Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois legislative leaders meet on state school funding Tuesday
Illinois’ legislative leaders are set to meet again Tuesday about the state’s continuing inability to send money to schools.
The last meeting on Friday didn’t create a lot of public information about any progress or lack thereof, besides descriptions that it was “productive.”
NBC 5 Chicago: Tuition Tax Credits Emerge as Part of Illinois School Funding Debate
Amid the ongoing battle in Springfield over education funding, a new twist has emerged as tuition tax credits for private schools may become part of the negotiations.
Lawmakers in the House return to the Capitol Wednesday and could potentially take up an override on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, the measure to move Illinois to an “evidence-based model” of education funding on which all state aid for schools hinges.
Crain's Chicago Business: Amid soda-tax war, Teamsters thank Preckwinkle for a good new deal
As Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle defends her controversial soda-pop tax as a vital prop for key county programs, one of the county’s top unions is bragging about all the good things Preckwinkle is giving its members in a new contract.
In a memo to members, Teamsters Union Local 700, which represents 3,500 guards and other security personnel at the county jail and some staffers in the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office, specifically thanks Preckwinkle for items including a new payment for attending roll call, lifting a cap on use of personal time, a raised uniform allowance and expanded shift differentials, a $1,200-per-person signing bonus and, most notably, a zero percent hike in health care premiums at a time when workers all over the country are being asked to pay more.
Daily Herald: Rauner vetoes bill allowing public to elect Lake County chairman
Labeling it “inappropriate interference” with local government, Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation that could lead to Lake County voters’ electing the chairman of the county board beginning in 2020.
The measure, introduced in January by Democratic state Sen. Terry Link of Vernon Hills, would have required a 2018 referendum in which voters would decide whether to make the chairman a publicly elected post or leave it for other county board members to decide.
Chicago Tribune: $1.6M VFW raffle drawing hits legal snag, halted amid 'ordinance issue'
A drawing for a VFW raffle with a prize topping $1 million was called off hours before a winner was due to be picked Monday, with organizers citing a legal snag.
Organizers at the VFW hall in little Morris, Ill., said they “did not get shut down” and will resume ticket sales and the drawing “as soon as possible.”
Chicago Sun-Times: City doubles down on stance against federal court oversight of CPD
City attorneys have fired back against a class-action lawsuit seeking a federal court consent decree over Chicago Police Department reform, claiming federal oversight is unnecessary because the city has made its own “substantial and ongoing reforms.”
The 32-page motion to dismiss filed on Monday would seem to indicate that Mayor Rahm Emanuel has no intentions of bowing to pressure to accept federal court oversight.
DNA Info: Ban Self-Driving Cars To Avoid 'Back To The Future'-Style Craziness: Burke
Dueling versions of the future of Chicago’s streets were on display Monday at City Hall as aldermen weighed whether to ban self-driving cars from the city’s roads.
Ald. Edward Burke (14th) warned that the City Council needs to ban the automated vehicles to prevent someone as “crazy” as movie character Doc Brown, inventor of a DeLorean sports car time machine in the “Back To The Future” film trilogy, from endangering the public.
Northwest Herald: McHenry City Council grants $50K loan to Smith's Central Garage
McHenry City Council members approved a $50,000 loan to a downtown banquet center Monday with some discussion that included questions about safety, parking and McHenry’s “business friendliness.”
John Smith, owner of Smith’s Central Garage, sought the loan from the city to pay for the installation of a sprinkler system at his banquet center. Smith bought the long-vacant building in the summer of 2014 and has spent $800,000 refurbishing the space, including installing a new roof, new insulation and new heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment, he said.
Daily Herald: Objections filed against effort for 'backdoor referendum' in District 59
A woman connected to a local Democratic organization has challenged an effort to let voters decide whether Elk Grove Township District 59 should borrow up to $20 million.
Esther Carrera, secretary for the Elk Grove Township Democrats, submitted the 427-page challenge Friday seeking to disqualify signatures collected by a group opposed to issuing the taxpayer-funded bonds. The group submitted the signatures to put the question on the March election ballot, known as a backdoor referendum.
Daily Herald: Hoffman Estates spends $180,000 on Sears Centre repair
Hoffman Estates officials spent $180,000 this summer to correct the settlement of the Sears Centre Arena’s foundation under the main entrance.
Trustees authorized the last $30,000 Monday night after the emergency project was already completed.
Decatur Herald & Review: Moldy Decatur Library annex building likely headed for demolition
More than a year after the Decatur City Council took ownership of the Decatur Public Library annex building, council members seemed ready Monday to tear down the mold-infested structure that once housed the Village Mall.
“This reminds me of an ‘Alien’ movie,” Councilman Pat McDaniel said, invoking the science-fiction horror franchise as council members watched footage showing the annex’s second floor covered in black mold, the result of a roof that has been leaking for years.
Belleville News-Democrat: Spending $477,000 in taxes, just in case county needs office space
Here’s a surprise for the denizens of 10 Public Square: We’re not going to say a thing, well, at least much, about their plan to spend another $625,000 on MidAmerica St. Louis Airport’s terminal.
That’s because they are getting 90 percent of the roof, AC, lighting and public address system funding from the feds, and that’s all “free” money, right? Only another $62,500 of county funds is dropping into the $81 million subsidy hole, or what should be considered a cheap day at the airport.
Belleville News-Democrat: Madison County appeals $1 million discrimination suit
Madison County is appealing the Dunnagan suit again, with up to $1 million at stake.
In 2014, former comptroller Linda Dunnagan sued County Chairman Kurt Prenzler, who was then the county treasurer, for discrimination, alleging that she was pressured to quit after she returned to work following a life-threatening illness. After she declined to resign or take a lower-paying job, Prenzler eliminated her position.