Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Rauner to issue bipartisan call in Wednesday speech after ripping Madigan
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday plans to issue a bipartisan call to lawmakers to work together to cut spending, roll back a tax hike and bring in more jobs, two days after calling Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan “a crook” during a campaign forum.
The theme of the governor’s noon State of the State speech is “Bringing Illinois Back,” a source familiar with his remarks said. It’s a recycled concept he’s long championed on the campaign trail and is resurrecting as he asks voters for four more years in office.
Associated Press: Illinois State Board of Education to hire storytellers
The agency overseeing what’s been dubbed the nation’s worst-funded public-school system plans to hire “storytellers” to relay tales of successes in Illinois classrooms.
The post on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website seeks applicants for storytellers at a minimum salary of $47,400. Spokeswoman Jaclyn Matthews said Tuesday that three will be hired.
State Journal-Register: Statehouse legislation would ban smoking until age 21
Illinois Democrats want to raise the legal age for smoking or chewing tobacco from 18 to 21.
State Sen. Julie Morrison of Deerfield and State Rep. Camille Lilly of Oak Park say it will stop teenagers from starting a deadly habit.
Chicago Sun-Times: More job-selling allegations emerge in Dorothy Brown investigation
A number of years ago — before federal authorities began investigating Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown for corruption — she told a reporter she’d heard such persistent rumors about job-selling at her government agency that she took the unusual step of telling her staff at a meeting that it wasn’t true.
But a newly filed court record provides further evidence that it not only was true, a number of people were either involved in the illegal scheme or knew about it — including a high-ranking, previously unnamed official in Brown’s office who was described as a central figure in the pay-to-play dealings.
WTTW Chicago Tonight: Education Equity Group Calls for Community Referendum on NTA Transition Plan
A local group focused on ending racial and class-based school segregation is asking the Chicago Board of Education to review alternative proposals and allow a community vote before a final decision is made on a plan to transform a high-performing Near South Side elementary into a high school.
Chicago United for Equity is calling for a public referendum after completing its racial equity assessment of Chicago Public Schools’ plan to convert the National Teachers Academy – a Level 1-plus elementary school serving primarily low-income, black students – into a high school.
Northwest Herald: Huntley water, sewer rates to increase in May
Huntley residents will see an increase in their water and sewer rates this spring that will add $9 a month to residents’ bimonthly bills.
The increase will go into effect May 1. A flat bimonthly fee of $4.50 for water and $4.50 for sewer will be added.
Northwest Herald: McHenry Township officials skeptical consolidation will save money after study says it won't
It’s a question that has haunted the consolidation debate for decades.
Would eliminating townships and road districts save taxpayers cash?
Illinois lawmakers are pushing harder than ever to consolidate smaller governments in a campaign they say will save taxpayers money – but a recent in-depth report paid for by a township lobbying group contradicts the argument that eliminating governments means lighter taxes.
Rockford Register-Star: Realtors urge Rockford voters to reject home rule referendum
Rockford Area Association of Realtors on Tuesday urged Rockford residents to vote “no” on the city’s March 20 home rule referendum, saying that home rule authority could be abused by raising taxes, taking on debt and imposing draconian property regulations.
Supporters of a referendum to restore home rule authority in Rockford say it is a set of powers granted to all cities in Illinois with more than 25,000 residents that would allow Rockford to escape some of the dysfunction of Springfield by giving the city greater authority to tax, regulate and implement solutions to local problems without needing permission or special legislation from the General Assembly.
State Journal-Register: Springfield seeks to tax Airbnb-like companies
Springfield aldermen on Tuesday moved forward a plan to add online travel companies, such as Airbnb, to those who pay the city’s 7 percent hotel-motel tax.
Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso, who co-sponsored the ordinance discussed at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, said the city would collect the tax on a monthly basis, similar to what it already does with hotels and motels in town.