Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Facing massive budget hole, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to give prime-time ‘State of the City’ speech followed by citywide tour on government finances
Mayor Lori Lightfoot will give a prime-time speech later this month about the city’s massive looming budget deficit, which is expected to approach $1 billion, and follow up with four town halls across Chicago, her administration announced Friday.
The city also is conducting an online survey asking people to weigh in with their fiscal priorities, as well as which taxes they would increase to offset its expected budget hole. Lightfoot’s “State of the City” speech will be broadcast from downtown’s Harold Washington Library Center at 6 p.m. Aug. 29.
Chicago Tribune: State Sen. Thomas Cullerton pleads not guilty to federal embezzlement charges
Illinois state Sen. Thomas Cullerton pleaded not guilty Friday in federal court to embezzlement charges alleging he pocketed almost $275,000 in salary and benefits from the Teamsters union despite doing little or no work.
Dressed in a dark gray suit and purple tie, Cullerton, 49, a Democrat from Villa Park, answered with a firm “Yes, your honor” when asked by U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Cox whether he understood the proceedings.
Chicago Sun-Times: Housing commissioner says budget shortfall will make it tougher to solve affordable housing crisis
A top mayoral aide Friday bemoaned the budget crisis that will make it tough for Mayor Lori Lightfoot to use an increased real estate transfer tax to reduce homelessness and bankroll affordable housing.
Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara helped draft Lightfoot’s housing platform while serving as a vice president of the Metropolitan Planning Council and overseeing a study on the $4.4 billion “cost of segregation” in Chicago.
Northwest Herald: McHenry Ethics Commission to consider complaints against Mayor Wayne Jett
Daily Herald: New Lake County administrator quits, barely a month into job
Barely a month into his tenure, Lake County’s top administrator announced his resignation Friday.
Bill Panos was hired in July. He previously he had been the director of Wyoming’s transportation department.
Daily Herald: District 220 to put $147 million spending plan on March 2020 ballot
Barrington Area Unit District 220 board members have approved putting a $147 million referendum question for facility improvements on the March 17 ballot by a 6-0 vote.
Only Board Member Gavin Newman was absent Thursday when his colleagues reached the decision on what to include among the proposed projects at their second meeting of the week on the topic.