Public notifications of accelerated pension payments for two retiring non-union city employees top a light agenda for the City Council to consider Monday.
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Chicago Sun-Times: Ex-state Sen. Martin Sandoval charged with bribery, filing false income tax return
Federal prosecutors have charged former state Sen. Martin Sandoval with bribery and filing a false tax return, four months after they targeted his home and offices in a high-profile raid.
The new charges revolve around Sandoval’s support for red-light cameras.
State Journal-Register: New law limits business license restrictions
Illinoisans with a criminal record now have a wider path for launching a business as a new law reduces restrictions on applying for professional licenses.
Rep. Lamont Robinson Jr., D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 2670 last year, it passed the General Assembly in May, Gov. JB Pritzker signed it in August, and it took effect Jan. 1.
Pantagraph: Two city employees' retirements trigger public notifications of accelerated pension payments
State law requires city officials disclose any accelerated pension payments to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, but the council is not required to act when it meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Daily Herald: Judge orders Elk Grove term limits question be placed on ballot
A Cook County judge Monday ordered Elk Grove Village’s clerk to certify a local term limits question, ensuring it will appear on the March 17 ballot.
But whether it will actually count — potentially putting an end to the long tenure of Mayor Craig Johnson and other village board members — depends on the forthcoming appeals process, as two separate objections to the referendum could go all the way to the state Supreme Court.
Chicago Sun-Times: CPD decommissions ‘Strategic Subject List’
After 10 years, the Chicago Police Department has decommissioned an enormous database that, ostensibly, used analytics in an effort to predict which people are most likely to be involved in shootings — as either the shooter or the victim.
The “Strategic Subject List” was quietly put out to pasture in November, according to the Office of the Inspector General, which had raised several issues regarding the program’s efficacy.
Northwest Herald: McHenry County Board to host special meeting to discuss benefit eliminations for members
The McHenry County Board will conduct a special Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday to discuss the possibility of eliminating health insurance and mileage reimbursement benefits offered to board members.
Two resolutions eliminating these benefits – which were spearheaded by board members Michael Vijuk, Paula Yensen and Kelli Wegener – were brought before the Administrative Services Committee earlier this month.
Shaw Media Illinois: Oswego School District Board to vote on issuing $25M in tax warrants
The Oswego School District 308 Board of Education is expected to vote on a motion to authorize the issuance of $25 million in Tax Anticipation Warrants (TAWs) during their next meeting set for Monday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Oswego East High School, 1525 Harvey Road, Oswego.
TAWs serve as short-term loans that can be issued by a school district in advance of the collection of property taxes.
Pantagraph: Federal lawsuit accuses Normal police of conspiracy in theft of money
A federal lawsuit has been filed against the town of Normal, Police Chief Rick Bleichner and three members of the police department in connection with a case in which a Normal police officer is charged with stealing $12,000.
Brian Williams has pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony theft and two counts of official misconduct. He was arrested Dec. 1 by Illinois State Police after he allegedly placed a money bag in a phone booth at a Pontiac gas station after making arrangements for the dropoff with a relative at the home from which the money was missing, according to criminal court documents.
Southern Illinoisan: East St. Louis official facing major fines runs as write-in
An East St. Louis elected official barred from the ballot because he owes more than $150,000 in fines to the State Board of Elections is running as a write-in candidate for a precinct committeeman post, according to a published report.
The move comes after unsuccessful attempts to reach a settlement on the fines owed by East St. Louis Township Supervisor Alvin Parks.