Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Fiscal Times: Four States That Will Founder When the Next Recession Hits
While the U.S. is enjoying stock market highs and steady GDP growth, the current economic expansion — which is currently in year 10 — can’t last forever. Many economists predict the next recession could come as soon as 2020.
That’s bad news for some states that still don’t have their fiscal house in order. Though it is hard to predict which sectors will be first affected by the next downturn, some states will inevitably face far bleaker prospects than others.
Which states?
New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut and California, for starters.
State Journal-Register: Why Illinois needs to get ahead of the next recession
Although the nation has enjoyed record stock market and steady GDP growth for 10 years running, the current economic expansion can’t last forever. Many economists predict the next recession could come as soon as 2020. That’s bad news for Illinois, which still does not have its fiscal house in order 10 years after the height of the recession, despite one of the longest economic expansions in history.
The Great Recession was painful. Nearly 9 million Americans lost their jobs. Even more lost their homes. While Illinois’ housing market still hasn’t fully recovered, if Illinois doesn’t take steps to get its act together soon, residents here will feel that kind of pain again — or worse.
Chicago Tribune: UIS/NPR Illinois poll — state going in wrong direction
A new poll from the University of Illinois at Springfield and NPR Illinois finds a potentially worrisome trend for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in his bid for re-election.
The survey found nearly 3 of 4 Illinois voters think the state is on the wrong track, while only 14 percent say it’s headed in the right direction and 11 percent had no opinion.
Chicago Tribune: An electric Tri-State? Illinois Tollway looks at embedding charging equipment in parts of I-294
The Illinois Tollway is examining the possibility of embedding equipment into I-294 that would charge electric vehicles as they drive along the road.
The agency is at the start of a $4 billion project to rebuild and widen a 22-mile stretch of I-294, also known as the Tri-State. As part of the project, the Tollway wants to add infrastructure to charge electric vehicles.
Chicago Tribune: County Board approves $31M election equipment contract despite lawsuit; $11M to settle 2 malpractice lawsuits
Cook County commissioners on Wednesday approved a nearly $31 million 10-year contract for election equipment despite a lawsuit filed over the bidding process.
The county board also approved settlements in two medical malpractice lawsuits for nearly $11 million combined, making them two of the largest in Stroger Hospital’s recent history.
Naperville Sun: Naperville won't explain why it gave retiring water director $30,000 severance
The director of Naperville’s Water and Wastewater utility was granted a $30,000 severance payment upon his retirement last month but the city has declined to say why.
A copy of a letter obtained by the Naperville Sun from the City of Naperville to Jim Holzapfel states his last day as a city employee was Aug. 17.
Chicago Sun-Times: Rahm’s final budget shortfall roughly $200 million — more than double forecast
Before Mayor Rahm Emanuel chose political retirement over the uphill battle for a third term, his annual financial analysis forecast a $97.9 million shortfall for 2019, the city’s smallest since 2008.
Now that Emanuel is a lame duck, City Hall is filling in the blanks in a way likely to double the size of the gap in what will be his eighth and final city budget.
Daily Herald: Hawthorn District 73 keeping message to voters on tax requests simple
With taxpayer decisions nearing on requests for tens of millions of dollars, Hawthorn Elementary District 73 is trying to keep its message as clear and simple as possible.
The Vernon Hills-based district by law can’t advocate for its requests in the two Nov. 6 referendums. But it can educate, and the district has changed its methods from April 2017, when its last tax hike request was thumped at the polls.
Bloomington Pantagraph: District 87 OKs budget with $2.6M deficit, wary of future
Bloomington District 87 officials say the trend of budget deficits is manageable for now, but changes in spending and/or revenue may have to be made in a few years if circumstances don’t change.
The school board on Wednesday approved a 2018-19 budget that was adjusted slightly from the tentative plan adopted in August, but it still calls for a deficit of about $2.6 million in its operating funds.