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Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s use of millions from his personal fortune for public expenses raises concerns about conflicts, transparency
During his first year in office, billionaire Gov. J.B. Pritzker has spent roughly $3 million from his vast personal fortune on everything from boosting pay for his top aides to renovating state buildings.
While the figure is small in comparison with the $40 billion state budget, the extent to which Pritzker is using his wealth to fund state projects and salaries has blurred the line between private and public funding and challenged traditional thinking about the role of taxpayers in funding their government.
The Center Square: Will Illinois' population continue to shrink?
Illinoisans will soon find out if the state’s population has continued to decline.
The U.S. Census is scheduled to release its annual population estimates Dec. 30 for the 12 months that ended in July 2019. This estimate will be the final one before the federal agency begins its ten-year count next spring.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago amnesty program relieves almost 12,000 city sticker scofflaws of $11.5 million in fines
Nearly 12,000 Chicago motorists were relieved of about $11.5 million in outstanding tickets for not having city stickers through an amnesty program that ended earlier this month, officials said Tuesday.
The city sticker amnesty initiatives were launched in October by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Clerk Anna Valencia in an effort to fix what they say is an unfair system of fines and fees that is harshest on the city’s poorest residents. The amnesty gave breaks to people who owed money or hadn’t purchased a sticker, officials said.
Daily Herald: Ride-share use one reason DUI arrests are down 30% in Lake County
The number of DUI arrests in Lake County dropped more than 30% from 2013 to 2018, and local leaders credit the rising popularity of ride-share companies such as Uber and Lyft.
The number of people admitted to Lake County jail for DUI arrests dropped from 955 people in 2013 to 662 in 2018, a 30.7% decrease, according to data made available by the Lake County sheriff’s office this month.
The Center Square: Adults can use cannabis for fun starting Jan. 1, here's how Illinois' new law works
Starting Jan. 1, it will be legal for adults to possess and use recreational marijuana in Illinois, but new law includes limits on how much residents can have and where they can use it.
Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois Pam Althoff said legal marijuana will mean more opportunities.