Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Republican leader wants sexual harassment hotline in wake of Capitol scandal
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin plans to introduce legislation to create a hotline where callers can report sexual harassment.
The toll-free number would be run by the Illinois Department of Human Rights and would help connect people to counseling services and advice on filing complaints with the proper authorities. It will be open to state employees, as well as residents who work in the private sector.
Chicago Sun-Times: Sex-harassment bill puts Illinois leaders on the defensive
House Speaker Michael Madigan’s legislation requiring sexual-harassment awareness training for virtually everyone working in the Capitol appeared proactive, an effort to get out in front of a roiling national issue that enveloped Illinois days earlier with the circulation of an open letter demanding an end to a troubling Springfield culture.
But the Chicago Democrat’s proposal 10 days ago unveiled other problems, shortcomings and criticisms that put lawmakers on the defensive. There was the years long vacancy in the office assigned to investigate the complaints that lawmakers had to rush to fill. Then came allegations of sexual harassment against a powerful state senator, which led to repercussions only after the accuser went public. Finally, sexual harassment isn’t mentioned in the ethics code.
Chicago Tribune: As buses slow and ridership sinks, advocates look for ways to lure commuters back
Bus ridership in Chicago and throughout the country has been sinking. How do you get more people to ditch road-clogging cars and get back on the bus?
How about more bus-only lanes, so buses don’t get stuck in traffic and crawl along like snails on a road paved with peanut butter? Or boarding at all doors, so there isn’t a blocklong line at the stop by the “L” station? Or more funding for better service?
Northwest Herald: Prairie Grove School District 46 Board, support staff union reach tentative agreement
It appears tensions have smoothed over in Prairie Grove School District 46.
Superintendent John Bute sent an update to parents and community members Thursday regarding contract negotiations between the Prairie Grove Education Support Personnel union and the District 46 school board.
Northwest Herald: Lake in the Hills Village Board to discuss tax levy Tuesday
The Village Board will meet Tuesday to discuss keeping Lake in the Hills’ property tax levy flat for the eighth consecutive year.
The board will meet at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, to discuss a plan for a $5.4 million levy.
Daily Herald: Appellate court to decide fate of Breuder's $2 million COD lawsuit
In 2015, three new College of DuPage trustees and the board chairwoman who helped them get elected were determined to fulfill a campaign pledge: to fire embattled school President Robert Breuder without giving him a controversial $763,000 buyout.
To do that, Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton and trustees Deanne Mazzochi, Charles Bernstein and Frank Napolitano declared Breuder didn’t have a valid employment contract. They cited a state law dating to the 1890s to support the claim.