Politics
Chicago seeks to host 2024 Democratic National Convention
Chicago on Tuesday announced a bid to bring the Democratic National Convention that will choose the party's presidential nominee to the city in 2024.
Politics
The Politics Section of the Chicago Journal.
Illinois News
Pritzker signs state budget and lifts mask mandate for public transit
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed into law a state budget that aims to soften the blow of inflation with $1.8 billion in tax breaks and direct payments to Illinois consumers, an outline Republicans derided as an election-year ploy.
Illinois Politics
$1.8B state tax-break deal reached, with fund-diversion help
The move recalls a darker fiscal period in the early 2000s when feuding Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan cobbled together state spending with “fund sweeps,” taking what appeared to be large unspent balances in special funds to shore up the operating budget.
Illinois Politics
Illinois House votes unanimously to divest from Russia due to war in Ukraine
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (19th District), directs state pension funds to eliminate any investments in Russian-based companies, prepares the state to accept Ukrainian refugees, and sets up a group to study Russian money-laundering in Illinois real estate.
Illinois Politics
Illinois Gubernatorial begins to heat up, Pritzker backed group attacks Irvin ahead of primary
There’s nothing illegal about the ad or the way it was executed, said Kent Redfield of the University of Illinois at Springfield, but Pritzker “putting money into a second group and having that group spend the money on your behalf is something less than maximum transparency.”
Illinois Politics
Illinois Democrats try to sell anti-crime programs before end of session, midterms looming
Illinois Democrats outlined anti-crime measures Friday amid pressure from rising violence and Republican critics, promising more in the final days of the Legislature's spring session.
News
Lombard man abducted in Afghanistan appears in newly posted video
The video was posted Friday by The New Yorker, which says it obtained it from an unidentified individual in Afghanistan. Frerichs appears by himself in the video, sitting upright before a dark curtain and wearing what appears to be traditional Afghan clothing.
Law
Illinois Senate bill to crack down on smash-and-grab thefts has bipartisan support
The bill seeks to lift jurisdictional problems that can prevent prosecution and allow any state's attorney to prosecute all aspects of an organized retail crime.
Illinois Politics
Illinois Dems praise themselves for paying bills, GOP highlights federal money and unemployment shorted
The federal government provided Illinois with $8.1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Nearly two-thirds of the reduced arrears — $2.7 billion — is coronavirus remediation money from Washington.
Chicagoland Politics
Former suburban road commissioner pleads guilty in kickback scheme
Former Bloomingdale Township highway commissioner pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an August 2020 indictment alleging he took over $280,000 in kickbacks for road work that in many cases was never performed.
Illinois Politics
Civic Federation praises parts of Pritzker's budget, criticizes others
Civic Federation leaders say parts of Governor Pritzker's budget proposal mark significant progress in eliminating debt problems but say more is necessary.
Chicago Politics
Former 22nd Ward Alderman gets 13-month sentence after guilty plea
Munoz pleaded guilty in September to wire fraud and money laundering while chairman and treasurer of the Progressive Reform Caucus. He used the money for personal expenses, including a family member’s college tuition, jewelry, clothing, and vacations.