Get the latest news from around Illinois.
WBEZ: Breaking down the ComEd patronage scandal – and what's next for Madigan
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has attained two distinctions since becoming a legislative leader during Ronald Reagan’s first term and before personal computers were a thing.
First, the Southwest Side Democrat has become the longest-serving legislative House speaker in American history. Second, he’s managed to avoid criminal charges in a state so infamous for its array of political rapscallions that the word “corruption” might be chiseled into the official state credo.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Illinois House progressives say Speaker Michael Madigan should step down if allegations involving ComEd are true
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said if allegations involving Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who for decades has been at the controls of whether legislation lives or dies inside the State Capitol, and the state’s largest utility Commonwealth Edison are true then he should step down.
Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor, went further in her comments on Monday than she did previously and echoed the sentiments of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and a bloc of progressive lawmakers in Madigan’s House Democratic caucus. But she said she stopped short of calling for him to step down because he hasn’t been charged with a crime.
Crain's Chicago Business: GOP wants hearings on whether ComEd scandal bilked ratepayers
And they’re calling for a special legislative session to consider adopting tighter new ethics laws in wake of ComEd’s statement to federal prosecutors that it sought to influence and reward House Speaker Mike Madigan for passing legislation the company wanted.
State Journal Register: Illinois teachers union: Most schools should not reopen this fall
The union that represents about half of the state’s educators and school employees says most schools, colleges and universities should not reopen for in-person instruction this fall.
Everyone from President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos down to the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging schools to reopen this fall with safety precautions because of the lingering concerns about the coronavirus pandemic that continues to sweep across the country in record numbers.
Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago rolls back some reopening rules amid COVID rise
The restrictions take effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Bars without a food license will not be allowed to serve alcohol indoors. Bars that don’t serve food will still be able to provide outdoor service. Restaurants will be allowed to stay open, but maximum party size and table occupancy will be reduced to six people.
The Center Square: Teacher unions at odds over in-person instruction this fall
Illinois’ school-age kids are weeks from returning for the fall semester and the state’s teacher unions are not on the same page about whether school districts should open for in-person instruction or online-only education.
One leader “hopes” it doesn’t come to a statewide strike situation.
State Journal Register: Pritzker defends ICC chair
Gov. JB Pritzker expressed support for the chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission Monday despite her being related to someone allegedly involved in the bribery scheme with Commonwealth Edison.
Pritzker said there is no indication that ICC chair Carrie Zalewski had any involvement with the ComEd scheme revealed by federal prosecutors Friday that has been tied to House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Crain's Chicago Business: Former McPier boss no longer on ComEd's board
Ochoa, without ceremony or mention, left ComEd’s board before April 3 when it filed its annual proxy with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. In the document, ComEd made no mention of his departure or the reasons for it. He simply wasn’t listed among the director nominated for re-election.
Chicago Sun-Times: COPA reviewing video that shows police SUV driving on sidewalk, striking protester near Lightfoot’s home
A video posted to social media shows an unmarked Chicago police SUV driving on a sidewalk Saturday night and striking a protester as hundreds gathered near Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Logan Square home to decry the alleged police brutality that took when demonstrators attempted to tear down a Grant Park statue of Christopher Columbus a day earlier.
On Sunday, a police spokesperson said the incident is being reviewed by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which investigates misconduct allegations lodged against officers.
Belleville News-Democrat: Here’s how the marijuana industry may boost Belleville’s economy
After seeing other metro-east cities get a taste of the state’s burgeoning legal marijuana industry, aldermen on Monday will consider granting permits to the first marijuana-related business seeking to operate in Belleville.
Shalondria Simpson, a pharmacist from Texas, is asking the city for a special-use permit to operate an indoor pot farm that could have up to $6 million in annual gross revenue, according to her “conservative” estimate listed in her application.
News-Gazette: Champaign proposes expanding eligibility for COVID Small Business Grant program
City staff want to expand who is eligible for Champaign’s COVID Small Business Grants, which are funded by $520,000 in federal Community Development Block Grants.
Since the application for the grants launched, 68 businesses have applied, city staff said in a packet to the council. The 30 that hadn’t received any financial assistance elsewhere were prioritized, while the remaining were wait-listed.
Chicago Sun-Times: Woman punched in the face by CPD officer during protest wants him ‘relieved of his duties’
Miracle Boyd, the woman seen in a social media video being punched in the face by a Chicago police officer during a protest, says she wants the officer “relieved of his duties.”
Boyd, 18, who lost at least one tooth during the incident in Grant Park, said Monday during a rally on the South Side that she is “disgusted” at being a “victim to the biggest gang in America,” referring to the police.