News

Ex-alderman-turned-FBI mole finally takes the stand in Madigan trial — what you need to know

When Danny Solis finally stepped into the well of a federal courtroom Thursday, he made a sharp turn toward the jury box and then another toward the witness stand that had been waiting for him for more than eight years.

The path he chose kept him as far as possible from a man on the other side of the courtroom, former Illinois House Speaker Michael J.

What’s next for Rahm Emanuel? DNC chair? Or replacing Pritzker or Durbin if they don’t run

WASHINGTON – He’s not done.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is in the mix for Democratic National Committee chair and, if there are vacancies, governor and senator. He told the Sun-Times he is weighing his options about the next “best way to serve.”

Emanuel told me in a text, “First come home second talk and listen to folks at home about best way to serve and build what we care about.”

Springfield phone tax flap risks blowing a new $40M hole in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget

Chicago’s budget gap could grow even bigger thanks to a tax flap in Springfield that is expected to set the city back another $40 million in revenue next year.

Following an amendment this week on the prepaid cellphone tax during the Illinois General Assembly’s veto session, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget headache seems likely to worsen as he tries to get the City Council to agree to a proposal to balance the 2025 spending package, several aldermen told the Tribune.

Ex-Ald. Daniel Solis, who turned FBI mole, takes witness stand in Madigan corruption trial

Nearly eight and a half years after being confronted by federal authorities about his own wrongdoing, former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis has taken the witness stand Thursday in the corruption trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan to testify about his unprecedented turn as an FBI mole.

Solis is the 34th prosecution witness — and arguably the most important — to be called in Madigan’s trial, which began Oct.

Eye On Illinois: Long-awaited BIPA tweaks being reflected in judicial rulings – Shaw Local

Back in the waning days of the 20th century, while serving on the high school newspaper staff, our adviser Mrs. Schneider taught me a lesson I’ve not forgotten.

Faced with negative feedback from a column, I insisted the audience had missed my point. But readers’ lack of understanding, she explained, was evidence not of poor comprehension but proof the writer didn’t effectively communicate the message.

Bill to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers clears General Assembly

Capitol News Illinois

A long-awaited bill to stop Illinois organizations from paying subminimum wage to workers with disabilities will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk after being approved by the Senate on Thursday.

The Senate took a bipartisan 43-11 vote to pass the legislation that supporters dub the “Dignity in Pay Act.”

“It is time to treat people with developmental disabilities the same and have them be paid what they’re worth, which is what we pay everybody else,” bill sponsor Sen.

Op-Ed: Occupational licensing reform can empower Illinoisans

Illinois is in trouble. For years, our state has been saddled with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation – currently sitting at 5.3% or the second worst in the nation. While joblessness affects everyone, it disproportionately harms minorities and the poor – those who need opportunities the most.

Rather than improving this, the state has made it worse.

Illinois eliminates subminimum wage for disabled workers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Disabled Americans living in Illinois will be allowed to earn a minimum wage, thanks to the passage of a new bill in the statehouse.

The Dignity in Pay Act was passed on Thursday and eliminated Illinois’ 14(c) certificate program, which allowed employers to pay people with disabilities a subminimum wage.

"The Dignity in Pay Act is an unprecedented, crucial leap forward to a future where all individuals, regardless of ability, can maximize their talents and contributions to our workforce—and earn a fair wage," said Gov.

IL legislators adjourn veto session as some warn about ‘risky lame duck’

(The Center Square) – Illinois legislators are done for the year, but they’ll be back in early January before the new General Assembly is seated. Republicans are issuing warnings.

There were no vetoes to override during veto session the past two weeks. That didn’t prevent legislators from passing several bills that were gutted and replaced with other measures.

Greg Hinz: Johnson’s weakness is spurring an early start to the next mayoral sweepstakes

The race to become Chicago’s next mayor is off to a real if unofficial start. Here’s who’s mulling a challenge — and who’s being courted to give it a try.

Originally published on this site

HGOPs whacked for opposing lame duck session

HGOPs whacked for opposing lame duck session

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 – Posted by Rich Miller

* House Speaker Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon have both told their chambers to be prepared to return January 2-7 for a lame duck session. As you will recall, Gov. Pritzker and the two Democratic legislative leaders have talked about “Trump-proofing” the state, starting in lame duck session.

Newly-Elected Murri Briel Discusses Her Plans as New State Rep in Springfield

It took two weeks, but Democrat Murri Briel has been declared the winner of the 76th District State Representative race.

Briel currently serves as State Representative Lance Yedncok’s aide and chief of staff. She appeared on Rod Thorson’s morning show Thursday.

One topic was Briel’s view of the future of education in a district that not only includes Northern Illinois University, but also a number of community colleges.

Defamation suit can proceed against Sun-Times over Trump Tower stories, Illinois Supreme Court rules

Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, pictured in 2019.
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a defamation lawsuit linked to Chicago Sun-Times coverage of a Trump Tower property tax appeal should proceed against the newspaper because it didn’t prove that a former state official it reported on had filed his civil complaint in order “to silence citizen participation.”</p><p>In a 6-0 decision with one justice taking no part, the state’s top court ruled the suit filed by ex-Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board executive director Mauro Glorioso wasn’t lodged against the Sun-Times “solely based on defendant’s exercise of political rights.”</p><p>Glorioso

Making sense of the state house, Mawa Iqbal shares what it’s like in the fast-paced environment of the Illinois State Capitol

Mawa Iqbal is the state house reporter for WBEZ and Illinois Public Radio. She spoke to Community Voices about what it’s like as a reporter in the Illinois State Capitol, the challenges of reporting on social justice and the importance of media literacy.

Originally published on this site

Actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction overturned in hate crime hoax case, Illinois Supreme Court rules

Jussie Smollett leaves court after charges were dropped in 2019. He was re-indicted a year later on charges of staging a hate crime attack, and the state Supreme Court on Thursday XXXX his 2022 guilty verdict
<p>In a blockbuster ruling Thursday, the state Supreme Court overturned the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett for an alleged 2019 hoax hate crime, a move that will spare the former “Empire” star a five-month jail sentence, if not clear his name.</p><p>Smollett had challenged nearly every aspect of his case, arguing that he should have been done with the case after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office struck a deal to drop the charges, that the special prosecutor who re-investigated the case and re-indicted him a year later was wrongfully appointed.</p><p>Smollett

Chicago weighs quantum leap

Originally published on this site

Seek proposals for easier school sports transfers

Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Maybe it should be easier to transfer high schools if you are an athlete.

That’s certainly what Chicago parent Khalilah Johnson thinks, based on her daughter’s experience.

“After her freshman your, she transferred from a Catholic school to a public school in the city of Chicago,” Johnson told a House education committee Wednesday.

State Senate Approves Bill Expanding Chronic Pain Treatment

(Springfield, IL) — Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would expand treatment for chronic pain sufferers. The state Senate passed a measure that would allow physicians to make prescriptions for controlled substances without strict limitations based on dosage amounts. The state currently has policies that restrict doctors from prescribing opioids. The bill now returns to the House.

Illinois Senate committee passes bill eliminating subminimum wage for workers with disabilities

SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – Illinois is one step closer to requiring workers with intellection and developmental disabilities be paid the full minimum wage.

The state Senate Executive Committee passed the Dignity in Pay Act Wednesday by a 9-3 margin with bipartisan support. It now heads to the Senate floor.

“Old-fashioned stereotypes about the limit and worth of disabled lives must change,” said Ryan Croke from the Pritzker administration.

‘A danger to the people of Illinois’: Calls mount for lawmaker to step down

Originally published on this site