Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Report: South Dakota has least, Illinois most coronavirus restrictions
A new analysis of how governors have responded to the coronavirus threat indicates that residents in Midwest and Western states are experiencing the least coronavirus restrictions. The exception is Illinois, which has the most restrictions in the U.S.
According to the WalletHub report, South Dakota has the least restrictions, followed by Wisconsin, Idaho, Missouri, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, North Dakota and Iowa.
Capitol News Illinois: Penalty enhancements for assaults on retail workers will head to governor
Measures addressing aggravated battery of retail workers, disability leave for public employees and unionization of employees in the horse racing industry found their way into a COVID-19-response bill this week at the Capitol.
The aggravated battery language in Senate Bill 471 was a subject of heated debate in the House on Friday, which often turned into a philosophical discussion as to whether “penalty enhancements” were worthy public policy.
Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois House clears Chicago casino measure in waning hours of special session
With major budget bills still pending, the Illinois House on Saturday passed a measure that would change the tax structure to allow for a Chicago casino that legislators hope will pump revenue toward the state’s capital projects and the city’s desperately underfunded police and fire pensions.
The measure cleared 77-32 with some bipartisan support. Eighteen House Republicans voted for the measure. It must still clear the Illinois Senate.
The Center Square: Daycare owners say changes to Pritzker's reopening plan don't go far enough
A group representing more than 800 childcare centers said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to allow daycare programs to reopen sooner was the right move, but more needs to be done to help the struggling industry.
“As we have said repeatedly, our industry is in crisis. Dozens of facilities today are currently hanging on by a thread,” said Sarah Stoliker, president of Illinois Directors and Owners of Childcare Centers. “And while the Governor’s plan today does allow for modest growth in enrollment capacity in our facilities, we fear that it is not enough to prevent many of our member agencies from closure – which will make childcare less accessible throughout the state, and stunt any efforts toward a broader economic recovery.”
Capitol News Illinois: Business owners, public employees argue state owes lost revenue, wages
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive orders shuttering non-essential businesses and workplaces indefinitely is unconstitutional, three business owners and two county officials claim in a lawsuit filed in federal court, because the state has not provided monetary compensation.
Both the U.S. and Illinois constitutions provide that private property cannot be confiscated for public use “without just compensation.” Illinois’ governing document adds that property also cannot be damaged.
Chicago Sun-Times: Crooked ex-Chicago cop gets early prison release due to coronavirus
A federal judge has granted a “compassionate” early prison release to crooked ex-Chicago police Officer Glenn Lewellen due to COVID-19 concerns.
In an order issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Joan Gottschall modified Lewellen’s 18-year sentence to time served for his role in a drug conspiracy, citing the disgraced former cop’s “severe obesity, hypertension, and a heart condition.”