Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Associated Press: State high court denies Gov. Rauner bid for union contract appeal
The Illinois Supreme Court has declined a request to bypass a lower court and immediately take up Gov. Bruce Rauner’s case for imposing pay and working conditions on members of the state’s largest public employees’ union.
The Republican and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees state council received notice Tuesday that the court wouldn’t accept a direct appeal over the validity of a state labor ruling.
Belleville News-Democrat: Eliminating duplicates from Illinois’ 6,968 layers of government
On Thursday we will see Oliver W. Hamilton sentenced after using East St. Louis Township as his personal ATM, so what better way to celebrate than by eliminating some excess, corruption-prone townships.
The Illinois House almost unanimously passed a bill last week to allow voters or a township board to dissolve township governments when they are mainly reflections of a local city’s boundaries. Belleville Township will cease to exist May 15, but it took a multi-year effort, a state law change, a study group and two board votes to get it to go away. This bill would make eliminating others easier.
Belleville News-Democrat: Public safety sales tax fails in St. Clair County
With all unofficial totals in, voters on Tuesday said they do not want to pay more at the cash register for general merchandise in order to bolster public safety.
With 216 precincts out of 216 precincts reporting, 26,407 people voted ‘No’ on the public safety referendum; 16,154 people voted ‘Yes.’
Belleville News-Democrat: Voters reject proposed countywide sales tax increases for schools
According to unofficial election results, voters in both St. Clair and Madison counties rejected the proposed sales tax increases for schools on Tuesday.
The 1-cent sales tax increases would have generated new revenue for schools to use toward their facilities or debt from previous work.
Chicago Sun-Times: CTU leaders not recommending strike on May 1, ‘action’ instead
The Chicago Teachers Union is no longer suggesting a one-day strike on May 1, as it had previously planned its delegates to consider.
The agenda item that delegates will be asked to vote on Wednesday night will instead suggest an “action” in solidarity with workers and with immigrants and their families who also will hold rallies that Monday, International Labor Day, CTU sources said.
Chicago Tribune: CPS continues to press for quick ruling on state education funding lawsuit
Chicago Public Schools in a court filing this week rejected the State of Illinois’ claim that the district can borrow money to avoid an early end to the school year.
But in legal documents filed Monday, the district provided no direct answers on its finances. Instead, CPS said that, if compelled, it may provide sworn testimony on the issues officials say are forcing tough choices such as closing schools about three weeks early and drastically cutting summer school programs.
Chicago Tribune: With big-money race looming, Democrats running for governor start showing off cash
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Ald. Ameya Pawar and state Sen. Daniel Biss each have raised more than $300,000 in the first quarter of the year, their campaigns say.
Pawar’s team said more than 1,200 people from across the state donated more than $325,000 to the Northwest Side two-term alderman.
WTTW Chicago Tonight: New Illinois Education Model Sent Off for Federal Review
After dozens of listening sessions and meetings with hundreds of parents, educators and administrators, the Illinois State Board of Education announced it has submitted its plan to replace the No Child Left Behind Act to the federal government for review.
State Superintendent Tony Smith said the board had turned in its state model for the Every Student Succeeds Act to the U.S. Department of Education by Monday’s early deadline. That move comes about three weeks after the state board unanimously approved the plan, which details ISBE’s new school quality measurements and support systems.
NPR Illinois: Bill Would Ban Box That Blocks College Students
In a way, it’s just one little box on a lengthy college application form. But for many would-be students, that box is more of a stop sign if the instructions say “check here if you have a criminal record.” State Rep. Barbara Wheeler, a Republican from Crystal Lake, wants to change that.
State Journal-Register: Manar questions state’s $2.4M lease of former Springfield furniture warehouse
Illinois is spending millions to rent a warehouse in Springfield to store Department of Human Services’ records when it could have been purchased for substantially less, state Sen. Andy Manar said Tuesday.
Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said the administration of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a five-year, $2.4 million lease for property at 2410 South Grand Ave. E. that could have been purchased for about one-third of that cost.
WTTW Chicago Tonight: Why Did State Lawmakers Approve of Cook County Tax Sale Law?
Tuesday marks day two of the semi-annual Cook County tax sale.
As Chicago Tonight reported Monday, that’s where people delinquent on their property taxes have their liens sold to private investors, who can then collect massive interest rates. A push to change the system by some public officials has simply raised more questions, such as: Why would state lawmakers nearly unanimously pass a bill to shorten the timetable property owners have to pay their taxes, especially when it hits homeowners facing financial hardship? And why does this system exist in the first place?
Chicago Sun-Times: Dan Webb: Bars, restaurants should make more off video gambling
A Cicero restaurant brought in more than $845,000 from video gaming machines last year but took home just $295,000 after taxes and handing over 50 percent of profits to video gaming operators — a small business profit former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb is trying to recoup.
In a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, Webb is representing plaintiffs Illinois Cafe & Services Company and Laredo Hospitality Ventures, which operate businesses such as Dotty’s Cafe, Stella’s Place and Shelby’s — examples of more than 5,800 local establishments in Illinois licensed to host electronic gaming. The two companies own and operate more than 100 Illinois video gaming parlors in 21 counties.
Chicago Sun-Times: Forget about Sessions and keep pushing Chicago police reform
The feds are bailing out. It is on City Hall alone now to push ahead and fearlessly reform the Chicago Police Department.
On Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions made it clear that the U.S. Department of Justice has no interest in working to reform local police departments across the country, regardless of how seriously a department might tread on civil liberties. This is a man who dangerously believes effective policing is in conflict with constitutionally sound policing.
Northwest Herald: Woodstock officials to consider tightening 'truck stop' ordinance to prevent video gambling
City officials will meet Tuesday to consider amending an ordinance that would make it more difficult for gas stations to get video gaming machines.
Under the Illinois Video Gaming Act, licensed truck stop establishments are allowed to operate video gambling machines at their operations. The gaming act law has a broad definition of what counts as a truck stop; however, and city officials want to tighten up Woodstock code in part to make sure gas stations can’t get machines inside.
Rockford Register-Star: Tom McNamara: Rockford’s new mayor
First-term alderman Tom McNamara claimed victory in an apparent landslide on a dreary Election Day to become Rockford’s next mayor.
With a sizable war chest in campaign donations, numerous endorsements and a network of volunteers, McNamara, 34, was considered the front-runner by the other candidates throughout the campaign. But with low turnout, it wasn’t clear the Democrat would be able to carry the victory amid challenges from Republican Brian Leggero and independent candidates Rudy Valdez and Ronnie Manns.
Peoria Journal-Star: Jim Ardis sweats, still wins fourth consecutive Peoria mayoral term
Jim Ardis’ fourth Peoria mayoral election was his closest. But the result was the same as the others.
Ardis defeated Couri Thomas to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive four-year term, according to results revealed Tuesday night. With all 95 city precincts reporting, Ardis received 6,998 votes, or 54 percent. Thomas received 5,965 votes, or 46 percent.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Normal mayor's race too close to call
Normal won’t know its next mayor for at least two weeks.
Incumbent Chris Koos and challenger Marc Tiritilli fought to a near draw in Tuesday’s election, finishing seven votes apart — fewer than the 35 outstanding absentee ballots.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Renner sees re-election as affirmation of policies, style
Mayor Tari Renner said Tuesday he saw his re-election as an affirmation of the politics of unity, inclusion and progress in Bloomington.
“This campaign was more than a political campaign,” said Renner while speaking Tuesday night to a crowd of more than 80 people who attended his election party at Reality on Monroe, 111 E. Monroe St.
Quincy Herald-Whig: Moore elected to second term, thanks challenger VanCamp
Cheered on by supporters, Mayor Kyle Moore said he’s ready for four years of big challenges as well as great strides forward for Quincy.
Moore bested 6th Ward Alderman Jeff VanCamp by 640 votes Tuesday in an election that featured the lowest turnout for a Quincy mayoral contest dating back to at least 1961.
Decatur Herad & Review: In historic moment, Moore Wolfe secures Decatur mayor win
Julie Moore Wolfe made history Tuesday by becoming the first woman in Decatur’s 188-year history to be elected mayor.
Her win was after an intense campaign with challenger John Phillips in which her leadership abilities and policies were called into question. Nearly $40,000 was contributed to the two candidates during the course of the contest.
The Southern: Franklin County voters say no to sales tax increase to build new courthouse
In an overwhelming majority, Franklin County voters declined a sales tax increase that would have allowed the county to replace its aging courthouse.
Franklin County Board chair Randall Crocker was disappointed.