Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: No more limits on campaign cash donations in governor's race
It was only a matter of time before campaign donation limits would be lifted for next year’s race for governor. But the time happened quickly when Democratic businessman Chris Kennedy put $250,100 into his campaign fund.
Under state law, the standard limits on campaign donations are lifted when any candidate in a statewide race gives themselves more than $250,000, or when an outside independent expenditure group uses that amount of money to try to influence the outcome of an election.
Chicago Sun-Times: Lean times for lawmakers come to an end with paycheck ruling
State Rep. Jaime Andrade planned to be a full-time lawmaker when he was appointed to his seat in 2013, but legislating has not exactly provided a reliable paycheck.
Andrade and his fellow members of the General Assembly have gone without their monthly salaries in seven of the past eight months, according to Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who last week announced she would release about $8.3 million in back pay after a Cook County judge ruled that lawmakers can be paid even if they haven’t passed a budget in two years and counting.
State Journal-Regiser: The injustice of the lawmaker pay ruling
As Illinois state lawmakers go about spending their paychecks, we hope they stop for a minute to think about who isn’t getting paid.
Social service agencies. Hospitals and doctors. Universities.
Belleville News-Democrat: All along the watchtower, cameras kept the view
A recent story about Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner proposing cameras to replace guards in the towers at our lesser-security state prisons was captivating.
The technology could potentially do a better job, reduce the number of guards and shift more to where they can better control the inmates and save $4 million a year. The story went on to say that Pennsylvania did it and saved $5 million and Michigan did it and saved $15 million.
Chicago Tribune: Ex-CPS chief Vallas expected to take the helm at Chicago State University
Chicago State University trustees will vote on potential leadership changes at a Monday morning meeting, where it is widely expected ex-Chicago Public Schools chief Paul Vallas will be given a top administrative role.
The board is convening for a special session, which was added to the schedule amid a frenetic week of rumors and political wrangling.
Chicago Sun-Times: Students languish amid grandstanding at Chicago State University
There are three rich ironies about Chicago State University.
Our politics have taken a new, byzantine turn. On Monday, the university’s board of trustees are scheduled to consider Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s recommendation that Paul Vallas be put in charge of the predominantly African American school on the city’s Far South Side.
News-Gazette: Constitutional prescription
Federal judge strikes down an Illinois law that infringed on the First Amendment rights of those in the medical marijuana industry.
For those in the medical marijuana business in Illinois, you’ll soon be free to make political contributions. Until last Friday, that wasn’t the case.
U.S. Judge John Z. Lee in Chicago declared unconstitutional an Illinois law that banned marijuana facilities from making political contributions and candidates from accepting such contributions. As have other legislative attempts to fetter campaign contributions, the law violated the donors’ and the candidates’ First Amendment rights to free speech and association.
State Journal-Register: Two years later, universal license plate still isn’t in production
Illinois has adopted a universal specialty license plate in order to limit the number of specialized plates on Illinois’ roads, but two years later, it still hasn’t been issued.
The General Assembly and governor approved a decal law that became effective last July. Instead of the state adding more specialty plates to the staggering 109 it has now, all new plates would be the universal design.
Chicago Tribune: Marijuana advocates push for legalization as Illinois budget boost
Marijuana advocates are trying to lay the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state in the Midwest and the ninth nationwide to legalize recreational pot, arguing the move will help solve the state’s notorious budget crisis.
Two Illinois state lawmakers introduced legislation last week that would allow residents 21 and older to possess, grow or buy up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana and license businesses to sell marijuana products subject to regulation. They say it would help fill Illinois’ multibillion-dollar budget hole with $350 million to $700 million in new tax revenue.
Chicago Sun-Times: After Midway deal, restaurateurs gave big to Rahm
After getting clearance for takeoff from City Hall a month ago, a clout-heavy group of business interests stands to profit richly from providing expanded restaurants and stores at Chicago’s No. 2 airport.
Not long after the Midway Airport deal was finally approved, restaurateurs with a stake in the winning proposal showed their love for Mayor Rahm Emanuel — in the form of big contributions to the mayor’s campaign fund.
Chicago Tribune: Lengthy grievance process allows Chicago cops to delay punishment for years
Two Chicago police officers standing near their squad car, with two men handcuffed in the back seat, claimed to see nothing.
But onlookers saw so much that they called 911 and also later recounted a horrifying scene to investigators. They described how the police car shook as a man — an off-duty sergeant, as it turned out — reached in and repeatedly punched one of the arrestees.
Peoria Journal-Star: Is Peoria Township supervisor’s office worth its cost?
A usual sleepy public office in Peoria seems to be receiving an inordinate amount of attention this election season. But not for why it should receive inordinate attention, necessarily.
The race for Peoria Township supervisor acquired a new wrinkle last week when a defeated Democratic-primary candidate office issued a public endorsement of the Republican nominee, Dan Sullivan.
Decatur Herald & Review: Sales tax should only be stopgap fix
Let’s quickly get two points out of the way about Macon County’s proposed quarter-cent public safety tax on the April 4 ballot.
First: We support law enforcement. It’s unquestionably a dangerous, mostly thankless career that way too people take for granted. They deserve our support.