The Illinois law at the heart of the Commonwealth Edison bribery plot was a “profit machine” for the utility, according to a report released Tuesday by the Illinois Public Interest Research Group.
Stories by amanda vinicky
Study Finds Rise in US Deaths Beyond COVID-19 in 2020
Upwards of 267,000 people have so far died in the U.S. from the novel coronavirus, and experts have fatalistic predictions about more infections throughout the winter. But it’s not just the coronavirus that’s killing people.
Rural Hospitals Facing Unique Challenges as COVID-19 Surges
According to the latest data from state health officials, the city of Chicago has 921 intensive care unit beds, and more than 200 are currently available. But in some regions, the numbers are much different.
How Hospitals Are Coping With a Surge in COVID-19 Cases
The growing number of coronavirus infections has some area hospitals on edge. We visit the Illinois Medical District to see how hospitals are coping with the surge — and how they’re prepping for more cases.
New Indictments Breed New Madigan Defections
As of Thursday evening, 16 Democrats elected to be part of the Illinois House next year have publicly said they will not support Michael Madigan for what would be a historic 19th term in the powerful position.
Indictments Hit Speaker Madigan’s Inner Circle, Former ComEd CEO
A close confidant of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Commonwealth Edison’s first female CEO are among those indicted Wednesday in connection with a bribery scheme.
Voting Begins for CPS Local School Councils
Chicago Public School Local School Council members are up for election this week. What are LSCs and what power do they have?
For Some Restaurants, It’s Cheaper to Close Than to Remain Open
It’s been a solid eight months since government leaders in Chicago and Illinois began asking residents to limit their activities due to the coronavirus. A new round of that took effect in the city on Monday.
Containing COVID-19: Jails, Prisons Ripe for Spread
Cook County Jail was once the hot spot for the coronavirus, but now the positivity rate is lower there than in Chicago and Cook County. As COVID-19 surges in the community, officials and advocates worry it will reach detainees.
Legislative Lurch: Illinois Lawmakers Won’t Meet Again in 2020
The Illinois legislature is not coming back this year. What does that mean for the Black Lives Matter movement and the state budget?
State Supreme Court Justice Kilbride Booted From the Bench
The makeup of the Illinois Supreme Court is changing, and it comes at a pivotal time. What the evolving bench means for residents.
What Does the Future Hold for House Speaker Madigan?
It hasn’t even been a week since the election, but Illinois politicians are looking ahead to another race: the election of the next speaker of the Illinois House.
14th District Congressional Race Still Too Close to Call
Oberweis Claims Victory; Underwood Confident She’ll Win
Republican Jim Oberweis believes there aren’t enough ballots outstanding that would allow incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood to overtake his slim lead in Illinois' 14th Congressional district.
Illinois Voters Reject ‘Fair Tax’ Amendment
In a blow to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and to his hopes of injecting billions of dollars more revenue into the state budget, Illinois voters on Tuesday rejected a constitutional amendment to overhaul how the state taxes income.
Voting at Cook County Jail Sees 40% Turnout for General Election
There is little that’s normal about the 2020 election, including the fact that this is the first election cycle in which detainees can cast ballots at Cook County Jail.
What is the Future of Abortion Rights in Illinois?
Newly confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett recently dodged questions about how she’d weigh cases dealing with abortion. Advocates on both sides view her leanings as a primary reason she was picked for the nation’s high court.
Illinois Towns Ask Pritzker: Where’s Our Money?
Towns and cities can’t access COVID-19 relief funding allocated to them by the federal government because the state is holding onto it instead, the Illinois Municipal League said Wednesday as it called on Pritzker’s administration to release the money.
COVID-19 Has Dealt a Blow to Government Budgets. What That Means for Illinois
How to educate students during a pandemic is far from the only issue elected officials — and Illinois residents — have to grapple with. And it seems unlikely the federal government will agree to another stimulus package before the election.
Illinois Supreme Court Battle Intensifies Ahead of Nov. 3 Election
Critics of Thomas Kilbride are making the most of their once-in-a-decade chance to toss a sitting Illinois Supreme Court justice.
Illinois Made It Easier to Vote, But Obstacles Remain
The election is just weeks away and early voting is in full swing. How ready are voters and election authorities?
Expanded Early Voting Kicks Off in Chicago
What you need to know about mail-in voting and voting in person as Nov. 3 — Election Day — approaches.
Good Government Groups Scold Legislators for Putting Ethics on the Back Burner
It’s been more than six months since a state commission was supposed to issue a report on proposed ethics reforms and nearly a year since the bipartisan commission was first formed.
Local Community Leaders on Vice Presidential Policy Promises
Health care, the environment and the economy were among the issues that got top billing Wednesday when the running mates of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden faced off at their sole debate.
Meet the Democrat Making a Run Against Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan
Michael Madigan has had a virtual lock on his position as the leader of the Illinois House, serving as speaker for all but two years since 1983. Could his job now be in jeopardy?
Retirees at Center of Lawsuit, Questions Over Graduated Tax
In November, Illinois voters will be making a choice about how the state taxes income. But a last-minute lawsuit claims the ballot itself is flawed and is raising questions about how it may impact retirees.
The 2020 Census: What’s At Stake
Organizers in Illinois are making a major, last-minute push for census participation. What you need to know before the count wraps up.
