Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Judge urged to alter or reject $38.75M red-light, speed cam settlement
An attorney behind a broader legal attack on Chicago’s scandal-scarred red-light camera program is asking a judge to alter or reject a $38.75 million settlement that offered 50 percent refunds to 1.2 million motorists denied due process after being hit with red light and speed camera tickets.
In an objection filed this week in Circuit Court, attorney Patrick Keating argued that the settlement agreement approved by the City Council last summer shortchanges motorists to pay exorbitant attorneys’ fees and gives recipients too short a time to cash refund checks.
WTTW Chicago Tonight: List of Top 200 Pension Earners Shows Potential for Big Payouts
It’s no surprise that working for the city can land someone a pretty sweet retirement deal. A taxpayer watchdog group Tuesday released a list of the top 200 pension earners in Chicago, and all of them make more than six figures annually. The top earner on that list could make more than $7 million off of taxpayers over his lifetime.
But are high benefits the only reason Chicago taxpayers are drowning in red ink?
Chicago Tribune: Top Chicago Public Schools attorney resigns following ethics probe that led to CEO's exit
The top attorney at Chicago Public Schools has resigned after an ethics probe that led to the resignation of his longtime ally, district CEO Forrest Claypool.
CPS General Counsel Ronald Marmer announced on Tuesday he would leave office Dec. 22. He did not respond to requests for comment.
Chicago Tribune: Question about legalizing marijuana could go on Cook County ballots
Cook County commissioners on Wednesday will decide whether to put on the ballot a question asking voters if recreational marijuana use by people 21 and older should be legalized.
The referendum is advisory only, so weed would not become legal if the question is approved in the March 20 primary. But a strong showing could help state lawmakers make their case for marijuana legalization in Springfield.
Daily Herald: Why four tiny suburbs spent thousands at Chicago conference
The $6,897 spent by Round Lake Heights to send seven elected officials to the annual Illinois Municipal League conference in downtown Chicago this September is equal to nearly 5 percent of what the tiny suburb receives from property taxes.
That’s even after Mayor Terry Lumpkins shaved about $1,000 off the bill by buying one-day passes for everyone attending the conference instead of the more expensive three-day passes.
Northwest Herald: Lake in the Hills officials defend $11K in expenses for Chicago conference
A village administrator attending a municipal conference is not out of the ordinary, but spending more than $11,000 to send nine people is excessive, one state official said.
Lake in the Hills officials racked up a $11,071.50 bill during the three-day Illinois Municipal League retreat and annual banquet from Sept. 21 to 23. Bills ranged from registration, food, transportation and hotel room costs for two employees and seven elected officials, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Northwest Herald: McHenry County Board OKs advisory referendum encouraging school property tax levies cuts
The McHenry County Board voted Tuesday night to approve an advisory referendum encouraging school districts to cut their property tax levies by 10 percent.
The 21-2 vote came on the heels of the board’s approval of a fiscal 2018 budget that includes an 11.2 percent reduction of the property tax levy.
Rockford Register-Star: Rockford Public Schools sets flat tax levy for 6th consecutive year
The Rockford School Board voted 6-0 Tuesday to collect $154.5 million in property taxes next year — roughly the same amount it’s gotten from local tax coffers the past five years.
Rockford Public Schools serves about 28,500 students and has an annual operating budget of about $425 million. With capital spending, the district’s annual budget hovers closer to $490 million.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Renner: No city money for multi-sport complex
The city of Bloomington would consider participating in developing a multi-sport complex only if it would pay for itself, but it has discussed the issue with Normal officials, said Mayor Tari Renner on Tuesday at his second town hall meeting this month.
Wilbert Davis, a retired Illinois State University track and field coach who has served on the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission for many years, posed the question at the meeting that drew about 30 people to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.