Despite repeatedly promising to be “independent” of longtime Democratic boss Michael Madigan, first-term Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker filled many prominent roles in his administration with people recommended by the state House speaker and party chairman, a WBEZ investigation has revealed.As Pritzker won the election in 2018 and was sworn into office last year, Madigan’s office sent him the names of scores of job seekers and the positions in state government they desired. Madigan’s successful recommendations far outnumbered those from other legislative leaders, with records showing the new...…Despite repeatedly promising to be “independent” of longtime Democratic boss Michael Madigan, first-term Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker filled many prominent roles in his administration with people recommended by the state House speaker and party chairman, a WBEZ investigation has revealed.As Pritzker won the election in 2018 and was sworn into office last year, Madigan’s office sent him the names of scores of job seekers and the positions in state government they desired. Madigan’s successful recommendations far outnumbered those from other legislative leaders, with records showing the new...WW…

At the end of the “Re-open Illinois” protest outside the Illinois Capitol this month, Republican state Rep. Darren Bailey led a prayer that doubled as a political speech against Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home orders.“Forgive us, father God, for being quiet too long,” in his strong country drawl, standing in front of a statue of Abraham Lincoln. “Restore us. Rescue us. Heal us. Bring justice to this property right here, father God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”“AMEN!” the crowd of protesters answered Bailey.Bailey Read more:Polls have shown for the governor’s orders, which...…At the end of the “Re-open Illinois” protest outside the Illinois Capitol this month, Republican state Rep. Darren Bailey led a prayer that doubled as a political speech against Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home orders.“Forgive us, father God, for being quiet too long,” in his strong country drawl, standing in front of a statue of Abraham Lincoln. “Restore us. Rescue us. Heal us. Bring justice to this property right here, father God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”“AMEN!” the crowd of protesters answered Bailey.Bailey Read more:Polls have shown for the governor’s orders, which...WW…

The state of Illinois’ highly touted new system for processing unemployment benefits claims for gig workers mistakenly “made some private information publicly available,” according to a spokeswoman for Gov. JB Pritzker.The acknowledgement from the governor’s office came late Saturday, after WBEZ reviewed a screenshot from the website of the Illinois Department of Employment Security showing the names of claimants, their Social Security numbers and other information about their cases for benefits from the state.The private information belonged to applicants for federally funded benefits to...…The state of Illinois’ highly touted new system for processing unemployment benefits claims for gig workers mistakenly “made some private information publicly available,” according to a spokeswoman for Gov. JB Pritzker.The acknowledgement from the governor’s office came late Saturday, after WBEZ reviewed a screenshot from the website of the Illinois Department of Employment Security showing the names of claimants, their Social Security numbers and other information about their cases for benefits from the state.The private information belonged to applicants for federally funded benefits to...WW…