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Belleville News-Democrat: You should pick the politicians. They shouldn't pick you.
Tomorrow you head to the polls to vote in a party primary for state and congressional leaders. Last week we saw a positive move that could fix the broken process for deciding which state and congressional leaders speak for you and your neighbors.
Illinois pushed hard in 2016 to amend the Illinois Constitution so state legislative districts could be drawn by an independent commission. There were 570,000 registered voters who signed the petitions, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s cronies killed the effort in court.
Chicago Tribune: Ghost of old 'L' branch haunts Obama library project
When the Obama Presidential Center opens in about three years, visitors can get to it by car, Metra, bike or bus, but not by that most iconic form of Chicago transportation — the “L.”
That’s because a Green Line branch that would have led right to the center was torn down in 1997, after some community leaders complained that it was hurting development.
Northwest Herald: Crystal Lake-based School District 155 looking ahead to possible pension shift
Some school districts are starting to plan for the possibility that the state of Illinois will decide to shift pension payment responsibility to local school districts.
Community High School District 155 seems to have accepted that it might happen at some point, especially after Gov. Bruce Rauner suggested in February that doing so would lower property taxes.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Town to replace water mains, improve alley
With a controversial set of layoffs, service cuts and fee hikes behind them, Normal City Council is slated to OK several routine but significant maintenance projects Monday.