Illinois Capital News
State gambling revenues plummet during pandemic
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Revenues flowing into state coffers from legalized gambling operations plummeted during the fiscal year that ended June 30 as casinos, racetracks and other video gambling venues were forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people also slowed down on buying lottery tickets, according to a…
Read MoreStatehouse statues of Stephen Douglas, Pierre Menard to be removed from exterior
Office of the Architect board plans future discussion on statues, artwork inside Capitol By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Statues of two slave-owning men with historical ties to Illinois will be moved from the Statehouse grounds in Springfield to a secure storage site, a panel of four officials voted Wednesday morning, August…
Read MoreLink charged with felony tax evasion
State senator accused of filing false 2016 return By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Terry Link was charged in federal court Thursday with a felony count of tax evasion. In a one-page document, federal prosecutors allege that Link filed a return for tax year 2016 in which he reported income…
Read MoreLawsuit seeks $450 million payment to ratepayers from ComEd, Madigan
Case alleges violation of RICO, which feds used to dismantle organized crime groups By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — A group of Commonwealth Edison ratepayers asked a federal judge Monday, August 10, to force the utility company, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and others to pay “at least” $450 million to be split…
Read MoreState officials offer measured approval of Chicago federal agent surge
Barr says local ‘Operation Legend’ efforts will be different than those in Portland By Raymon Troncoso Capitol News Illinois rtroncoso@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — State leaders on Wednesday, July 22, gave tentative support to a Trump administration plan to send more than 200 federal agents to Chicago, although officials said they would also be on guard for…
Read MoreMadigan: Remove images of Stephen Douglas from Statehouse
Illinois politician of 1850s owned slaves in Mississippi By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on Thursday, July 9, called for removing statues and portraits of the 19th century U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas from the Statehouse along with other known slaveholders. “While reading Sidney Blumenthal’s book ‘All…
Read MoreRaoul asks federal judge to force recognition of Equal Rights Amendment’s ratification
Federal official refuses to act unless judge orders him to do so By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ top lawyer wants a U.S. court to compel a federal official to formally acknowledge the Equal Rights Amendment received enough state support to be added to the U.S. Constitution – a largely procedural…
Read MoreCensus outreach ‘incredibly stymied’ by COVID-19 pandemic
Organizers forced to adapt as in-person outreach efforts put on hold By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Like everyone else, Illinois’ census outreach coordinators have had to adapt to a new reality during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As drastic as this change has been for everyone, it’s the same thing for…
Read MoreDownstate judge denies AG request to move lawmaker’s case to Sangamon County
Bailey’s attorney argues request was state looking for a ‘favorable ear’ By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — A downstate judge on Friday denied the attorney general office’s request to move to Sangamon County a Republican representative’s lawsuit challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s authority to issue successive disaster proclamations. Rep. Darren Bailey, of Xenia,…
Read MorePritzker announces new job training programs for unemployed Illinoisans
IDPH: 3,239 new COVID-19 cases, 138 deaths By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Unemployed Illinoisans will soon have access to free, online skills-based training programs. Beginning in June and lasting through the end of the year, 3,800 courses and 400 specializations will be offered by over 160 universities through the online learning…
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