Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois Democrats, force Michael Madigan's hand
It’s proper that House Speaker Michael Madigan acknowledges his failure to be a leader in the fight against sexual harassment and bullying in Illinois government and politics. It’s also stunning, given his clenched grip on power and his reluctance to take responsibility for the state of this state. We can’t remember the last time Madigan publicly displayed such humility.
“Everyone has a right to work without fear of harassment, abuse or retaliation. We haven’t done enough. I take responsibility,” he told his Democratic Party minions.
Associated Press: More state Democrats want probe into misconduct at Madigan offices
A growing number of Illinois Democrats are calling for an independent investigation into longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan’s political and state operations, after a second worker in a week was dismissed for misconduct.
Several Democratic lawmakers and the top Democratic candidates for governor are among those who say they have questions about how Madigan has handled complaints of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. In addition to serving as House speaker, Madigan is also chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Another problem for Boss Madigan — Bob Rita
Democratic Boss Madigan has been frantically trying to put out fires over recent allegations that his top political soldiers have harassed women.
And now there’s another fire for Madigan, from an old ember that’s been smoldering for years in Blue Island, and now blazes again:
State Rep. Bob Rita.
Chicago Tribune: Rauner 're-evaluating' whether to move veterans out of Quincy home after more Legionnaires' cases
Gov. Bruce Rauner said Wednesday his administration is re-evaluating whether to move residents out of the Quincy Veterans Home following new cases of Legionnaires’ disease as his primary challenger continues to push him on the issue.
“Moving the veterans is an option that we’ve evaluated in the past. We will be evaluating it again now and at all times. We’re evaluating every possible opportunity to keep our veterans safe,” Rauner told reporters at the Thompson Center.
Chicago Tribune: Food truck owner hopes to take fight against Chicago to Illinois Supreme Court
A cupcake food truck owner who believes Chicago’s regulations — including a rule requiring mobile vendors stay at least 200 feet away from bricks-and-mortar restaurants — are unconstitutional is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to take up her lawsuit.
If the state Supreme Court obliges, it will be the next step in a lengthy legal battle that began after Chicago announced new food truck regulations in 2012. Laura Pekarik, owner of the Cupcakes for Courage food truck business, filed a petition to the state Supreme Court late last week after the appellate court ruled in the city’s favor in December.
Daily Herald: $80,000 tollway hire's last job was selling office furniture in 2001
A politically connected Illinois tollway employee hired last year for an important $80,016 engineering department job last worked in 2001 as an account executive selling office furniture.
Laura Durkin is the agency’s general manager of engineering and sister-in-law to Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs. Tollway officials recently released Laura Durkin’s resume to the Daily Herald after withholding it for weeks.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Heartland OKs $5 per-credit-hour tuition hike
Tuition will increase $5 per credit hour starting this summer at Heartland Community College, following action by the board of trustees on Tuesday night.
Tuition will go from the current $137 per credit hour to $142 per credit hour. Fees of $7 for student life, $2 for program development and facilities enhancement and $2 for the learning management system will remain unchanged.
Belleville News-Democrat: No raises in sight for Madison County board members, some elected officials
Madison County board members and officials elected this November won’t see raises for several years after the Republican-majority board approved a measure Wednesday to set and freeze their salaries.
Under the new measure, salaries for the county clerk, treasurer and sheriff, all up for reelection Nov. 6, will be set at $110,115 for the next four years — starting Dec. 1 and ending Nov. 30, 2022.