Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Why does nobody challenge Madigan to be Speaker?
A couple of friends have commented recently about how astonished they are that U.S. House Democrats retained Nancy Pelosi as their leader after they underperformed in the November election.
Isn’t it odd, I’ve been thinking to myself, that no one ever makes that sort of comment about Mike Madigan, the Illinois House Speaker and, after all, chair of the Illinois Democratic Party?
Associated Press: Democrats weigh 2018 challenge to Rauner; GOP on the attack
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner sent two clear signals when he dumped $50 million into his campaign fund: The 2018 race for Illinois governor will be a rough one, and the contest starts now.
What’s still unknown is which Democrats will try to unseat the multimillionaire former businessman. Among those contemplating a bid are U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill.; businessman Chris Kennedy; state Sen. Andy Manar, 48th District; and billionaire investor J.B. Pritzker, according to potential candidates and aides.
Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus: Aide: Bustos 'seriously considering' run at Rauner
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, is giving “serious consideration” to challenging Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018.
“Cheri (Bustos) thinks Bruce Rauner has been an absolute disaster for working families in her district and across our state, so she’s committed to making sure Democrats have a candidate who can defeat him in 2018,” Stacy Raker, senior adviser to Rep. Bustos, said in a statement Monday.
State Journal-Register: Being correct isn't always enough
Sen. DAVE KOEHLER, D-Peoria, sort of stepped in it the other day.
Appearing on a Peoria television public affairs program, Koehler said funding for K-12 schools should be held up until there is agreement on a full state budget.
Associated Press: Illinois community health centers receive $12M in grants
Community health centers across Illinois are receiving federal grants totaling more than $12 million.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says the money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “will help community health centers across our state continue to improve health outcomes and reduce patient costs.”
Chicago Sun-Times: 2016 was Rahm Emanuel’s comeback year
Is it even possible for a mayor to make a political comeback in a year when the public schools remain broke and the number of murders and shootings in Chicago reach levels not seen since the 1990s?
If it is, Rahm Emanuel did that in 2016.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago State University faces year-end deficit, needs to slash expenses
In messages to prospective students and the public, Chicago State University officials are promising an optimistic future — one that might someday even include a school football team.
In documents submitted to state officials responsible for funding, however, the same administrators are painting a picture of financial distress. They describe how the university will burn through its cash reserves before the end of the school year and be forced to make additional cuts unless more money comes from Springfield.
Chicago Tribune: City seeks big-idea proposals to redevelop Michael Reese Hospital site
Once the planned location for Chicago’s Olympic village and later floated as a possible home for the Obama presidential library, the onetime site of Michael Reese Hospital sat on a recent morning as just a wind-swept field on the lakefront with brown weeds poking up through a layer of fresh snow.
But attention has turned in earnest to redeveloping the nearly 50 acres of lots just south of McCormick Place. The city this fall put out a request for proposals from developers for turning vacant land that also includes nearby truck yards into a Chicago jewel.
Belleville News-Democrat: Shame on Belleville Township for asking for another dime in taxes
Belleville Township leaders could have ended their blight on the taxpayers by deciding that having $660,000 that they overtaxed residents was enough and they would give taxpayers a break for the last four months they will exist.
Nope.
Township trustees last week passed a property tax levy seeking $264,000. That is 23 percent less than the $343,000 it collected this year and that was 29 percent less than the $488,000 collected the year before.