Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: City Club President Jay Doherty resigns, ‘distraction’ of federal investigation cited
Facing federal scrutiny of his work as a lobbyist for ComEd in a sweeping corruption probe, City Club of Chicago President Jay Doherty stepped down Friday from the helm of the century-old, clout-heavy civic group.
Doherty’s resignation comes seven months after FBI agents searched the Mag Mile headquarters of the City Club, reportedly looking for possible evidence about his role in clout hiring at the power utility, including some with ties to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Crain's Chicago Business: Mike Madigan's ComEd windfall
Political insiders and official state disclosure records indicate that for at least the last five years, Exelon and its Commonwealth Edison subsidiary have hosted a major autumn Chicago fundraiser for the speaker, who doubles as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.
WBEZ: Chicago aldermen to vote on $3.65 million in legal settlements
Lawyers for the city of Chicago will ask aldermen to approve five legal settlementsworth a collective $3.65 million. A committee will vote on the proposed settlements Monday, and the full City Council is expected to consider the payouts later this month.
All five proposed settlements involve police, including one brought by a witness to the now-infamous Laquan McDonald shooting who was taken to police headquarters and held in custody for several hours after the incident.
Chicago Tribune: Woman allegedly out drinking with Eddie Johnson accused of removing evidence from cellphone
The woman who sources say was out drinking with then-Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson the night he was found asleep in his vehicle has been accused of tampering with evidence amid the city watchdog’s investigation into the incident, the Chicago Tribune has learned.
The woman, a veteran Chicago police officer, was accused of removing a SIM card from a cellphone that had been sought as evidence by the office of city Inspector General Joseph Ferguson, according to a document obtained by the Tribune. SIM cards store data on cellphones.
Chicago Sun-Times: Prison officials pave way for man body slammed by police to post bond
The Illinois Department of Corrections Friday lifted a hold that had prevented parolee Bernard Kersh from posting bond after his arrest for allegedly spitting on the officer who body slammed him to the ground, jail officials said.
The move comes a day after the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr. called for Kersh to be released from Cook County Jail.
Belleville News-Democrat: Former Madison school superintendent charged with stealing over $40K from district
The former superintendent of Madison School District 12 and her niece, who also once worked for the district, have been charged with the theft of more than $50,000 from the schools, the county prosecutor and school district attorney confirmed.
Warletta C. Brookins, the former superintendent, and her niece, Tanika L. Johnson, have been charged with theft of over $10,000 and less than $100,000 as well as official misconduct.
Daily Herald: Plan to allow marijuana sales in unincorporated Lake County delayed
A plan to allow — but regulate — marijuana sales at licensed dispensaries in unincorporated areas of Lake County was delayed this week.
The necessary zoning rules have been drafted, but the county board’s public works, planning and transportation committee narrowly voted against directing the zoning board of appeals to schedule a public review and debate
Northwest Herald: McHenry County Board members vote in favor of referendum to eliminate elected coroner role
An ad hoc committee voted on Friday in support of a resolution establishing a binding referendum asking voters whether the McHenry County coroner should be eliminated as an elected office.
Following the departure of former McHenry County Coroner Anne Majewski earlier this year, the Coroner’s Office underwent two evaluations, one performed by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and one from Dr. Dennis Kellar – both of which highlighted a number of security and quality assurance issues.
Chicago Tribune: Damaged for decades by America’s drug war, Austin now seeks to prosper from legal marijuana
It didn’t take long for the community meeting on the impending legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois to get to the point.
“I’ve been over here all my life, and I was kinda thinking we have a bunch of liquor stores and … not one black(-owned),” said 59-year-old Jonathan Anderson, one of about 30 residents at the meeting organized by police in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. “My question is once they get cannabis here, will you be fighting for us, for a minority to get a shot?”
WBEZ: 3 Illinois prison guards indicted for assault that resulted in prisoner’s death
Three prison guards from the Western Illinois Correctional Center are facing federal criminal charges for allegedly beating a prisoner in handcuffs in May 2018 and filing false reports to cover up their actions.
Larry Earvin, 65, died a little more than a month after the assault from his injuries.