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State Journal-Register: Hundreds of new state laws to take effect in 2018
It was a big year at the Statehouse with lawmakers ending an historic budget impasse and approving an income tax hike, overhauling how public schools get funding and allowing automatic voter registration.
Now, a fresh set of 215 laws takes effect Jan. 1.
Chicago Sun-Times: Ex-mayor says Rep. Jim Durkin got involved in Broadview brouhaha
In a sworn deposition in a federal court case, the former mayor of Broadview testified that Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin called and asked him to meet with a strip club consultant who has fought village officials for more than a decade over plans for a new adult-entertainment venue.
The spokeswoman for Durkin — a Republican from Western Springs who faces a primary challenge in March — said Durkin didn’t do what ex-Broadview Mayor Henry Vicenik said he did.
Belleville News-Democrat: Local judge overrules Rauner on union dues, but U.S. Supreme Court could decide issue
A St. Clair County circuit judge’s ruling in a lawsuit could determine the financial health of Democratic-leaning labor unions that represent government workers.
Judge Chris Kolker issued the ruling Wednesday, vacating Gov. Bruce Rauner’s executive order to halt collection of union fees for nonunion members who work in state jobs but benefit from collective bargaining.
Northwest Herald: Cary mayor, trustees at odds over conflict of interest allegations
McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally decided not to pursue claims that Cary Mayor Mark Kownick and Trustee Ellen McAlpine violated a state law regarding conflicts of interest.
However, Kenneally pointedly disagreed with a village attorney’s reading of the statute and warned that his office may not show similar restraint if future allegations are made, according to a Nov. 14 letter obtained by the Northwest Herald.