Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Associated Press: Lawmakers seek independent probe of House speaker's office
Three female Democratic state representatives are calling for an independent investigation of House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office.
Thursday’s announcement comes a day after an employee accused Madigan’s chief of staff of making lewd comments and mishandling complaints of sexual harassment. Tim Mapes resigned, making him the second top Democratic leader forced out in less than a week.
Champaign News-Gazette: Plenty of sleight of hand in this 'balanced' budget
They say — and the machinations of the General Assembly over the past three years demonstrate — that it’s difficult to pass a balanced budget for the state of Illinois.
But it’s no problem that a little hocus-pocus can’t easily resolve, as shown by the $38.5 billion budget passed overwhelmingly by members of the Illinois House and Senate and signed into law this week by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Chicago Tribune: Harvey cuts deal for $1.3M in withheld taxes, escapes financial crisis for now — but city still owes millions
Behind on paying its waste hauler and in danger of missing payroll, Harvey scrambled this week to reach an agreement to access a portion of the $2.35 million in tax revenues the state comptroller has withheld from the city over a payment dispute with its police and fire pension funds.
The deal provides Harvey a desperately needed infusion of cash but represents only a temporary fix because it applies solely to funds the state already has withheld, not to funds it will continue to intercept going forward.
Chicago Tribune: SIU board chair blasts colleagues attempting to replace president
The chairwoman of the Southern Illinois University board fired back at two trustees who sought to oust President Randy Dunn, calling the move a “power play.”
The board’s vice chairman, J. Phil Gilbert, and secretary, Joel Sambursky, unexpectedly on Wednesday convened a meeting of the board’s executive committee — made up of them and Chairwoman Amy Sholar — for Friday to consider two items: putting Dunn on administrative leave and appointing an acting president. Late Thursday, Sambursky called for Friday’s meeting to be cancelled.
Chicago Sun-Times: The Donald and The Alderman break up; Burke no longer doing tax work for Trump
“Irreconcilable differences” have led to countless divorces. Now, the same reason is being given for the breakup of President Donald Trump and Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th).
The powerful Chicago alderman’s small law firm had worked for Trump for 12 years, persuading Cook County officials to cut the property taxes on the president’s namesake downtown skyscraper by a total of more than $14 million.
Northwest Herald: Algonquin Township man waiting on highway department to fix property damaged by snowplow
Steve Page has waited months for the Algonquin Township Highway Department to make good on a promise to fix a landscaping block a township snowplow destroyed in February.
He refuses to wait any longer.
Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus: Coal Valley OKs amended U.S. 6 TIF expansion
An amended expansion and financing for the U.S. 6 TIF district was approved by the village board Wednesday night.
Trustees voted 4-0 to approve the amended expansion to the district. Trustees Stan Engstrom and Jake Hoyt were absent.