Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Brian Urlacher, Matt Forte, other Bears seek workers’ comp
Over the past 20 years, the Chicago Bears have spent nearly $12.5 million to settle workers’ compensation claims filed by 141 players. And now they’re pushing to change Illinois law in hopes they’d have to pay less money to injured players.
From the horrific spinal injury that ended Johnny Knox’s football career to the multiple traumas suffered by linebacker Lance Briggs, Bears players have agreed to settle injury claims in that period for an average of $87,985.
Associated Press: Schools: ‘Dire decisions’ could come without state budget
Superintendents in hundreds of Illinois school districts are imploring lawmakers and the governor to end the state’s budget stalemate, with one official saying schools could face “dire decisions” if a deal isn’t made.
Nearly 400 districts statewide are involved in an effort being driven by school leaders in Aurora, Naperville, Elgin and Sandoval, The Aurora Beacon-News reported. Some schools are using their marquees, while others are using social media to draw attention to the issues.
Belleville News-Democrat: Springfield disconnect can be fixed by laying off lawmakers
Sears is based in the Chicago suburbs. They once were housed in Chicago’s tallest building. You’d think our state leaders would be familiar with them and their woes.
Instead, state leaders demonstrate again just how disconnected they are from reality. They decide now is the time to push for a $15 minimum wage, up from $8.25 at present.
State Journal-Register: We want to believe
Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan sat down together last week and discussed the state budget.
Seeing as the two haven’t met to talk about the budget since December — or if they have, they didn’t make it public — this might seem like a promising, desperately-needed step toward resolving the 22-month budget impasse that has left social service agencies, universities and vendors dangling as they wonder what financial crumbs the state might throw at them this week.
News-Gazette: Shady watchdog still runs loose
How did a former state legislator spend $500,000 in campaign funds? So far, no one can — or will — reveal the details.
A hearing officer for a toothless state campaign watchdog is scheduled to issue a report soon on the questionable spending practices of Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino, the chief watchdog of state spending programs.
Whatever the result of the so-called oversight by the Illinois State Board of Elections, the biggest threat Mautino faces comes from a pending federal investigation into how he spent $500,000 in campaign funds over a 10-year period.
News-Gazette: Powerful pols got in on illegal state hiring scheme
A court-ordered report on the massive, multiyear illegal hiring conspiracy at the Illinois Department of transportation confirms what already had been reported in less detail.
Top aides to former Gov. Pat Quinn, powerful legislators and state bureaucrats ignored the law barring patronage hiring to put friends, family members and political supporters on the IDOT payroll “with little regard for the actual hiring need or whether the candidate was qualified to fill the stated duties of the job.”
Peoria Journal-Star: State House OKs corn as official state grain
A bill that recognizes corn as the official state grain passed the Illinois House on Friday.
Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, is sponsoring the bill that he said was inspired by the Pittsfield High School agriculture development class.