Today we tackle the drama between Springfield and City Hall, the Madigan trial and new settlements paid out by Chicago taxpayers. Left: Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pictured in a July 2023 file photo. (Jerry Nowicki / Capitol News Illinois) Right: Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks outside Roseland Mental Health Center on May 30, 2024. (WTTW News) Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants the state to come through for him in a major way to boost spending on the city’s schools and transportation networks — but Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Johnson and his team “don’t reach out very often, and it seems like they don’t have good relationships in Springfield.” Pritzker said the mayor has his direct number but said, “maybe in the time that he’s been mayor, he’s called me perhaps five times." Pritzker made critical remarks Tuesday about Johnson as well as Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch for their roles in stalling controversial legislation the governor had embraced to crack down on intoxicating hemp, resulting in a rare public defeat for Pritzker. The friction sets a rocky stage as Illinois heads into what’s sure to be months of difficult negotiations over how to close a more than $3 billion budget gap — a deficit that does not include any of the extra spending Johnson is pushing for. Meanwhile in Springfield, a new batch of lawmakers was sworn in Wednesday. Tackling that budget gap will be tough with the added pressures of spending more on education, preventing the Chicago area’s public transit agencies from careening off a fiscal cliff and facing unknown obstacles Democrats expect President-elect Donald Trump to make for states like Illinois upon his return to the White House later this month. Read more Michael Madigan takes the witness stand to testify in his own defense at his landmark corruption trial on Jan. 7, 2024. (Illustration by Cheryl Cook) As Michael Madigan returned to the witness stand for his second day of testimony in his ongoing corruption trial, he told jurors outright that he “would not be involved in a quid pro quo.“ He also claimed he was surprised and concerned when Ald. Danny Solis mentioned to him the possibility of a “quid pro quo” ahead of the longtime House speaker’s meeting with a property developer in 2017. Madigan, who is charged alongside his longtime right-hand man Michael McClain, is alleged to have orchestrated multiple corruption schemes, wielding his political power to reward loyal allies and enrich himself. He and McClain are each charged with racketeering, bribery and wire fraud. They have each pleaded not guilty. His testimony seeks to discredit one of the main points federal prosecutors made in their case against him — that the speaker was seeking to use his public position to benefit his private tax law firm. Read more Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward) on the floor of the Chicago City Council. (WTTW News) Chicago taxpayers will pay $87,500 to resolve a lawsuit that claimed Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward) violated the First Amendment by blocking six critics from his official Facebook page in June 2021. That means the city will cover more than half of the cost of ending the lengthy litigation, even though U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman dismissed the claims against the city brought by a group of residents in October 2021. The city’s decision to nevertheless cover 55% of the settlement cost means Gardiner will pay just $70,000 to resolve claims he violated the free speech rights of Chicagoans. Read more Read more Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW. 5 Arts and Culture Picks From Marc Vitali Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the week’s must-see cultural events. Nothing warms you like music and community. OK, maybe soup and a hot bath but after that, nothing… eh, perhaps a nice cup of tea. The soup, bath and tea can wait because nothing warms the soul like music and community. Turn up the heat. “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” – Auditorium Theatre This beloved annual show spotlights powerhouse performers in a re-imagining of Handel’s masterpiece. With a Hammond B3 organist and stand-out vocalists on stage, you might just shout Hallelujah and say Amen to all that. Jan. 11-12 Nathan Gunn & Friends with JAM Orchestra – Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston The renowned baritone from Indiana has played the Civic Opera House, WTTW Studios and other historic venues. Here, he joins Chicago’s 35-piece JAM Orchestra to sing beloved songs from the Broadway canon. Sat. Jan. 11 “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” with Orchestra – Symphony Center The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs the Oscar-winning score live while the movie plays onscreen. Tan Dun’s music added a memorable soundscape to Ang Lee’s 2000 film about love among warriors. Jan. 10 -11 “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” – The Promontory in Hyde Park Inspiring narratives celebrate how music shapes lives and builds community. This afternoon of storytelling is brought to you by Chicago’s SOL Collective, who aim to amplify voices of women of color. Jan. 11 “Shucked” – CIBC Theatre in the Loop Word is, this is the funniest musical since “Book of Mormon” and not as raunchy. The surprise Broadway hit contains a bushel of corny jokes and a score of country music from a pair of seasoned Nashville songwriters. I’m all ears. Through Jan. 19 Back in the Day: January 9, 2009 - Blagojevich Impeached by Illinois House On this day 16 years ago, the Illinois House overwhelmingly voted to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In December 2008, the embattled and impeccably coiffed politician was arrested on federal corruption charges, which included allegations that he schemed to sell the United States Senate seat formerly held by President-elect Barack Obama. Defiant against the charges, Blagojevich still nominated Roland Burris to the seat, angering his critics. Though the State House needed just 60 votes to impeach, the vote came in at 114-1. No one spoke to defend him and the vote moved the impeachment measure to the Senate. “It’s our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that’s become Illinois government,” said Democratic Rep. Jack D. Franks, according to the Associated Press. Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW. What is your favorite museum in Chicago? Tell us why. Email [email protected] with your responses and your answers might be published. An effort intended to protect victims of domestic violence passes through Springfield. But gun rights advocates are pushing back. 5:30 PM | 10:00 PM Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more. Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
