Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: John Cullerton resigns from Illinois Senate
John Cullerton’s political career, which spanned seven governors, including two who went to prison, has officially ended.
After more than four decades in office, Cullerton, who served as the 38th president of the Illinois Senate, resigned form his Senate seat Monday.
The Center Square: New Illinois Senate President makes progressive income tax top priority
Illinois’ new Senate President said the progressive income tax will be one of his top priorities, but Republicans worry the proposed tax structure would make Illinois less competitive at a time when the state’s population is declining.
New Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, faces a number of challenges heading into the start of the spring legislative session next week. Among them are how to address ethics regulations amid a sweeping federal corruption probe. He’ll also face challenges in crafting the upcoming state budget and dealing with frustrations over the state’s high property taxes.
Belleville News-Democrat: Madison County cracks down on vaping with new age restrictions, higher fines
A new law in Madison County is cracking down on vaping with fines up to $400.
The Madison County Board voted to ban the possession or use of vaping devices for anyone under the age of 21, brining local ordinance in line with state laws.
Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot planning an anti-poverty summit
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday she plans to convene an anti-poverty summit to marshal resources from the city, business community and philanthropic groups to rescue Chicagoans “trapped in the throes of generational poverty.”
Lightfoot campaigned on a promise to deliver “transformational change” to long-neglected South and West side neighborhoods.
Daily Herald: Term limits, school upgrades among Northwest suburban ballot questions
While their names may not be listed, a March 17 ballot question in Elk Grove Village will be a de facto referendum on Mayor Craig Johnson and his long-tenured board of trustees.
The binding municipal retroactive term limits question — if it survives remaining legal challenges — is among the queries voters in the Northwest suburbs will consider when they go to the polls March 17.
The Center Square: Report says federal tax reform could pressure local governments to hold the line on taxes
Federal tax changes from 2017 could make it more politically difficult for local governments to raise taxes, according to a report.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was the first sweeping change to the federal tax code since 1986. It lowered corporate taxes, removed individual tax brackets and broaden the personal standard deduction. To make up for that lower revenue, the state and local tax deduction was capped at $10,000. The dedication limit is often referred to as the SALT cap.
Daily Herald: Oakbrook Terrace mayor resigns
Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Tony Ragucci has resigned weeks after news surfaced that federal agents had seized $60,000 in cash from his home last year.
Ragucci submitted his resignation Friday, according to the Chicago Tribune. His name and picture no longer appear on the city’s website.