Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: New Dem lawmaker: I’m being ‘threatened’ not to vote against Madigan
An incoming freshman legislator from west suburban Naperville — who campaigned on a promise to vote against Mike Madigan as speaker — says she is receiving warnings from Democratic lawmakers and unions that a “no” vote on his leadership bid will lead to retaliation against her.
State Rep.-elect Anne Stava-Murray told the Sun-Times she has received many calls, with many following a “script.”
Chicago Tribune: Scooter study finds potential for short trips to and from transit in Chicago
A new DePaul University study finds that electric scooters could be useful for trips to and from transit, and could help more Chicago households to do without a car.
The study was conducted by DePaul’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development. It received some funding from Bird, a Santa Monica-based scooter company, though the study’s authors said this did not influence results.
Chicago Tribune: DCFS sued over 'inhumane' practice of leaving kids too long in psych hospitals
Cook County’s public guardian sued the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Thursday, alleging the beleaguered child welfare agency is causing “immense harm” to mentally ill foster children by keeping them in psychiatric hospitals beyond medical discharge dates as it struggles to find them homes with appropriate services.
“It’s hard to imagine anything that says to a child more, ‘You don’t matter,’ than being in a locked psychiatric hospital when there’s absolutely no reason for you to be there,” said Charles Golbert, the county’s acting public guardian.
Chicago Sun-Times: Feds raid Ald. Burke’s City Hall offices for a second time
Federal agents returned to the City Hall offices of Ald. Ed Burke on Thursday, two weeks after they carried out unprecedented raids on the longtime alderman’s downtown and ward offices, sources said.
Federal investigators were looking for information they didn’t find during the first raid, sources said. The nature of the information sought was unknown.
Chicago Sun-Times: Burke hit with allegations of political interference by ex-aviation commissioner
Former Chicago Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans is laying out a bill of particulars against Ald. Edward Burke (14th), alleging that he worked repeatedly behind the scenes to inappropriately pressure her and her staff on airport business.
In a memo to the Sun-Times, Evans, who resigned earlier this year, gave five examples of Burke or his staff allegedly interfering or overstepping.
Crain's Chicago Business: Cook County repeals lower parking-tax rate for SpotHero, ParkWhiz
The Cook County Coard repealed a planned lower parking-tax rate for parking-app companies such as SpotHero and ParkWhiz that was set to take effect Jan. 1.
The board voted 16 to 1 to repeal an amendment to the parking tax that would have had app companies collecting 1.75 percent, rather than 6 percent paid by parking operators.
Daily Herald: Crowd urges District 211 board, teachers to avoid strike
Though only three of 26 speakers at Thursday’s Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 school board meeting were strongly critical of the teachers union’s position and contract negotiation tactics, a few more called on both sides equally to make avoiding a strike during final exams next week their top priority.
“Your bargaining position would be no worse if you waited those three days,” Schaumburg parent Ted Gross told union members.
Rockford Register-Star: Winnebago County-Loves Park $1.7 million agreement passes
Take two.
For the second time in three weeks, the Winnebago County Board on Thursday approved Loves Park’s request for $1.68 million to help pay for road and infrastructure improvements north of a developing Costco wholesale store.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Gleason's City Hall reorganization includes adding deputy city manager
In a reorganization at Bloomington City Hall, City Manager Tim Gleason will name a deputy city manager to operate like a chief of staff, eliminated the position of assistant city manager and filled the city clerk’s position with an interim hire.
Gleason will discuss those changes when the City Council meets at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall. This meeting replaces the regular council session that would have been on Dec. 24.