Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Wisconsin launches ad blitz to lure Chicago's 'disillusioned' millennials
Wisconsin has launched a $1 million marketing blitz to convince Chicago millennials to trade their hot dogs for brats and move north of the border.
The campaign’s message — in social media, online advertising, and ads on “L” trains and in Chicago-area health clubs, restaurants and bars — is that Wisconsin offers lower rents, shorter commutes and a better quality of life for millennials “disillusioned” by Chicago
WTTW Chicago Tonight: New Plumbing Promised for Quincy Veterans Home
Illinois has spent at least $6.4 million on water system improvements to the state veterans home in Quincy since 2015, following three Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in as many years that have left 13 residents dead.
In the face of mounting criticism over his handling of the situation – and fresh off a weeklong stay at the facility – Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday promised additional upgrades, which the Illinois Veterans Affairs department estimates could cost upwards of $30 million.
Champaign News-Gazette: Eliminating townships has worked before in Illinois
It’s absurd to think the city council can simply absorb the township.”
So said a community member who expressed concerns about a suggestion by an Urbana City Council member that it might be time to eliminate a low-level branch of government — Cunningham Township — and fold its duties into the city with which it shares identical boundaries.
Chicago Tribune: Appointment of Chicago school board member to top CPS post conflicts with law
Acting Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson appointed a Chicago Board of Education member to a top district job Wednesday, a move that conflicts with a state law that prohibits board members from taking CPS posts for one year after leaving their board seat.
School board member Arnaldo Rivera, 37, a former aide to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, announced his resignation from the school board to become the district’s chief operating officer. His resignation opens a second board vacancy for Emanuel to fill after the departure of the Rev. Michael Garanzini last year.
Crain's Chicago Business: State blesses Peoples' $900 million budget for gas pipes
More than two years ago, state utility regulators slammed the brakes on Peoples Gas’ plan to spend $800 million over three years to replace aging gas mains in Chicago. Chairman Brien Sheahan at the time called the Illinois Commerce Commission’s action “a pretty strong rejection of that.”
Fast forward to today and Sheahan’s ICC, with votes provided solely by appointees of Gov. Bruce Rauner, approved a plan for the utility to spend even more—$900 million over three years.
Chicago Sun-Times: Private booters to get 21 percent fee hike
Five months ago, price-gouging concerns derailed a plan to empower private booters roaming free in more than half of Chicago’s 50 wards to raise boot removal fees by $30 in exchange for stiffer regulations.
On Wednesday, the second time was the charm for the ordinance championed by Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st) and embraced by the mayor’s administration to bolster consumer protection.
Northwest Herald: Algonquin Township officials in conflict over hire of 23-year-old deputy highway commissioner
The Algonquin Township Road District has a new deputy highway commissioner.
His name is Ryan Provenzano, a 23-year-old graduate of Marian Catholic High School and a former employee of McHenry Harley-Davidson.
Daily Herald: West Chicago District 94 teachers a step closer to going on strike
The union representing West Chicago High School teachers has declared an impasse in contract negotiations after almost two years at the table in a move that could set the stage for a strike as early as next month.
The union filed notice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board on Wednesday morning, just hours after its most recent bargaining session with the school board.
Daily Herald: Judge: Referendum on Aurora election law can go on March ballot
Residents of Aurora will decide March 20 whether county clerks will take over running their elections.
Kane County Judge David Akemann ruled Tuesday there were enough signatures on petitions to put a question on the ballot, and that the primary election was suitable for the vote.
State Journal-Register: Sales tax increase helps fund $26M middle school transformation in Jacksonville
The old Jacksonville Turner Junior High wasn’t an easy place to teach, says Alan Hallock, a seventh grade science teacher.
When it was hot outside, the temperature could eclipse 100 degrees in the classroom. And the mold in the building made it tough to breathe for someone with allergies.
Belleville News-Democrat: Madison County offices raided by police armed with 8 search warrants
Police on Wednesday raided at least two Madison County offices and temporarily sealed them with police tape.
Madison County Sheriff’s Lt. David Vucich confirmed that offices were raided in the county’s administration building. Vucich said the Sheriff’s Department has assisted in the investigation but is not the lead agency.