Read the latest news from around Illinois.
Crain's Chicago Business: Illinois' beleaguered housing market faces a new threat from Pritzker's progressive tax
And then came a global pandemic.
Chicago Sun-Times: Pritzker OKs indoor dining in Will, Kankakee counties, crediting COVID-19 improvement to ‘neighbors doing right by neighbors’
Indoor service is back on the menu at bars and restaurants across Chicago’s far south suburbs after an improved COVID-19 testing positivity rate prompted Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday to lift restrictions on Will and Kankakee counties.
The eased coronavirus guidelines were set to kick in Friday evening, also allowing gatherings to increase from 25 to 50 people. The Democratic governor called it a “testament to the entire state and to the power of community” as he dished out the good news at an unrelated news conference in Rock Island.
Chicago Sun-Times: Ex-Daley operative Victor Reyes once again in the midst of a big political storm
When Mayor Richard M. Daley held office, one of his most powerful — if least visible — aides was Victor Reyes, Daley’s City Hall patronage chief.
Reyes, who since has gone on to become a powerhouse Chicago lobbyist, still likes to stay out of the spotlight. But that’s getting harder as federal authorities continue to pursue their wide-ranging investigation of political corruption in Chicago and the suburbs, a dragnet that so far has resulted in criminal charges against politicians including Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th) and former state Sen. Martin Sandoval.
Chicago Tribune: Head of Chicago’s civilian police oversight agency offers rare pushback on city government watchdog over video releases
The head of Chicago’s civilian agency that probes police misconduct offered rare pushback against the city’s government watchdog for that office’s report suggesting the agency has not released video or other investigative material in a number of police use-of-force cases within a required 60-day period.
At a public meeting Thursday night, Sydney Roberts, who leads the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, sought to downplay the delays cited by the city inspector general’s office by trying to provide context to what the IG described as COPA’s failure to comply with the city’s video release policy.
Chicago Sun-Times: Alderman lavished with cash, luxury trips by program for Caribbean med students
A Chicago doctor is suing his business partner, accusing her of “looting” more than $3.7 million from their business to finance an “extravagant lifestyle” and to lavish Ald. George Cardenas (12th) with luxurious trips, an expensive watch and a monthly stipend for consulting services.
Cardenas had been hired to drum up business for Omni Medical Student Training, which places students from Caribbean medical schools in residency programs with Chicago hospitals. The alderman wasn’t very successful in getting hospitals to sign up, though, according to the suit.
Crain's Chicago Business: Landlords lament Pritzker's eviction moratorium
It also gives renters who can pay a reason not to. That’s what bothers landlords like Jeff Cunningham, who can’t do anything about it when they don’t.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago Firefighters Union warns of contentious staffing issues ahead
The president of the Chicago Firefighters Union said Friday he and Mayor Lori Lightfoot are “miles apart” from a long-term contract and made the case to maintain staffing levels on fire apparatus even though the city faces a $1.2 billion budget shortfall.
Jim Tracy joined the mayor at Engine 70, 6014 N. Clark St., to sign a contract that gives rank-and-rile firefighters and paramedics a 10% pay raise over four years, all but 2.5% of it retroactive. In exchange, the city gets higher health care contributions, saving $10 million.