Stories by Hannah Meisel — Capitol News Illinois

Solis’ undercover work helped bring down two of Illinois’ biggest and longest-serving Democratic powerbrokers. Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke is now serving a two-year prison sentence after his bribery, racketeering and extortion convictions last December, while the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is in its seventh week of testimony. 

Some counties are considering whether to call it quits with Illinois. Alderpeople are demanding reforms to the city’s do-not-hire list. And how new research about sucker fish can help guide conservation efforts.

Community volunteers helped Shedd Aquarium researcher Karen Murchie discover an important trigger of sucker fish migration and along the way they've become vital advocates for freshwater animals.

Solis’ extraordinary cooperation deal will see the single bribery charge that was eventually pressed against him in 2022 dropped so long as prosecutors are satisfied with the truthfulness of his testimony in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

A newly announced program at Cook County Health will connect pregnant patients with doulas in an effort to address high rates of maternal mortality and birth complications that disproportionately affect Black women.

Pritzker announced plans in 2023 to establish a new agency that would consolidate under one roof a host of state programs currently scattered across several other agencies that serve the needs of families with infants and toddlers. Those include oversight and funding of preschools, childcare centers, home visiting and early intervention programs.

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

Chuck Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership elections, in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. 

“Temp workers are injured at a much higher rate than direct hire workers because they don’t get training,” said Chris Williams, a workers’ rights attorney who brought the case on behalf of the Chicago Workers’ Collaborative.

Despite the frigid end to the month, November 2024 was still nearly 5 degrees warmer than normal. In fact, the entire year is on track to become the warmest since recordkeeping began in 1872.

The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party.

The latest on city budget negotiations as the year-end deadline looms. How Trump’s tariff plan will affect Illinois. And what’s next for the Chicago Bears after firing their head coach.

President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs are set to take effect on his first day in office through executive order, and they’re already drawing concern from economists about global and local impacts.

Chicago had never fired a coach during a season. But a six-game losing streak marked by questionable coaching decisions spurred the founding NFL franchise to change course.

“I get the noise around my administration,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “I’m doing it differently, and I know it feels a certain way, but I’m doing it better. I am. We’ll have a balanced budget that invests in people.”

Illinois regulators are considering adopting a set of standards to improve air quality. The Illinois Pollution Control Board took hours of testimony Monday from environmental and other advocates.

The lower turnout in the November election also followed low turnout in the March primary, which featured uncontested presidential primaries in Illinois after challengers dropped out of the race by the time it was Illinois’ turn to vote.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender people under age 18. At least 26 states have adopted laws restricting or banning such care for minors, and most of those states face lawsuits.

The president said in a statement that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated.

The first professions to be licensed under the new system are clinical psychologists, music therapists and nail technicians.

A man facing felony terrorism and hate crime charges after authorities said he shot a Jewish man and fired at responding officers during an October shootout in Chicago has died by apparent suicide, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said.

Making a successful return from Tommy John surgery, Boyd went 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA in eight starts with Cleveland this year. He also made three postseason starts for the AL Central champions, allowing one run while striking out 14 in 11 2/3 innings.

As City Council members return to City Hall on Monday to wrap up budget hearings after a weeklong Thanksgiving break, there is no clear path to a deal with just 29 days left before the deadline to avoid an unprecedented shutdown of city government.

Foxx’s administration on Saturday published its final report and an eight-year data summary to highlight the “comprehensive overview of the substantial reforms and impacts achieved” during her tenure as Cook County’s top prosecutor.

Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice” at women online and on college campuses. For many women, the words represent a worrying harbinger of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights.

The winter parking ban will begin at 3 a.m. Sunday and will cover 107 miles of arterial streets across Chicago from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. each day from Dec. 1st to April 1st.