Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Just under half of Illinois lawmakers unopposed in 2020
Nearly every other Illinois lawmaker in the General Assembly could run unopposed in the 2020 election.
The deadline to file paperwork for the 2020 March primaries was last Monday. Unless local party leaders intervene to put a candidate on the ballot, 54 out of the 118 Illinois state representatives will be the only choice from the state’s major parties in November. Twelve of the 20 senators up for re-election won’t face opposition from the other party, but a number face primary challenges.
Chicago Sun-Times: Another day, another example of City Council balking at Lightfoot’s plan to chip away at aldermanic prerogative
Another day, another example of Chicago aldermen pushing back against Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s attempts to chip away at their cherished aldermanic prerogative.
This time, the point of contention was the mayor’s plan to abolish four tax-increment-financing districts as part of declaring a record $300 million TIF surplus to help balance the city budget and bankroll the new teachers contract.
Chicago Sun-Times: Night meetings? Mandatory attendance-taking before committee meetings? Not if Chicago aldermen can help it
Until the City Council finally started live-streaming committee meetings — where the real business gets done — attendance was paltry.
Even now that live-streaming has shamed some no-show aldermen into attending, it’s still not unusual for committees to vote on important legislation with only a handful of aldermen present.
Chicago Tribune: Settlements stall in City Council committee for witness to Laquan McDonald shooting, family of man who died in police custody
Aldermen did not vote Monday on two proposed settlements, one for a woman who witnessed the fatal Chicago police shooting of Laquan McDonald and said officers afterward belittled her and accused her of lying about what she saw, and another for the family of a man who died in custody.
The Finance Committee held the $125,000 proposed settlement for Alma Benitez, who sued the city because of her treatment by investigators after the infamous shooting.
The Center Square: Illinois’ sports betting not expected until after Super Bowl
The state’s sports wagering program won’t be ready for the Super Bowl, but it might be ready for March Madness.
Some people may already be placing sports bets online after last Spring’s Supreme Court ruling allowing states to offer sports wagering, but Illinois’ legal program is not yet up and running. Those hoping to place bets from the couch may have to wait even longer.
Chicago Tribune: Sources: Top adviser to Mayor Lori Lightfoot resigning as Chicago watchdog investigates arrangement that lets her live in Wilmette despite residency rules
A key adviser to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is resigning from the administration as the city’s watchdog is investigating the arrangement that has allowed her to collect a paycheck from a publicly funded business organization under Lightfoot’s control while doing work as a volunteer in the mayor’s office and living in Wilmette, sources told the Tribune.
As first reported by the Tribune, on the day Lightfoot was sworn in as mayor in May, Lisa Schneider-Fabes was hired by World Business Chicago, the public-private nonprofit agency that receives a mix of city tax money and private funding to push for economic development and promote Chicago as a global city.
The Center Square: Report says Illinois' cigarette smuggling problem getting worse
Nearly 20 percent of the cigarettes smoked in Illinois were purchased outside of the state.
That’s the estimate from the nonprofit Tax Foundation. In conjunction with the Mackinac Center, the group tabulated the smoking rate in each state, estimated how much residents smoked on average and compared the estimated tax revenue against what states actually collect.
Chicago Tribune: Prosecutors have 45 days to move forward in new trial for former Portage Mayor James Snyder
Prosecutors have a month and a half to determine how to move forward after a judge granted a new trial on one of the counts against former Portage Mayor James Snyder, who was found guilty of bribery and obstructing the IRS in February.
On Nov. 27, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen denied Snyder’s motion for acquittal to both charges of the purchase of garbage trucks and corruptly interfering with the administration of the Internal Revenue laws, according to the court order.
Chicago Tribune: Sources: Illinois to start taking applications Tuesday for new marijuana stores. Winners will be announced by May.
Illinois regulators plan to start taking applications Tuesday for new recreational marijuana retail stores, officials announced.
Applications to open up to 75 new adult-use cannabis dispensaries beyond the ones already approved by the state will be taken from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on business days Tuesday through Jan. 2, at the office of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.
Northwest Herald: Lake in the Hills Village Board to discuss budget, tax levy
The Lake in the Hills Village Board will meet Tuesday to discuss advancing the village’s 2020 budget and 2019 property tax levy for a vote.
According to village documents, the total fund balance of the village’s 19 funds would be drawn down by about $1.89 million.
Daily Herald: Palatine votes to allow marijuana businesses in town
Palatine village council members Monday night voted to allow marijuana retailers in the town.
Recreational pot use by those 21 and older becomes legal in Illinois on Jan. 1. Towns can’t outlaw its use, but they are allowed to prohibit businesses that sell it or restrict their location.