Illinois budget: $1.8 billion tax-break deal reached, with fund-diversion help
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and leaders of the Illinois House and Senate on Thursday announced agreement on a state spending plan that aims to fight nagging, near-record inflation by giving $1.8 billion back to taxpayers.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and leaders of the Illinois House and Senate on Thursday announced agreement on a state spending plan that aims to fight nagging, near-record inflation by giving $1.8 billion back to taxpayers.
Illinois lawmakers draw closer to finalizing election-year state budget
Just days before the end of the legislative session, Illinois House Democrats on Wednesday outlined their own package of nearly $1.4 billion in tax cuts as party leaders in Springfield inch closer to hammering out the state’s election-year budget.
Just days before the end of the legislative session, Illinois House Democrats on Wednesday outlined their own package of nearly $1.4 billion in tax cuts as party leaders in Springfield inch closer to hammering out the state’s election-year budget.
Former Madigan chief of staff asks judge to toss parts of his perjury indictment
The former longtime chief of staff to then-House Speaker Michael Madigan wants a judge to toss part of his perjury indictment, arguing that key questions he fielded in front of a federal grand jury were ambiguous and that some of his allegedly false answers were "literally true."
The former longtime chief of staff to then-House Speaker Michael Madigan wants a judge to toss part of his perjury indictment, arguing that key questions he fielded in front of a federal grand jury were ambiguous and that some of his allegedly false answers were "literally true."
About 455 ghost guns recovered by Chicago police, aldermen urge lawmakers to make them illegal
Last year, the Chicago Police Department recovered approximately 455 ghost guns — which is two times more than New York City.
Last year, the Chicago Police Department recovered approximately 455 ghost guns — which is two times more than New York City.
Illinois Democrats push new bill with incentives to keep police on the job
Moderate Democrats in Springfield are pushing a new bill to keep more police officers on the job, but Republicans aren't buying it.
Moderate Democrats in Springfield are pushing a new bill to keep more police officers on the job, but Republicans aren't buying it.
Illinois Democrats want to use state budget surplus to send $100 checks to Illinois residents
Under the plan, the state would send relief checks of $100 per person and $50 child to Illinois taxpayers who make up to $250,000 individually or $500,000 jointly. Lawmakers said the checks would be delivered in late summer or early fall of this year.
Under the plan, the state would send relief checks of $100 per person and $50 child to Illinois taxpayers who make up to $250,000 individually or $500,000 jointly. Lawmakers said the checks would be delivered in late summer or early fall of this year.
Law heading for governor's desk would require life-saving equipment along Lake Michigan
"This past summer was the last straw. We had another drowning. This young man was six feet from the pier. If we'd had a life ring, he'd be alive today," State Rep Kelly Cassidy, the House sponsor of the bill, said.
"This past summer was the last straw. We had another drowning. This young man was six feet from the pier. If we'd had a life ring, he'd be alive today," State Rep Kelly Cassidy, the House sponsor of the bill, said.
Lightfoot on potential bid for 2024 Democratic National Convention: 'Chicago is the right choice'
Illinois Democrats are weighing a potential bid for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Illinois Democrats are weighing a potential bid for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Illinois bill would require condo boards to give unit owners access to building records more quickly
A state senator who represents part of Chicago's North Lakefront wants to improve access to building maintenance records for condo owners.
A state senator who represents part of Chicago's North Lakefront wants to improve access to building maintenance records for condo owners.
Chicago 911 dispatcher slams Mayor Lightfoot for reportedly using extra police protection: 'It's crazy'
"Now she feels what every other citizen within the north side, the west side, south side and downtown is feeling… since she's been in office that hey, crime is here," Thornton said. "Now she has her own secret little patrol on top of her regular detail patrolling her house."
"Now she feels what every other citizen within the north side, the west side, south side and downtown is feeling… since she's been in office that hey, crime is here," Thornton said. "Now she has her own secret little patrol on top of her regular detail patrolling her house."
Illinois proposal would create agency to combat organized retail theft gangs
Illinois is one of only three states that do very little to help local police and prosecutors combat organized retail theft.
Illinois is one of only three states that do very little to help local police and prosecutors combat organized retail theft.
From crime to QAnon — Pritzker and GOP follow national political scripts after parole board drama
A day after losing his battle to keep two of his appointees on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday delivered an impassioned defense of the “incredibly thankless job” they do and a blistering attack on their Republican critics — comparing them to QAnon conspiracy theorists.
A day after losing his battle to keep two of his appointees on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday delivered an impassioned defense of the “incredibly thankless job” they do and a blistering attack on their Republican critics — comparing them to QAnon conspiracy theorists.
Two Pritzker appointees to state parole board ousted amid GOP complaints about 'troubling message'
Delivering a sharp rebuke to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the state Senate on Monday rejected one of his nominees to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, a longtime consultant who is also a godmother to former President Barack Obama’s daughters.
Delivering a sharp rebuke to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the state Senate on Monday rejected one of his nominees to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, a longtime consultant who is also a godmother to former President Barack Obama’s daughters.
'Ghost gun' legislation: Illinois bill would crack down on the untraceable weapons
Ghost guns can be purchased online and come in a kit. They can be assembled in just 15 minutes and don't even have a serial number.
Ghost guns can be purchased online and come in a kit. They can be assembled in just 15 minutes and don't even have a serial number.
Sen. Dick Durbin accuses GOP of political posturing during SCOTUS hearings
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has accused some of his Republican colleagues of political posturing during confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has accused some of his Republican colleagues of political posturing during confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Pritzker, Stratton endorse Illinois Congressman Danny Davis for reelection
Congressman Danny Davis has earned two more high-profile endorsements.
Congressman Danny Davis has earned two more high-profile endorsements.
Lightfoot to waive 3-cents-a-gallon gas tax hike temporarily to ease pain at pump
'POLITICAL STUNT'? Mayor Lightfoot will roll back her 3-cents-a-gallon gas tax increase temporarily to provide relief for motorists squeezed by skyrocketing gas prices, however, an influential alderperson warned the temporary break would be viewed as a “political stunt.”
'POLITICAL STUNT'? Mayor Lightfoot will roll back her 3-cents-a-gallon gas tax increase temporarily to provide relief for motorists squeezed by skyrocketing gas prices, however, an influential alderperson warned the temporary break would be viewed as a “political stunt.”
Illinois lawmakers introduce legislation to combat fentanyl epidemic
Fentanyl overdoses and deaths continue to surge nationwide, including in Illinois.
Fentanyl overdoses and deaths continue to surge nationwide, including in Illinois.
Time will tell if billionaire Ken Griffin will be 'all in' for the rest of the so-called 'Griffin Slate'
Ken Griffin, who donated $20 million to Richard Irvin’s campaign for governor over a month ago, hasn’t given a dime to the other members of the "Griffin Slate," according to Illinois State Board of Elections records.
Ken Griffin, who donated $20 million to Richard Irvin’s campaign for governor over a month ago, hasn’t given a dime to the other members of the "Griffin Slate," according to Illinois State Board of Elections records.
'Monster of Moscow': Illinois lawmakers say Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a war crime
"He is a standup president of Ukraine who is confronting the monster of Moscow," said Sen. Dick Durbin. "Last night unanimously, the Senate decided, as they should, that the conduct of Vladimir Putin is nothing short of a war crime."
"He is a standup president of Ukraine who is confronting the monster of Moscow," said Sen. Dick Durbin. "Last night unanimously, the Senate decided, as they should, that the conduct of Vladimir Putin is nothing short of a war crime."