Capitol News
‘There’s something fishy here, don’t you think?’: Wiretapped calls detail Madigan confidant’s confoundment over complicated land deal
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – It was the last day of the General Assembly’s spring legislative session in 2018 when veteran Statehouse lobbyist Mike McClain realized his bill wasn’t going anywhere. McClain was officially retired but still took on “assignments” from his longtime friend Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. But one particular project he took…
Illinois American Water will increase water rates
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO — The state’s largest private water utility, Illinois American Water, will increase customer bills in the new year. The move comes after state regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the requested increase on Thursday. The five-member board approved a $110 million increase for the company, a 30% reduction from the…
Jurors see list of Madigan’s job recommendations given to newly elected Gov. Pritzker
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – In the weeks following now-Gov. JB Pritzker’s November 2018 victory over one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan busied himself preparing for a brand new administration after years of conflict with governors of both parties. One of his first priorities was finding jobs for his political…
How RFK Jr.’s health proposals could affect Illinois
Capitol News Illinois Every new presidential administration comes with policy changes, but the incoming second administration of President-elect Donald Trump and his proposed secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., could dramatically reshape the public health landscape. Kennedy, a former political rival of Trump, became a close ally of Trump over the…
‘You won’t spend a day in jail’: Madigan attorney hammers Solis’ agreement with feds
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – The day after Christmas 2018, then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis signed an agreement with federal prosecutors, with whom he’d spent the last 2 ½ years working as a secret cooperating witness in a sprawling corruption investigation. Solis’ undercover work helped bring down two of Illinois’ biggest and longest-serving Democratic powerbrokers. Former…
Pritkzer education policy advisor named to head new Department of Early Childhood
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday appointed Teresa Ramos to be the first permanent secretary of the newly-formed Illinois Department of Early Childhood. “I’m eager to get started working with an incredible team of state employees, parents and families, advocates, and early childhood providers to create something exceptional that will give…
Semi driver involved in fatal crash of deputy had previous unreported DUI conviction, prompting call for federal audit
Capitol News Illinois Four years before police said he caused a crash that killed a DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy, Nathan Sweeney pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and having 44 grams of heroin in his car – an offense that, if properly reported to the secretary of state, should have led to the revocation…
Madigan attorney accuses Solis of not telling feds ‘all the crimes you committed’
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis spent more than 2 ½ years living a double life as an FBI cooperating witness after agents approached him in 2016, asking him to wear a wire on his colleagues or risk being charged for multiple bribes he’d taken while in office. Solis’ extraordinary cooperation…
State Board of Elections certifies election results showing decline in turnout
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Vice President Kamala Harris won Illinois by nearly 11 points as turnout dipped in 2024, according to official election results certified by the State Board of Elections. The board met Monday to certify the results of the 2024 election and released final vote totals for races around the state, including…
Appellate Court finds former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson should be released until trial
Capitol News Illinois Prosecutors will ask the Illinois Supreme Court to review an appellate court ruling that found former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should be released from jail pending trial on charges related to the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey. On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the 4th District Court of Appeals ordered…
Illinois rolls out first phase of plan to modernize professional licensing
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation launched a new online licensing system this fall, the first phase in a plan to modernize the management and licensing process for service providers across the state. The system improvements are part of efforts to make doing business easier and more efficient…
Madigan prosecutors conclude questioning of alderman-turned-FBI mole Danny Solis
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – The day after Thanksgiving in 2018, then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis sat in powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office to tell him what he’d privately known for months: after 23 years in the Chicago City Council, he wasn’t going to run for another term in the February election. Solis thought…
The next school reform push in Illinois: testing and accountability
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Education officials from five statewide organizations are pushing for fundamental changes in the way student achievement is measured each year and how schools are held accountable for meeting the state’s academic standards. In a new report entitled Vision 2030, organizations representing local school boards, superintendents, principals, district business officers, and…
‘You know why I’m interested’: Wiretaps, secretly recorded videos show Madigan recruiting business to his law firm
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – For the second time in the span of seven months, then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan called up Chicago Ald. Danny Solis after reading about a proposed real estate development in the alderman’s ward. “Danny, I think there’s a, a proposed development in – it’s called Peoria Park,” Madigan said in…
State watchdog uncovers at least $7.2M in PPP fraud by state employees
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, the Office of the Executive Inspector General has been investigating allegations that…
State watchdog uncovers at least $7.2M in PPP fraud by state employees
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, the Office of the Executive Inspector General has been investigating allegations that…
State watchdog uncovers at least $7.2M in PPP fraud by state employees
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, the Office of the Executive Inspector General has been investigating allegations that…
‘You shouldn’t be talking like that’: Madigan scolded alderman-turned-FBI mole for bringing up ‘quid pro quo’
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis had already been cooperating with the FBI for a little more than a year in June 2017 when he received an unexpected voicemail from powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. “Danny, it’s Mike Madigan,” began the brief message, which included none of what the speaker wanted…
Conservative group asks U.S. Supreme Court to review Mike Bost’s challenge to how mail-in votes are counted in Illinois
Capitol News Illinois The conservative group Judicial Watch is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case filed by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, challenging Illinois’ law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted 14 days after the election. Under Illinois law, ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted as late as 14 days…
Hemp growers push back against proposed new regulations
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A legislative committee and the Illinois Department of Agriculture agreed recently to delay finalizing new regulations governing hemp production amid an outcry of protests from small, independent producers. Those proposed rules have been in development for at least two years. But the most recent draft, submitted in September, contained significant…
Aqua Illinois customers to see bill increase in the new year
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Following almost a year of legal battles and fierce public opposition from many customers, water utility Aqua Illinois is set to raise its rates in 2025. The privately owned water utility has not released an estimate of the exact impact the increase will have on customer bills in 14 northern…
Ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, who secretly recorded Madigan for FBI, takes witness stand
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – It’s been a month since the jury in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial last heard the name of star government witness Danny Solis during opening statements. The government’s brief explanation that the ex-Chicago alderman agreed to cooperate with the FBI after “abusing his own office” –…
Supreme Court dismisses Jussie Smollett convictions, allows Trump Tower defamation suit to continue
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Criminal convictions of actor Jussie Smollett will be dismissed, and a defamation lawsuit against the Chicago Sun-Times will be allowed to continue, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in a slate of opinions Thursday. The high court ruled disorderly conduct charges against Smollett should be dismissed because if they were allowed…
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…
Local News
Palos Hills Honors Veterans with Heartfelt Memorial Service
With reverence and gratitude, Palos Hills honored its veterans Saturday at a moving memorial service, where community members gathered to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve. Veterans, local officials, and residents filled the Palos Hills Community Center, joining in a collective expression of respect for military service and sacrifice. The…
Retired St. Patricia pastor cleared of sexual abuse allegation
The Archdiocese of Chicago has cleared retired Father William Killeen of allegations of sexual abuse following an investigation. Father Killeen, who served as an associate pastor at St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills from 1982 to 1989, had been accused of abusing a minor over 40 years ago during his time at the parish. The…
LaGrange park district improvements advance with voter support
Voters approved a $13.86 million referendum for the Park District of La Grange on Tuesday, with 74 percent voting in favor. With 10 of 12 precincts reporting, 5,340 yes votes were recorded, compared to 1,898 no votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website. “We’re very excited,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park…
Slain West Lawn CPD Officer Martinez shooting suspect charged
A 23-year-old man has been charged with the shooting death of Officer Enrique Martinez, a Hubbard High School graduate and West Lawn resident, who was killed in the line of duty on Chicago’s South Side. The fatal encounter has reignited citywide concerns over rising gun violence and its toll on both residents and law enforcement.…
Oak Lawn’s Howl-O-Ween Brings Thrills, Chills, and Family Fun
On a crisp October evening, the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge transformed into a magical, spooky wonderland as families gathered for Oak Lawn’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration. Laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves, while costumed children raced from one activity station to the next, collecting treats and creating memories under the twilight sky. The Oak Lawn Park…
Presidential candidate Jill Stein advocates for People Power at Green Party Forum in Orland Park
Nonprofit organizations Al Hub and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) co-hosted a Q&A forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Held at an office building in Orland Park, located at 16101 S. 108th Avenue, the event showcased the Green Party’s focus on community-driven activism, branding itself as a…
Oak Lawn girls volleyball repeats at SSC Red champs
The Oak Lawn Community High School girls volleyball team opened the season steamrolling the competition. In fact, they repeated as champions at the Fenton Bison Blast-off Tournament, and didn’t even lose a single set before heading into their own Spartan Classic in late September. They finished fourth there, but they learned how to react when…
Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead
The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…
Burbank police adopt a 12-hour work schedule
Burbank police will make permanent a trial program that moved them from working eight-hour tours to now working 12-hour shifts. The city approved the work schedule at its Oct. 23 city council meeting. The city confirmed the 12-hour work schedule memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Council of Police. This means that Burbank police officers,…
Bridgeview man faces felony charges in carjacking, armed robbery spree
Two men were charged Thursday with multiple felonies after a series of armed robberies and a carjacking in Chicago, authorities said. James Robinson, 21, of the 100 block of East 119th Street in Chicago, and Damian Macias, 21, of the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, were arrested by the Citywide Vehicular Hijacking…
