On Thursday, officials are due to certify the results of too-close-to-call runoff races in three Chicago wards. Will a longtime political dynasty lose its council clout? Our politics team digests the top stories of the week.
Stories by Amanda Vinicky
Lawmakers Uneasy About Pritzker’s Pension Plans
Illinois’ long-term pension debt tops $130 billion. What Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to do – and what he won’t do – about that crushing burden.
Chicago Mayor-Elect Lightfoot Meets with Madigan, Pritzker
Chicago’s next mayor won’t be sworn in until May 20, but she’s hitting the ground running. On Wednesday, Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot left the city to meet with top political leaders in Springfield.
Stage is Set for Major Fight Over Illinois Constitution, Tax Policy
The latest on a possible – and major – amendment to the state constitution that would lift a requirement that all income be taxed at a flat rate.
Illinois is Really Close to Legalizing Marijuana … Or Is It?
Gov. J.B. Pritkzer is counting on Illinois to legalize recreational marijuana as part of his proposed spending plan. The latest in the ongoing debate over legalization.
Pritzker Signs Bill Paving Way for Sale of Thompson Center
The James R. Thompson Center has been controversial since it landed in the Loop in 1985. Now, a new layer of controversy has been added to the building’s history: its potential sale.
What Keeps Chicago Mayor-Elect Lightfoot Awake at Night?
“I worry about our children growing up with so much trauma and fear. I worry about that a lot,” Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot said during a one-on-one interview Friday with WTTW News.
CPS Elected School Board Advances in Springfield
To the delight of some advocacy groups and the Chicago Teachers Union, state representatives voted Thursday to move Chicago to an elected school board structure.
Spotlight Politics: Deciphering Lori Lightfoot’s Historic Win
In Tuesday’s runoff, Lori Lightfoot bested Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in each of the city’s 50 wards. Lightfoot calls it a “mandate for change.” Our politics team weighs in.
What Would Sports Betting Look Like in Illinois?
A U.S. Supreme Court decision last year opened the door to state-authorized sports betting, and Illinois is hurrying to take advantage of it.
New Poll Suggests Lightfoot Poised to Clinch Mayor’s Race
Half of Chicagoans believe the city is “on the wrong track,” according to a new WTTW/Crain’s Temkin/Harris poll, which also indicates that Lori Lightfoot will win the April 2 runoff election to become Chicago’s next mayor.
As Marijuana Industry Grows, So Does Its Banking Problems
Illinois’ marijuana industry is growing like a weed, but could banking regulations lead to its collapse? State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says the cash-based business is “now ripe for theft, fraud and tax evasion.”
Mayoral Candidates Preckwinkle, Lightfoot Square off on Aldermanic Prerogative
With corruption scandals roiling Chicago politics, both of the candidates for mayor say cleaning up City Hall is near the top of their agendas. But it’s also where they differ, particularly when it comes to aldermanic prerogative.
Graduated Income Tax Fight Starting Soon
As Gov. J.B. Pritzker moves full steam ahead on a graduated income tax, he says he’s unfazed by warnings that Illinois’ credit could be downgraded.
Spotlight Politics: Chicago Election by the Numbers
Just how did the vote break down Tuesday, and why was turnout so much lower than expected? Our politics team digs into the numbers in this week's political roundtable.
Dark Money at Play as Graduated Income Tax Fight Begins
The fight over Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax is already being influenced by nonprofit groups that are not required to disclose their donors.
Pritkzer’s ‘Austere’ Budget Relies on Pension Plan, New Taxes
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled his first budget proposal Wednesday, calling it an “austere” spending plan meant to serve as a “bridge” to future budgets.
Illinois Minimum Wage to Rise to $15 by 2025
Just a little over a month after becoming Illinois’ governor, J.B. Pritzker signed a law that stands to change the state’s economy by raising the minimum wage from $8.25 to $15 by 2025.
Illinois EPA Shuts Down Suburban Sterigenics Plant
A medical supply sterilization company in suburban Willowbrook was shut down Friday by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency due to elevated cancer risks.
A Window Into Pritzker’s Plans for Illinois
A series of transition reports unveiled last week provides a look at what new Gov. J.B. Pritzker has in store for Illinois, from potential new taxes to the creation of a statewide infrastructure czar.
Pritzker Advances Agenda, But Transition Reports Slow to Emerge
When will Gov. J.B. Pritzker release the reports he says will serve as his guides? And why is it taking so long?
Chicago’s Big-Time Business Club Calls for State Tax Increase
A new report from the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago recommends a 1-percent increase in the state income tax.
Illinois Democrats Poised to Raise Minimum Wage to $15 by 2025
For the first time since taking full control of Illinois government, Democrats in Springfield are poised to flex their political muscles by quickly passing a statewide hike in the minimum wage.
Mayoral Candidates Take a Nuanced Stance on Chicago’s Complex Issues
Five of the 14 candidates running for Chicago mayor participated in a forum Tuesday as the Feb. 26 election draws near. But getting simple answers to complex issues was no small task.
Chicago Mayoral Candidates Square Off at Community Forums
With the election three weeks away, it’s crunch time for Chicago mayoral candidates to get their messages across.
