Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Associated Press: Capitol had its share of sexual misconduct missteps
As the sexual misconduct wave hit Hollywood, the media and other industries last fall, an open letter circulated through the Illinois Capitol demanding an end to a culture of disrespectful treatment of women. Lawmakers have been trying to decide the best way to respond, but finding consensus has been more difficult than anticipated.
The governor eventually signed legislation requiring sexual harassment training for lawmakers and others working in the Statehouse, but the debate revealed problems in reviewing such complaints.
Chicago Sun-Times: Prevailing wage is price city must pay for other reforms, mayoral aides say
Chicago taxpayers will save $12 million a year by 2021, thanks to health care reforms and increased employee contributions tied to a new five-year agreement with unionized city employees.
Even with those savings, the agreement with unions representing motor truck drivers, plumbers, laborers and members of the building trades will cost the city $12.5 million this year and $57.8 million in the fifth and final year of the agreement.
Crain's Chicago Business: Blue-collar city workers to get 2.1% raises for five years
Blue-collar city workers will get average pay hikes of 2.1 percent a year in each of the next five years—an increase that, after health insurance savings, will cost taxpayers an additional $58 million a year by 2022 and is likely to set the pattern for agreements for police, firefighters and other, bigger worker units.
That’s the word from City Hall as officials briefed aldermen and reporters on the details of a tentative contract agreement covering workers for 15 different departments and 31 unions, including laborers, truck drivers, plumbers, electricians and tradespeople.
Northwest Herald: McHenry Township trustees vote no to putting road district consolidation question to voters
McHenry Township trustees voted down a measure to place a referendum before voters in the November election asking them whether they want to abolish the road district and consolidate it into the township.
The 3-2 vote at Thursday night’s trustees meeting brought to a standstill the consolidation efforts of Trustee Bob Anderson, who began his fight to abolish townships three decades ago.
Daily Herald: Elk Grove Township District 59 pulls bond referendum off ballot
A referendum on whether Elk Grove Township District 59 should issue up to $20 million in bonds has been canceled.
School board members voted 4-3 Thursday to pull the question off the primary ballot, abandoning the district’s intent to borrow money to pay for construction projects and help balance the budget.
Daily Herald: College of DuPage's legal bill to fight Breuder lawsuit: $527,600 and climbing
The College of DuPage has incurred at least $527,600 in legal expenses defending the 2015 decision by former board Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton and three trustees to fire former President Robert Breuder and deny him a controversial $763,000 buyout.
That number, obtained from the college through a Freedom of Information Act request, likely will climb significantly higher because it includes bills only through last May. COD officials say there are additional bills but the college can’t release them until it confirms that its insurance provider has paid them.
Daily Herald: West Dundee to consider new downtown, Route 31 TIF district
West Dundee is moving forward to establish a new special taxing district officials hope will spur economic activity and fund a downtown redevelopment project.
The proposed tax increment financing district would cover part of the downtown area, properties along Route 31 south of Route 72, and land off Route 31 owned by the Haeger family, according to village documents. Trustees this week agreed to schedule a public hearing March 19 regarding the TIF plan, which incorporates 258 parcels.
State Journal-Register: Moody’s report: If Springfield doesn’t change, credit rating will be downgraded
Moody’s Investors Service issued a report Thursday maintaining the city of Springfield’s and City Water, Light and Power’s water fund’s downgraded credit ratings, though the agency revised both of the ratings’ outlooks from stable to negative.
“The outlook means we believe that if the city keeps going in the same direction, it will get downgraded,” said Moody’s spokesman David Jacobson. A negative outlook could mean a downgrade within 12 months to two years, according to the report.
Belleville News-Democrat: After office raids, Prenzler says he wants public corruption eradicated
Hours after the Madison County administration building was raided by police, County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said he is “committed to eradicating all forms of public corruption.”
“I support all legitimate criminal investigations,” Prenzler, a Republican, stated in a press release Thursday.