Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Belleville News-Democrat: New state Rep. Nathan Reitz will be a pivotal vote on the graduated income tax
When the state House of Representatives votes on whether to place a constitutional amendment on the November 2020 ballot that would allow for a change to the state’s income tax system, many eyes will be on the chamber’s newest member.
State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, could be a key vote as Democrats try to garner enough support from the party’s caucus in order to place the proposal to remove the requirement for a flat income tax in the state.
Chicago Sun-Times: Will latest changes make sports betting bill — and casinos — a winning wager?
A war between billionaire casino owner Neil Bluhm and two fantasy sports giants that threatens to halt a sports betting measure saw a temporary cease fire on Friday, as lawmakers digested new language that might soften the blow to the fantasy site operators.
Or maybe not.
WBEZ: Pritzker Calls For ‘Expeditious’ Settlement Of Quincy Legionnaires’ Lawsuits
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called on Friday for “expeditious” legal settlements with the families of Legionnaires’ disease victims who died at a state-run veterans’ home. Pritzker said he has personally relayed that request to the state’s attorney general.
The first-term Democratic governor used his bully pulpit during a visit to the Illinois Veterans Home in downstate Quincy to advocate for the dozen families suing the state over the deaths of their loved ones. In all, 14 people have died in a series of Legionnaires’ outbreaks at the largest state veterans’ home.
Champaign News-Gazette: Pritzker's proposal to increase beer tax has fight brewing
Craft-beer brewers and advocates gathered Friday at the Capitol to oppose a tax increase on beer and cider that Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced to help fund a comprehensive capital infrastructure plan.
Under the proposal, the per-gallon tax on beer and cider would rise to 27.7 cents from the current rate of 23.1 cents, which was established when lawmakers approved the state’s last capital plan in 2009.
WBEZ: Chicago Charter Schools Accept Chicago Public Schools Funding Plan
Chicago charter schools will be receiving millions of dollars that Chicago Public Schools has withheld from them since April. After months of disagreements between the school district and charter school officials over how charter schools should be funded, CPS released its charter schools budgets Friday.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement to provide charter budgets that are equitable and aligned to district-run schools, and we thank our charter partners who have worked in good faith toward a strong resolution that benefits students,” said CPS CEO Janice Jackson.
Chicago Sun-Times: Despite reversals, controversies, associate judges try to keep their seats
Found guilty of attempted murder in a drive-by shooting, Ricky Fountain and Dwayne Hill had good reason to think their convictions would be overturned when they came before Associate Cook County Judge Angela M. Petrone last June.
The victim, Demetrius Harris, had identified Fountain and Hill, recanted, then repeated his allegation. But evidence surfaced that Harris had been coerced to implicate them. And there were other problems, including evidence of an alibi Hill’s lawyer promised in his opening statement but never produced.
Chicago Sun-Times: Cook County’s secret election: Balloting is under way for judges, and you can’t vote
A secret vote is underway to determine which of 138 Cook County judges should keep their jobs.
If you didn’t know about it, that’s no surprise. The only eligible voters for this insiders-only balloting are Cook County circuit judges. It’s up to them to decide who among the current associate judges should stay on the bench, getting new, four-year terms.