Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago loses Amazon HQ2
Amazon has chosen, and Chicago has lost out. The retail behemoth will put its so-called second headquarters in New York City and Northern Virginia, sources tell the Wall Street Journal.
But other cities may also get “major sites,” the Journal reports. An announcement is expected as soon as Tuesday.
Chicago Tribune: Uptown Theatre's $75 million restoration will begin next summer
The long-awaited, $75 million restoration of the 93-year-old Uptown Theatre — among the highest profile historic rehabs in the city’s history — will begin next summer, Chicago’s Community Development Commission is to be told Tuesday.
Along with approving the public financing elements of the restoration for partners Jam Productions and Farpoint Development, the commission — its members were appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel — also is expected to approve the sale (for $1) of a 31,000-square-foot, city-owned parking lot at 1030 W. Lawrence Ave. in order to “support theater operations.”
Chicago Tribune: In 'urgent appeal,' advocates call for Gov.-elect Pritzker to bolster CPS special education fixes
Ongoing problems and inadequate services still plague special education in Chicago Public Schools, advocates declared Monday, months after a sweeping state probe prompted an outside monitor to supervise city practices for the vulnerable students.
Advocates said school district promises to fill vacant special education jobs have gone unmet amid a statewide teacher shortage. They cited little progress to identify students harmed by a district special education overhaul — and get those students compensatory services.
Chicago Tribune: City to sue online e-cigarette dealers, says they're selling to underage Chicagoans
Mayor Rahm Emanuel will keep up his campaign against electronic cigarettes with a lawsuit against online retailers he says are illegally selling the products to underage Chicagoans.
The city is planning to file suit Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court against eight companies that sold e-cigarette products to people under age 21 in the past month, the Emanuel administration said. The sales were part of a sting operation launched by the city.
Northwest Herald: Algonquin considers buying pockets of land to revitalize downtown
Algonquin officials are considering the possibility of buying land from a handful of business owners to revitalize the historic downtown corridor and create more parking spaces.
“We’ve been working for a number of years to consolidate all of the individual small parking lots on Harrison Street behind the Main Street businesses to incorporate all of them and to accommodate a much better parking scheme,” Village President John Schmitt said. “We could probably increase the parking back there by at least 50 percent, and the village would then maintain it and plow it and take care of it for the businesses.”
Daily Herald: Geneva teachers won't go on strike Tuesday
Geneva teachers rallied again Monday evening before a school board meeting to demonstrate support as contract talks continue. A large crowd gathered outside the meeting at Geneva Middle School South’s cafeteria.
The Geneva Education Association had asked parents and other members of the community to attend and speak to the board.
Daily Herald: Lake County forest district prepares $18.5 million project list
The Lake County Forest Preserve District is ready with $18.5 million in projects to submit for funding should the new administration in Illinois advance a capital spending plan.
The dozen projects range from a crucial link on the Millennium Trail to exterior siding for the historic Adlai E. Stevenson home. They’re not prioritized, but all but one previously has been identified and reviewed by various committees.
Peoria Journal-Star: Washington high school superintendent says sales tax could be back on ballot
Tazewell County voters could be deciding again April 2 if a school facilities sales tax will be added to taxable purchases in the county.
“Superintendents in the county would like to see school boards approve placing the sales tax on the ballot in April. The vote last week was close,” said Kyle Freeman, superintendent for Washington Community High School, at a high school school board meeting Monday.
State Journal-Register: After election, Capital Township and Sangamon Co. look at next steps for merger
With Capital Township voters approving an advisory referendum last week to dissolve the township and hand over its responsibilities to Sangamon County, what will happen next is still up in the air.
Township officials will discuss the next steps at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, according to one trustee.