Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: More Democrats say they won’t support Speaker Madigan for another term
The number of Democrats in the Illinois House or vying for a seat in the House who don’t support House Speaker Michael Madigan continues to grow.
Madigan, D-Chicago, was implicated in a nearly decade-long bribery scheme ComEd admitted to. The utility said it paid $1.3 million in bribes through do-nothing jobs and contracts to Madigan associates to influence the speaker.
State Journal-Register: What you need to know about mail-in ballot deadlines, early and Election Day voting, same-day registration
Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray Monday said that despite a surge of ballots already being received for the Nov. 3 election, he’s urging people to get mail-in ballots they requested filled out and returned early.
“If you don’t use it sooner (rather) than later, it’s gets a lot more challenging,” Gray said. “We’re trying to avoid that confusion and complication.”
Better Government Association: Amazon’s Massive Chicago-Area Expansion Fueled by $741 Million From Taxpayers
The people behind Project Condor came to University Park village trustees early this year with an intriguing proposal — and an ultimatum.
The Condor pitchman, developer Mark Goode, promised a new, $150 million warehouse that would bring 800 jobs to the cash-strapped, predominantly African American suburb 20 miles south of Chicago.
Chicago Tribune: Lightfoot administration defends proposed Chicago property tax hike plan for 2021
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s budget team began its City Council defense of her tax-heavy 2021 spending plan on Monday, telling skeptical aldermen a $94 million property tax hike is an appropriate way to help balance the city’s books.
With lots of Chicagoans out of work and struggling during the pandemic, council members kicked off the two weeks of hearings on Lightfoot’s $12.8 billion budget package by wondering why the mayor didn’t propose using more of the city’s reserves or other sources of revenue rather than hitting up homeowners to the tune of $56 in extra property taxes for a house valued at $250,000.
Chicago Sun-Times: Pandemic plunge: 52% decline in Chicago parking tickets, 42% drop in booting
The stay-at-home shutdown and prolonged economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic had such a chilling effect on driving for business and pleasure, auto insurance giants doled out rebates.
Now the impact is being profoundly felt on two of the city’s biggest revenue generators — booting and ticketing — just when Mayor Lori Lightfoot is counting on raising an additional $68 million in 2021 from what she calls “enhanced enforcement initiatives.”
Chicago Tribune: Cook County to give direct payments to suburban residents hurt by COVID-19 pandemic: ‘What they need is cash’
Suburban Cook County residents who faced financial hardships during the coronavirus pandemic are eligible for a one-time cash payment of $600, officials announced Monday.
Using about $2.1 million in federal coronavirus relief, the resident cash assistance program will accept applications until Nov. 6 and serve about 3,000 people, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said at a news conference. The $600 will be transferred directly to selected applicants.