Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Limiting golden parachutes in Illinois
In September 2016, trustees at Chicago State University sent away then-President Thomas Calhoun Jr. with a nudge and a fat envelope. Not even nine months on the job, Calhoun stepped down without explanation — but with a $600,000 severance package.
The university was in crisis, both financially and academically. A lack of state funding led to faculty and staff layoffs and program cuts. The university’s accreditation agency issued sanctions. Graduation rates fell to around 11 percent. And the freshmen class dropped to 86 students.
Champaign News-Gazette: Political gamesmanship
Lawmakers have their ways of keepinggerrymandering intact.
CHANGE Illinois, the public interest group backing a proposal to end legislative gerrymandering in this state, sent out a breathless email late last week calling for the General Assembly to take immediate action.
“Today, Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) signed on as the 36th Senate co-sponsor of the Fair Map Amendment (SJRCA26).”
Daily Southtown: 'My fear is we're going to close the doors,' Harvey library director says
Just three years after the Harvey Public Library District issued $6 million in bonds to pay for a facility expansion, the library can no longer keep up with its bills.
A steep decline in property tax revenues combined with substantial debt service on its 2015 bond issue has rapidly wiped out the district’s surplus and necessitated laying off one-third of its staff and significantly reducing operating hours, library director Sandra Flowers said.
Daily Herald: U-46 board approves $4 million land purchase
The Elgin Area School District U-46 school board Monday night authorized spending $4 million to buy more than 10 acres off Chicago Street east of downtown Elgin.
The property, at 1019 E. Chicago St., includes a large parking lot and a 95,521-square-foot building that had housed Sherman Health Resource Center until 2011. Advocate Sherman Hospital sold the property in late 2016 or early 2017.
Daily Herald: Wheeling Park District ceremonially breaks ground on $18.8 million expansion
Wheeling Park District officially broke ground on an $18.8 million expansion of the recreation center Monday during a ceremony.
The project will add 42,000 square feet of space, including another gymnasium and enlarged fitness center, and renovate the existing facility at 333 W. Dundee Road. It will take about 16 months to complete.
Peoria Journal-Star: Washington opts for $1 million loan to help pay for ’223′ property
The city has decided to how it’s going to pay for the 223 acres of vacant land it purchased for $4.965 million in September 2013, with that amount due in September 2020.
The City Council voted unanimously Monday to borrow $1 million from low bidder Busey Bank payable over a 10-year period with 4.35 percent interest.