Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: The inside story on Trump and Blagojevich’s stalled bid for clemency: Kushner the key player
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he was poised to cut short the sentence of imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but the quick emergence of critics after Trump signaled his move means clemency for now is up in the air.
“A lot of people are against it,” a senior administration official told the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday, with one big exception, the source said.
Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois Senate prez says indicted Sen. Thomas Cullerton is still ‘a valued member of the caucus and a friend of mine’
A federal investigation that resulted in an embezzlement and conspiracy indictment announced Aug. 2 against state Sen. Thomas Cullerton hasn’t cost him the support of Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, a distant cousin.
In his first public comments since the charges were announced, John Cullerton told the Chicago Sun-Times the Villa Park Democrat remains “a valued member of the caucus and a friend of mine” — and declined to say whether federal prosecutors have contacted him.
Champaign News-Gazette: A lot is on the line
There will soon be a lot more places in Illinois for people to place their bets.
The owners of Fairmount Park, a racetrack near St. Louis, recently announced that they are adding slot machines, casino table games and sports betting as part of plans for what could be an eventual $50 million expansion.
One of three racetracks in Illinois, Fairmount is transitioning into a “racino,” thanks to a massive expansion of gambling approved by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly.
Daily Herald: $50,000 or $35 million: Which schools got the most in new state funding
New students won’t be the only fresh faces showing up at Round Lake Unit District 116’s Pleviak Kindergarten Center next week.
The school in Lake Villa is getting several new kindergarten teachers thanks to the state’s new education funding formula that has added millions of dollars to District 116’s coffers since it was put in place a year ago.
The Southern: Illinois municipalities seek clarifications on recreational marijuana legalization
The state organization representing local units of government is asking leaders in the General Assembly to make clarifying changes to the recreational marijuana law before it takes effect Jan. 1.
Brad Cole, executive director of the Illinois Municipal League, said the 1,298 cities, villages and towns in the state need guidance on four aspects of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, signed into law by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in late June.
Daily Herald: Buffalo Grove fuel tax could help fund street program, village staff says
In an effort to address backlogged street repairs, Buffalo Grove is looking to the option of a local motor fuel tax. The 4-cent-per-gallon tax would essentially be a user fee and would be exclusively earmarked for transportation and roadwork.
The idea was presented by village staff to trustees at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting. Deputy Village Manager Christopher Stilling said the existing motor fuel tax, which funds the village’s street program, is insufficient to keep pace with the cost of roadwork, even with the state increasing the tax to 38 cents per gallon.
Peoria Journal-Star: County sales tax keeping it cool in Peoria Public Schools
When school starts Wednesday, returning students will quickly know that change has come to Manual, the Peoria public school at 811 S. Griswold St.
First, it will again be known as Manual High School, home to grades 9-12. The Manual Academy experiment, begun in 2012, has ended, and seventh- and eighth-graders have been moved to other district school buildings.
The Southern: Carbondale Council, Park District Board to meet Monday to discuss the city taking over some park functions
On Monday, voters will get what they asked for when the Carbondale City Council meets with the Carbondale Park District to discuss leases between the two entities and the potential for the city taking over some of the district’s operations.
The discussion has been a long time coming, as Kathy Renfro, executive director of the Park District, has previously told The Southern that the concept of the city taking over some functions of the district has come up multiple times over the years. However, this most recent discussion came after questions were presented to the city about leases between it and the district for properties like Evergreen and Turley parks.