Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Online sports betting could soon be in hand for Illinois gamblers
When legal sports betting launched in Illinois three months ago, some gamblers might’ve expected they’d be placing wagers on the White Sox from inside Guaranteed Rate Field by mid-June.
Instead, they soon could be betting on an unprecedented mid-summer Blackhawks playoff series from the phones in the palms of their hands.
Chicago Tribune: In wake of looting, Chicago to spend $1.2 million on private security firms to help protect businesses
The city of Chicago will spend up to $1.2 million to hire three private security firms to help prevent a repeat of last weekend’s chaotic civil unrest and looting that erupted amid protests over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office said.
The city has hired Illinois Security Professionals, AGB Investigative Services and Monterrey Security “to supply more than 100 private security guards to protect the local retail shops, grocery stores and pharmacies that community members rely on every single day.”
Chicago Sun-Times: Police Board president files complaint after being struck by CPD during weekend protests
The president of the Chicago Police Board — the mayorally appointed body that metes out discipline for Chicago Police officers — said Friday he was struck by an officer during last weekend’s protests in Kenwood.
“I, indeed, was one of several individuals physically hit and struck by Chicago police on Sunday as they clashed with protestors,” Board president Ghian Foreman said in a statement issued Friday afternoon. “I was not participating in the protest, but coincidentally encountered the demonstration at a moment when it became confrontational.”
Federal court monitor launches investigation into Chicago police actions during unrest
The independent monitor in charge of reviewing Chicago’s police reform efforts announced Friday that she is launching an investigation into actions by Chicago police officers during recent unrest.
Independent Monitor Maggie Hickey announced the probe during a federal court hearing conducted by phone.