Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Bill to ban all red light cameras in Illinois moves out of House Rules Committee
A bill to ban all red-light cameras in the state could advance in Springfield.
Last week, state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, got House Bill 322 passed in the House with bipartisan support. That measure would ban red-light cameras in non-home rule municipalities, or municipalities with fewer than 25,000 residents. He also lifted a procedural hold called a “motion to reconsider” and said he expects it to soon be sent to the Illinois Senate.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois recreational marijuana customers spent $35M in February
Recreational marijuana customers spent almost $35 million at Illinois dispensaries in February, bringing the total amount spent since legal weed sales began Jan. 1 to about $74 million.
In January, recreational weed sales totaled more than $39.2 million, one of the strongest showings among states that have legalized marijuana.
Chicago Tribune: Cook County judge caught on video taking young girl into holding cell reassigned indefinitely
The judge caught on video marching a young girl into the holding cell behind her courtroom last month has been assigned to administrative duties until further notice, according to Chief Judge Timothy Evans’ office.
Judge Jackie Portman-Brown had already been removed from her post overseeing felony cases at the Leighton Criminal Court Building effective last week — the day the security video surfaced.
Chicago Tribune: 2 Chicago cops involved in CTA Red Line shooting are stripped of their police powers
Two police officers involved in the shooting of an unarmed 33-year-old man at a busy CTA Red Line station last week have been stripped of their police powers by interim Chicago Police Superintendent Charlie Beck.
“As a result of the Superintendent’s review of the incident, both of the involved officers have been relieved of their police powers pending the outcome of the external reviews into this matter,” police spokesman Tom Ahern said in a statement.
The Center Square: Bill would allow barbers, others to practice without state license
A state lawmaker is defending his bill to allow barbers, cosmeticians, hair braiders and nail technicians to work without a state license.
Illinois requires people to obtain a number of hours of training and continued education to get a state license. Cosmetologists are required to get 1,500 hours of education, the same for a barber license. An esthetician license requires 750 hours. The requirement is 350 hours for nail technicians, and 300 hours for hair braiding. There are other regulations for salons and barbershops.
Chicago Sun-Times: Casey Urlacher, others plead not guilty in alleged gambling ring case
The brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher joined a crowd of defendants who stood before a federal judge Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to their alleged roles in a multimillion-dollar sports gambling ring the feds say involved as many as 1,000 people.
Casey Urlacher, mayor of north suburban Mettawa, stood at the back of the group that formed in front of U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall — a group including nine defendants and their attorneys.