Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces reopening rules for businesses as Illinois is poised to move to next phase and loosen restrictions
With all four regions of the state as defined under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s phased-in reopening plan slated to advance to the next stage Friday, the state rolled out detailed guidance Sunday for what precautions restaurants and bars need to have in place to be able to serve customers outdoors, how manufacturers and some offices can resume operations with restrictions and how barbers can offer those badly needed haircuts.
The industry-specific guidance the state released Sunday for the sectors of the state’s economy that will see loosened restrictions in the third phase of the governor’s plan provides a glimpse at a gradual return to normalcy after more than two months under a stay-at-home order meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Belleville News-Democrat: Judge won’t reconsider lawsuit brought by Madigan opponent
A federal judge won’t reconsider his decision to throw out a lawsuit alleging Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan conspired to put up sham candidates in a 2016 Democratic primary.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly denied a motion Saturday to reconsider an August decision on a lawsuit brought by Jason Gonzales, according to The Chicago Tribune. Gonzales, who lost to Madigan by a wide margin, alleged the speaker’s political organization stacked the ballot with phony candidates with Hispanic-sounding names to confuse voters.
The Center Square: 'Toxic' Illinois budget relies on federal bailout that might not come
Despite a pandemic causing billions of dollars of lost tax revenue because of government imposed shutdowns of sectors of the economy, and a reliance on a federal bailout, Illinois state lawmakers passed a budget onto the governor that seeks to spend $40 billion in state funds.
The budget lawmakers passed during a pandemic special session borrows billions to spend about the same as it did in the current year.
State Journal-Register: Notable bills passed on last day of abbreviated legislative session
Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, jokingly asked the bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, if Pritzker was still in town so he could sign the bill immediately.
Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, told Zalewski that the measure should be implemented permanently. Zalewski agreed, but said that will be considered after examining how it works out.
The Center Square: Despite challenges in courts, Pritzker expects to issue more rules, possible extended orders
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is putting more weight behind advice he’s getting from medical statisticians than he is in the civil process to check his authority that many say is limiting people’s rights.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Friday sided with state Rep. Darren Bailey in his case against the governor’s stay-at-home orders that are more than two months old. Pritzker successfully moved the case Bailey filed in Clay County Circuit Court to a federal court. The DOJ said Bialey’s case should be heard in Illinois courts and there’s a strong case the governor exceeded his authority.
State Journal-Register: Lawmakers approve budget, adjourn session
Illinois lawmakers approved a new state budget Saturday as the legislature wrapped up a whirlwind four-day session that resulted from the coronavirus pandemic.
Beyond the budget, lawmakers approved other legislation aimed at providing relief during the pandemic, including a bill that allows bars and restaurant to sell cocktails to go.
Journal Star: Putnam County will send corrected tax bills
An error in the calculation of a school district tax levy will result in amended real estate tax bills being mailed soon to all Putnam County property-owners except those in Senachwine Township.
“During the levy process, there was a miscommunication between the Putnam County School District and the County Clerk’s office,” and that led to an over-charge on the initial tax bills mailed on May 13, according to County Clerk Dan Kuhn.