry supplies like groceries.
In anticipation of a summer rollout of this technology, the Illinois Legislature is moving a bill to regulate it.
Crain's Chicago Business: City housing market cool in first quarter
“We got so much activity, even when it was so cold out,” said Salinas, a Re/Max Partners agent. “We were having three showings a day.”
Chicago Tribune: Road repaving kicks off as Chicago sets goal to fix more streets than in 2018
Sunday’s snowstorm might have suggested otherwise, but it’s spring in Chicago. The sun is shining, birds are chirping — and street repaving season is here.
“Following a winter that feature(d) severe temperature fluctuations that made the streets more susceptible to potholes,” the city was expecting to step up its repaving efforts this year, according to a Chicago Department of Transportation news release.
Chicago Tribune: Lawsuit seeks to block use of up to $1.3 billion in public money on Lincoln Yards project
Painting the controversial Lincoln Yards property tax subsidy as the most egregious example of the city using public money to bolster wealthy developers at the expense of resource-starved minority neighborhoods, activists filed suit Wednesday to try to stop the funds from going to the North Side mega-development.
The lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court by Grassroots Collaborative and Raise Your Hand strikes at the way Chicago mayors for decades have used tax-increment financing money. The proposed TIF package of up to $1.3 billion for Lincoln Yards, which is set to cover 55 acres of prime North Side real estate between Lincoln Park and Bucktown, provided the groups with the high-profile target they think they need to force reforms.
Northwest Herald: Woodstock City Council raises water/sewer rates by 5%, approves incentive deal for auto dealership
The Woodstock City Council on Tuesday approved an incentive deal for Kunes Country Auto Group and raised residents’ water and sewer rates by 5%.
Kunes Country bought the Benoy Motors site, 1790 S. Eastwood Drive, last year and is planning a $3.6 million expansion project. The auto group wants to expand its building from 20,660 square feet to about 27,000 square feet.
Daily Herald: McHenry County Board authorizes $15 million property tax rebate
McHenry County homeowners can apply to recoup just under 30 percent of last year’s county government property tax bill.
The county board Tuesday voted 18-6 authorizing a $15 million property tax rebate from Valley Hi Nursing Home’s abundant reserves — an issue several board members have talked about for years.
Decatur Herald & Review: City, park district to take 'comprehensive' look at Lake Decatur management
With boating season approaching, city and park district officials are preparing to take a big-picture look at management of the Nelson Park lakefront.
The park district board of commissioners and City Manager Scot Wrighton on Wednesday discussed how gas sales could continue to be offered on the Lake Decatur shoreline, but they indicated that they could be exploring more issues in the near future.
The Southern: Perry County Board proposes $1.3 million in cuts, which would force layoffs and cuts to services
Members of Perry County Board proposed an amended budget at a meeting Tuesday that includes $1,265,561 in cuts from the original proposal for 2018-2019.
County Treasurer Mary Jane Craft and County Clerk Josh Gross say adopting the budget will lead to staff reductions and cuts to services.