Earlier this month, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called for a constitutional change to our pension system. Emanuel is right: the pension system is broken and needs to change.

Illinois must pass a constitutional amendment on pensions, not only to protect the taxpayers but also to guarantee protection for public employees who rely on the retirement system. We can do both. These are real people who should not be hurt because lawmakers have failed.

Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker and his wife, M.K., played dinner hosts at their North Astor Street mansion for Illinois’ four legislative leaders and their spouses in early December, a rare bipartisan convening that belies the current political norm of hyperpartisanship.

“Everybody had a good time. We stayed longer, I think, than everybody had planned and it was a great conversation,” the Democratic governor-elect said.

New Illinois tollway bylaws no longer include a process for the board to overturn a veto by the chairman.

The bylaws also omitted language that previously included “potential conflicts of interest” as something board directors should avoid.

Two Fox River Grove schools will get makeovers next summer as part of an estimated $3.6 million renovation project to improve student and staff safety and redesign the buildings for today’s learner.