Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois sees lowest number of new coronavirus infections in more than two and a half months
Illinois logged another 19 coronavirus deaths Monday, and an additional 473 new cases of the deadly virus — the lowest number of new infections on any given day since the early days under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order.
Those new cases bring the state’s total to 133,016 cases and 6,326 deaths in 101 counties in the state.
The Center Square: New legislative commission aims to help revive Illinois’ economy in wake of pandemic
There’s a difference of opinion on what the role will be for the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission, created to help revive Illinois’ economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s leading business group is skeptical the group of lawmakers will meet its first deadline.
The commission was created by the state Legislature in a truncated pandemic special session last month. The governor signed the measure Friday.
Chicago Tribune: Video shows police gave CTA supervisor a choice: Drop complaint against Chicago officer or face arrest
When CTA supervisor Martesa Lee attempted to lodge a complaint against a Chicago police officer in February, she was given a choice:
Drop her grievance against the officer she accused of pushing her out of an unmarked crime scene on a Red Line platform or face possible arrest.
Capitol News Illinois: State announces expansion of emergency assistance programs
As Illinois prepares to enter the next phase of Gov. JB Pritzker’s reopening plan, his administration is launching a number of initiatives to help individuals and families who have been financially impacted from the economic shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, Pritzker was in Belleville to announce the expansion of two existing programs, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program, or LIHEAP, and the Community Services Block Grant program, which provide food, utility and other kinds of assistance to people who are struggling financially.
Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago working group to propose CPD use-of-force changes
This is not the first time the Chicago Police Department has overhauled its guidelines on how cops can use a gun, taser, pepper spray, baton or other “physical force and control tactics.” It adopted new ones in October 2017 after a community input process, too. “We will see if those revisions hold the test of time, and this is another opportunity for the community to be involved,” Lightfoot told reporters today.
The Center Square: Pritzker announces additional grants for low-income families
More funds have been allocated to assist low-income families in Illinois affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared in Belleville Monday along with officials from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announced an additional $90 million dollars would be made available through the CARES Act, to help families with food, rent, utility bills, medicine and other essential household services.
The Center Square: Pritzker announces additional grants for low-income families
More funds have been allocated to assist low-income families in Illinois affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared in Belleville Monday along with officials from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announced an additional $90 million dollars would be made available through the CARES Act, to help families with food, rent, utility bills, medicine and other essential household services.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois Republican Party sues Gov. J.B. Pritzker over 10-person gathering limit
The Illinois Republican Party sued Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in federal court Monday, seeking an exemption from the 10-person limit on public gatherings in the governor’s May 29 executive order.
The state GOP, along with three local Republican groups, argues that Pritzker’s limit on in-person gatherings, which is part of his plan to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, unfairly curtails people’s First Amendment rights. Republicans are asking the court to exempt political parties from the cap on gatherings and seeking permission to hold in-person gatherings without size restrictions in the run-up to the November election.
Chicago Sun-Times: Police union to oppose resumption of 12-hour shifts
The Fraternal Order of Police plans to go to court to force Chicago to cancel 12-hour shifts, saying they are a hazard to already burned-out Chicago police officers.
Union president John Catanzara also tied the longer shifts to the death of an off-duty officer after a carbon monoxide leak in his Albany Park home, calling it “clearly a tragic accident due to exhaustion.”
Chicago Tribune: Aldermen plan to file ordinance seeking removal of police from Chicago Public Schools
A group of aldermen on Monday announced they would introduce a plan to end the agreement that allows Chicago police officers to work inside Chicago public schools, amid growing calls from activists to stop the practice.
It remains to be seen whether the ordinance from South Side Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th, Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, and Northwest Side Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, gains any traction in the City Council.
The Center Square: After Illinois State Fair canceled, communities brace for economic hit
The economic cost of canceling the Illinois State Fair could top $80 million, according to some estimates.
State Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Springfield, used to own a restaurant on the other side of town from the fairgrounds in Springfield. He said the fair week has always been a big week for local businesses. Murphy said he understood a traditional fair wasn’t in the cards this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but he said Gov. J.B. Pritzker should have made the decision with more input from stakeholders and the legislature.
Crain's Chicago Business: Licensing cops? Here's how it could work here.
The licensing of police offers is gaining significant traction among the state’s leading Democrats.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Attorney General Kwame Raoul are strongly in favor, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s “looking hard” at the concept.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago aldermen advance $200,000 settlement for sister of man who died after paramedics didn’t treat him
The sister of a man who died after Chicago Fire Department paramedics responded to a call that he needed help but did not provide medical assistance is in line for $200,000 from the city.
The City Council Finance Committee advanced the settlement Monday for the sister of Charles Myles.