Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Crain's Chicago Business: The other financial storm threatening to capsize Illinois' economy
As you may know, Illinois has the second-highest property tax rate in the nation, trailing New Jersey by just five one-hundredths of a percentage point. The pain has become so acute for homeowners and landlords across Illinois that Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed a task force earlier this year to study the causes and recommend solutions. The task force report is due Dec. 31, setting up possible legislative action on the issue when state lawmakers reconvene next month.
Chicago Tribune: Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants answers from ComEd on lobbying investigation before renewing Chicago’s franchise agreement
Commonwealth Edison will have to answer lots of questions about the growing lobbying scandal in Springfield before Mayor Lori Lightfoot considers renewing the utility’s franchise agreement with Chicago in 2020, she said Tuesday.
In an interview with WLS-AM 890 reporter Bill Cameron, Lightfoot said the public deserves to hear how the utility is dealing with the ongoing federal investigation into ComEd’s lobbying activities.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago, Detroit are least prepared for next recession, Moody’s says
Chicago and Detroit are the U.S. cities least prepared to weather the storm of another recession because of “extraordinarily high” fixed costs and crushing pension obligations, a Wall Street rating agency concluded Tuesday.
Moody’s Investors is alone in rating Chicago bonds as junk — a Ba1 rating with a stable outlook on the city’s general obligation debt that was reaffirmed last week after the City Council approved Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s $11.6 billion budget.
Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot plans to demand end to shut-offs and answers on ComEd lobbying scandal before renewing utility’s franchise agreement
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday she plans to call Commonwealth Edison on the carpet for the Springfield lobbying scandal — and ask the utility to join the city in ending shut-offs—before Chicago will even consider renewing its franchise agreement.
One focus of the burgeoning federal investigation that has spread from Chicago and the south suburbs to Springfield is the roster of Com Ed lobbyists with close ties to Ilinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).
Chicago Tribune: ‘Someone who really understands Chicago.’ South Siders offer advice on a new police superintendent
They came from all over the South Side and they brought their honest opinions with them.
Longtime homeowners. Retired teachers and law enforcement veterans. Church leaders, activists and concerned residents. They all brought their wish lists for a new police superintendent to Trinity United Church of Christ for the first of three “listening sessions” by the Chicago Police Board, responsible for nominating three candidates to the mayor.
Chicago Sun-Times: City of Chicago official hit with felony theft charge
A longtime city official who currently works in the Department of Aviation has been accused of making thousands of dollars in purchases on credit and then later disputing the charges.
George Coleman Jr., deputy commissioner for intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Aviation, was charged this week with one count of continuing financial crimes enterprise.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago police to suspend controversial merit promotion selection process
Chicago police interim Superintendent Charlie Beck said Tuesday he was suspending the department’s practice of promoting officers to the ranks of detective, sergeant and lieutenant regardless of their exam scores, halting a promotional process long criticized by many rank-and-file cops and decried in a U.S. Department of Justice report on the city’s policing practices.
The move will discontinue for now the so-called merit promotion system. The practice has been slammed by many insiders who believe it too often elevates officers to top supervisory roles more because of their relationships with the department’s command staff or someone else with influence over department policy, as opposed to them being qualified for those positions.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago city sticker debt relief program lasts through Dec. 16
Chicago residents seeking to clear old tickets before the start of the new year can take advantage of the city sticker debt relief plan set to wrap up Monday.
The city sticker debt forgiveness program, which began Nov. 15, allows eligible motorists to have at least three of their oldest city sticker tickets forgiven. The program is a part ofMayor Lori Lightfoot’s fines and fee reform program and aims to help motorists who have experienced financial hardship and have been burdened by fees and fines related to city stickers. Residents also have the option of buying a short-term city sticker that costs less than the one- and two-year stickers.
News-Gazette: Champaign council considering new changes to housing rules
Picking up where they left off six months ago, city council members are ready to discuss changes to the ordinance that allows Champaign landlords to deny renting to most people with felony convictions.
Up for review at tonight’s study session: a proposal that would limit the amount of time landlords can hold felonies against potential tenants, from five years to two.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago medical marijuana dispensary’s proposed zoning change to operate near Wrigley Field narrowly advances
In a preview of the likely fight to come over marijuana sales in Chicago, a medical cannabis operator’s proposal to move into a storefront just south of Wrigley Field narrowly advanced Tuesday over the complaints of aldermen who said there isn’t enough minority participation in the business.
MedMar Lakeview got the OK from the city’s zoning committee to move to 3524 N. Clark St. Under state rules, the company will not be allowed to switch to more lucrative recreational marijuana sales on Jan. 1 because of the address change, though owners of the operation have said they would like to do so.