Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Promises, promises. Pritzker's pension fix is more smoke and mirrors
Gov. J.B. Pritzker will unveil his first state budget Wednesday and there’s a lot riding on it. Illinois finances are a mess, and Pritzker promised to introduce a truly balanced budget with no gimmicks. He won the November election largely based on former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s inability to resolve the state’s financial issues. Voters are paying attention.
His noon speech from the House floor will include some Rauner shaming and applause lines. But if Pritzker is serious about the budget, there’s only one target he has to hit: pensions. So far, he’s missing it.
Chicago Tribune: In blow to Obama Presidential Center backers, judge allows lawsuit challenging Chicago's Jackson Park location to proceed
In a setback to plans to build the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side lakefront, a federal judge ruled Tuesday that a lawsuit challenging its location can proceed.
U.S. Judge John Robert Blakey said in a written ruling that the environmental group Protect Our Parks has enough legal ground to bring some of its objections before him. Blakey did toss out parts of the lawsuit filed against the city of Chicago and the Park District.
State Journal-Register: Pritzker names three cabinet directors
Gov. J.B. Pritzker continued on Tuesday to fill out his cabinet, appointing three new agency directors.
Pritzker named Grace Hou, 49, of LaGrange to head up the Department of Human Services. She is currently president of the Woods Fund Chicago, which makes grants to community organizations fighting poverty and racism. Hou, though, has previous experience at the giant agency that administers a wide range of programs for mental health, child welfare, medical assistance and food assistance programs. She served as assistance secretary in the department from 2002 to 2012 during the tenure of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Belleville News-Democrat: Would you pay a tax for every mile you drive on Illinois roads? Lawmaker says idea not ready.
A bill that would test a mileage tax for vehicles driving on state roads has been tabled, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead.
Chicago Democrat Marcus Evans last week filed House Bill 2864, establishing a pilot program for a 2.1-cent tax on every mile a vehicle is driven on state roads.
The Southern: Gov. Pritzker to appoint new manager to oversee Du Quoin, Springfield state fairs
The two state fairs in Illinois will get yet another a new manager.
State Fair Manager Luke Sailer was relieved of his duties in mid-January, according to Denise Albert, communications director for Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Chicago Sun-Times: Community Development Commission OKs $900 million TIF for Lincoln Yards
The Community Development Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved the largest tax-increment-financing subsidy in Chicago history — $900 million — to unlock the development potential of the $6 billion Lincoln Yards development.
Ignoring demands to hold off until after the inauguration of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s successor, the panel of mayoral appointees agreed to create a new, 168-acre TIF; the proceeds will be used to reimburse developer Sterling Bay for a host of infrastructure projects.
WBEZ: Chicago Alderman Told Staff To Take Off Shirts For ‘Contest,’ Says Ex-Aide
Just days before voters decide whether they want Chicago Ald. “Proco” Joe Moreno to keep his seat in Chicago’s City Council, he’s facing a potentially damaging sexual harassment complaint from a former aide.
Belia Portillo, who handled social-media accounts for Moreno in 2014 and 2015, says he made highly inappropriate comments to staff who gathered at a bar after the gay pride parade on the North Side.
Chicago Tribune: CTA will add food, phone charging and photo booth vendors this spring
The CTA will be adding specialty vending machines that will offer food, phone charging services and even photos starting this spring, according to officials.
At many stops on the CTA Red Line, people will be able to rent or buy cellphone charging battery packs from 35 MobileQube kiosks. Farmer’s Fridge food vending machines will be installed at four stops, offering salads, soups, sandwiches and snacks. A photo booth where people can buy photos for visas or passports, or just for fun, will be installed at the Chicago Red Line station.
Northwest Herald: McHenry County Republicans call for Highway Commissioner Andrew Gasser's resignation
A letter calling for the resignation of Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Andrew Gasser is now circulating between McHenry County’s Republican leaders.
The letter addresses GOP chairwoman Diane Evertsen, who could not be reached for comment.
Rockford Register-Star: Rockford panel seeks better policing in black communities
More education. More engagement.
Both are needed if police and the communities they are sworn to protect are to reach a mutual understanding.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Heartland OKs tuition hike, creates new enrollment VP post
The Heartland Community College board of trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved a net increase of $5 per credit hour in tuition and fees for the 2019-20 academic year while also creating a new position as part of an effort to increase enrollment.
Tuition and fees will increase to $158 per credit hour starting with the summer term, a 3.3 percent increase over the current $153 per credit hour. For a student taking 15 credit hours a semester, that would be a total of $2,370 a semester, an increase of $75.