Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s legislative wins, Illinois ‘not out of the woods’ financially
The mood was upbeat earlier this month when state lawmakers wrapped up their spring session after passing a $40 billion budget and a $45 billion capital construction plan, both funded by millions of dollars in new and increased taxes and revenue streams.
Supporters of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s agenda hailed it as a new direction toward remedying Illinois’ chronically precarious finances, the state still owes billions of dollars in unpaid bills and unfunded pension liabilities.
Crain's Chicago Business: Who's really in charge in Springfield?
Crain’s political columnist Greg Hinz was first to unearth the measure buried within the fiscal 2019 budget package and shine a spotlight on it: an under-the-radar gift to the teachers unions that did so much to elect the man who signed the law, Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The little-noticed provision repeals a 2018 law intended to curb end-of-career salary spikes that some school districts grant retiring employees as a goodbye gift of sorts—a gift taxpayers statewide pay for via pensions funded by the Teachers’ Retirement System, a system that’s currently short a staggering $75 billion of what it needs to pay promised obligations.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot faces limited options to fill deep city budget hole
Before she even took office last month, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was telegraphing the need for help from Springfield to fix the city’s daunting financial problems she inherited.
But the state legislature went home this spring offering Chicago little help in the way of short term revenue-raising. With Lightfoot acknowledging Wednesday there’s “no question” taxes or fees will increase for Chicagoans as she tries to fill a 2020 budget hole that might touch $1 billion, the city could be largely on its own to find the money.
Chicago Tribune: Ex-Ald. Willie Cochran took to roof for $5,000 loan from pastor, looted ward's charity fund: prosecutors
Chicago Ald. Willie Cochran was in difficult financial straits in February 2012 when he made a peculiar pitch for cash on the roof of an abandoned motel in his South Side ward, federal prosecutors say.
That January, the longtime 20th Ward alderman had bounced a $6,600 personal check for his daughter’s tuition at Eastern Illinois University, and the ward charity fund he often used to cover personal expenses was drained of all but $7.21, according to prosecutors. Two recent gambling trips to Indiana casinos hadn’t paid off.
Chicago Sun-Times: Former Ald. Willie Cochran should serve at least 18 months in prison, prosecutors say
Before federal prosecutors gave their first word on how long they believe former Ald. Willie Cochran should serve in prison, they noted Cochran’s own words:
“I, Willie B. Cochran, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of alderman of the twentieth ward of the City of Chicago according to the best of my ability.”
Chicago Sun-Times: What you should know about the electric scooters launching Saturday
Starting Saturday, 2,500 electric scooters will be available to rent in a 50-mile test zone covering parts of the West, Southwest and Northwest sides.
The pilot program ends Oct. 15.
Daily Herald: Hoffman Estates recommends tax incentive for proposed technology park
Hoffman Estates officials are recommending the Cook County Board approve a Class 6B tax incentive for a proposed “Hoffman Technology Park” that would lie just north of the recently approved Bell Works redevelopment of the former AT&T campus along Lakewood Boulevard.
Plans for the 53-acre site were first presented last month by developer BK Equities, which is led by former executives of Rosemont-based Colliers International.