Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Crain's Chicago Business: Crunch time for Pritzker as Illinois lawmakers near key votes
Pritzker has four big items coming for up-or-down votes, and at this point, none of them appears to have locked up the votes to pass, even though Pritzker’s fellow Democrats control supermajorities in the House and Senate.
WBEZ: Audit Of Sexual Harassment Complaints In Speaker Madigan’s Office Delayed As Costs Climb
The ongoing investigation into sexual harassment complaints in House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office could cost Illinois taxpayers up to $1.4 million — and it’s unclear whether the findings will ever be made public.
Under fire from members of his own House Democratic Caucus, Madigan announced last June he had hired the law firm Schiff Hardin to conduct an investigation into how complaints of bullying and harassment from his then-chief of staff and members of his political organizations were handled in the speaker’s office.
Chicago Tribune: Growing recreational pot at home might not be allowed after all under Illinois legalization proposal, sponsors say
Just more than a week after introducing a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois, sponsors have begun retooling the measure to appease critics.
In one of the most fundamental changes, sponsors say it is likely they will eliminate a provision to let all adult state residents grow up to five plants at home.
Chicago Tribune: Ex-Markham mayor admits to bribery on stand as prosecutors play recording of public meeting in which he vowed: 'I will not let you down!'
Longtime Markham Mayor David Webb Jr. was getting some pushback from residents at a 2012 meeting over a park renovation deal when he launched into an impassioned defense of his stewardship of the impoverished city’s money.
“I need you to ride with me on this one!” Webb said at the meeting, according to a recording played Monday in a federal courtroom. “I will not let you down! I’m not gonna steer you wrong. I never have, and I guarantee you I never will.”
WBEZ: Advocates Say Time’s Up, Call For Vote On Chicago Elected School Board
Parents and advocates gathered downtown Monday to call on Illinois Senate President John Cullerton to vote on a bill that would make Chicago’s school board elected rather than appointed, but Cullerton’s office says he’s holding the bill at the request of Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot.
Lightfoot supports an elected school board but expressed deep reservations about the bill pending in the State House, calling the large board called for in the legislation a “recipe for disaster.” She did not respond to WBEZ’s request for comment on Monday.
Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot schedules Tuesday briefings on her plan to end aldermanic prerogative
Still in the dark about Lori Lightfoot’s City Council leadership team, aldermen will learn Tuesday how Chicago’s mayor-elect plans to deliver on her signature campaign promise.
Lightfoot has scheduled a series of aldermanic briefings at her transition office to outline her plan to issue an executive order on May 20 — inauguration day — ending aldermanic prerogative, the unwritten rule that has given aldermen virtually iron-fisted control over zoning and permitting in their wards.
Chicago Sun-Times: The end of Lincoln Towing? Hated Chicago company rebrands during license fight
Lincoln Towing, the company many Chicago parkers love to hate, is putting a new face forward to the public as it fights to keep its license to operate.
Over the weekend, a “Protective Parking Service” sign replaced the “Lincoln Towing Service” sign on the company’s headquarters at 4882 N. Clark St., said Basil Diab, a North Side accountant who sent a petition to City Council that garnered 3,000 signatures seeking to shut down Lincoln Towing.
Aurora Beacon-News: Sandwich mayor resigns after being charged with soliciting a prostitute
The mayor of Sandwich resigned Monday after he was one of nine people charged in a police investigation into soliciting a prostitute in LaSalle County last week.
Mayor Rick A. Olson, 66, was charged Friday with solicitation of a sexual act in connection with a March 14 incident, according to online court records.
Northwest Herald: McHenry County Conservation District plans to review budget, make cuts
The McHenry County Conservation District has decided to consider making cuts to its budget, which was rejected last week by a county committee.
A motion to reconsider the district’s fiscal 2020 budget with the intention of making cuts equal to a roughly $206,000 levy increase was unanimously approved by the district’s board during a special meeting Monday.
Champaign News-Gazette: Parking fines, liquor tax and more on Urbana council meeting agenda
A tax increase on package liquor, proposed late-fee increases on parking fines and a discussion on significant development proposals in town are all on the agenda for today’s Urbana City Council meeting.
In preparation for the annual budget process, city officials are recommending the council adopt an increase to the package liquor tax to 2 percent, a move that would increase revenues by an estimated $250,000 and decrease expenses by double that.