Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Some Chicago aldermen leery of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's possible $10 billion pension borrowing plan
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s financial team will soon decide whether to recommend the city borrow billions to shore up its ailing public pension funds — a move some experts call risky but that Emanuel allies maintain could save taxpayers money and ease the pain from future pension-related tax increases.
City Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown said she could give Emanuel her recommendation by the end of the month or early September. The city might end up borrowing more than $10 billion, depending on the details, she said.
Crain's Chicago Business: Illinois hotel trade group names new CEO
Illinois hotel operators have a new top cheerleader.
The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, the trade group representing about a third of the state’s roughly 1,500 hotels, announced it has hired Michael Jacobson as President & CEO.
WTTW Chicago Tonight: Why Chicago’s Hedging on a City-Owned Casino
Chicago has been vying for a casino for years, which is why it was peculiar last spring when the city came out in opposition to the latest gambling package that appeared to have a chance in Springfield.
State lawmakers on Wednesday got their first public insight into what’s behind that change of heart, at an hourslong hearing held in the city.
Northwest Herald: McHenry Township board appoints Verr trustee during heated meeting
McHenry Township has a new trustee, and some area residents are deeply upset about it.
Steve Verr was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by former Republican Trustee Bill Cunningham during a special meeting Thursday at McHenry Township Hall, 3703 N. Richmond Road, Johnsburg.
Northwest Herald: Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner loses lawsuit to nullify Local 150 contract
Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Andrew Gasser’s lawsuit seeking to invalidate a union contract his predecessor signed has been dismissed.
On Tuesday, Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Jasica rejected the highway commissioner’s arguments and dismissed with prejudice his latest complaint – meaning Gasser won’t have another chance to refile a complaint in this case.
Daily Herald: Wheeling won't use tax dollars to help condo owners make repairs
Wheeling officials have rejected a request by condominium owners for about $200,000 in taxpayer dollars to complete major repairs at their complex.
Cameo North Annex Association members asked for tax increment financing assistance — money that’s earmarked for economic development projects and improvements — to repair balconies at the 51-unit complex at 200 Deborah Lane.
Peoria Journal-Star: Peoria sends out layoff notices to city employees
Layoff notices have gone out at City Hall.
The notices follow efforts by the city to, in City Manager Patrick Urich’s words, “reset the city’s spending” due to a budget shortfall. The city had called for city employees — except those involved with public safety — to accept four unpaid days before Veterans Day.
Peoria Journal-Star: Civic Center approves a deficit budget for coming year after cash balance dips below $1 million
The Peoria Civic Center Authority board unanimously passed a budget for the upcoming year that projects a deficit just short of $400,000 amid some concern of the facility’s cash supply after incurring a near $700,000 operating loss in the previous year.
The budget vote was the primary action taken by the board at Thursday’s monthly meeting following a 30-day window in which the budget for fiscal year 2019 was on public display.
Peoria Journal-Star: EP council approves $57 million sewer loan
Customers started paying for the sewer system upgrade last year, but the $57 million, multi-phase project took an important step forward this week when the East Peoria City Council approved a low-interest loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
“It’s another piece of a giant puzzle,” Public Works director Dennis Barron said Thursday about the 5-0 council approval of the loan. “And it appears we are on track to get construction started during the (2019) construction season.”