Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Champaign News-Gazette: A worthy experiment
The Governor should sign the township bill and see how it plays out in McHenry County.
The 50 states that make up the United States are often characterized as “laboratories of democracy.” The reference refers to the public-policy experimentation that our federal/state systems not only permit, but also encourage.
If the governor and legislators in one state want to try out something new, the results they get — good or bad — can be used as guidance for governors and legislators in other states.
WTTW Chicago Tonight: Pritzker Agenda Coming Down to the Wire
From the onset, Gov. J.B. Pritzker was specific about what he wanted to have happen during his first year in office.
The General Assembly approved one of his major initiatives, a higher statewide minimum wage, early on.
Chicago Sun-Times: RTA chairman on agency’s piece of pie from Pritzker’s capital plan: It’s great, but not enough
An infusion of $2.8 billion to Chicago-area mass transit agencies — to be doled out over six years under a capital plan proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — is great, but not enough, a top transit official said this week.
The CTA, Pace and Metra need that much on a yearly basis, Kirk Dillard, head of the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the three transit agencies, said Monday.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces key hires for her new administration, some Rahm Emanuel appointees will stay
On her second day in office, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the hiring of several top officials and reiterated that some of her predecessor’s high-ranking agency heads would be staying on in her administration.
Lightfoot also held her first Cabinet meeting Tuesday, which she said was focused primarily on team-building. Lightfoot said she’ll be meeting with the full group of top city officials on a quarterly basis, interspersed with smaller meetings around subjects such as public safety.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot hires private security operator married to lobbyist to run her security detail
New Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s security detail will be headed up by a former U.S. marshal who’s married to a city lobbyist for United Airlines, in a departure from Chicago mayors traditionally relying on city police officers to keep them safe.
James Smith is a managing partner at Silver Star Protection Group. His wife is Margaret Houlihan-Smith, the onetime managing director of corporate and government affairs for United. Houlihan-Smith now lobbies the city on behalf of United and AT&T, according to city records.
Chicago Sun-Times: Secretary of State’s office probing Van Pelt’s pot-related endeavors
In a promotional video advertising her online cannabis investment workshops, state Sen. Patricia Van Pelt assured she wants to “help some people get rich.”
The video, posted online in January, shows Van Pelt talking to a crowd about the prospect of becoming “marijuana millionaires” and says her knowledge of the industry will help people invest in it and make money.
Daily Herald: Des Plaines finalizes deal to let Onesti run downtown theater
Des Plaines aldermen have finalized a deal to let Onesti Entertainment Corporation lease and operate the city’s downtown theater, a major step in restoring the shuttered venue.
The city council voted unanimously Monday to approve a five-year agreement with the company owned by Ron Onesti. Onesti also operates the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles and the Rock ‘N Ravioli Restaurant and Music Hall and the Bourbon ‘N Brass Speakeasy & Jazz Club in Evanston.
Daily Herald: Airport tenants could be prosecuted for delinquent taxes
DuPage Airport Authority tenants who are delinquent paying property taxes could be prosecuted by the state’s attorney under a bill approved Tuesday by the Illinois House of Representatives.
The bill now awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature to become law.
Peoria Journal-Star: East Peoria council approves $36.6 million sewer bid
Sixteen years in the planning, the East Peoria City Council on Tuesday approved spending $36.6 million for a sewer system overhaul that customers have already begun to pay for with increased user fees.
“It’s time we quit kicking this down the road and get this project started,” said Mayor John Kahl. ”(The existing system) is at the end of its useful life, and if we wait any longer, the costs will only continue to rise.”