Amid a sprawling federal corruption probe, Commonwealth Edison quadrupled its payments last year to a powerhouse Chicago-based law firm that’s representing the utility giant in the investigation of its Springfield lobbying practices, WBEZ has learned.Federal regulatory documents show ComEd paid Jenner & Block nearly $2.4 million in 2019 — more than what the power company had reported paying the law firm in the previous four years combined.the feds are investigating whether ComEd hired politically connected consultants — some with ties to powerful Illinois House Speaker and state...…Amid a sprawling federal corruption probe, Commonwealth Edison quadrupled its payments last year to a powerhouse Chicago-based law firm that’s representing the utility giant in the investigation of its Springfield lobbying practices, WBEZ has learned.Federal regulatory documents show ComEd paid Jenner & Block nearly $2.4 million in 2019 — more than what the power company had reported paying the law firm in the previous four years combined.the feds are investigating whether ComEd hired politically connected consultants — some with ties to powerful Illinois House Speaker and state...WW…

When Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul watched the video of George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, he found himself wishing he could have done more years ago.“I’m angry in all sorts of directions, including angry at myself,” Raoul said in an interview this week with WBEZ. “We’ve had several incidents over time that at each point we say, ‘Oh, this could serve as an impetus for change,’ and we only go so far, right? We only go so far.”Raoul is a first-term Democrat who’s just the second black man to serve as the state’s top elected law enforcement officer. He’s...…When Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul watched the video of George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, he found himself wishing he could have done more years ago.“I’m angry in all sorts of directions, including angry at myself,” Raoul said in an interview this week with WBEZ. “We’ve had several incidents over time that at each point we say, ‘Oh, this could serve as an impetus for change,’ and we only go so far, right? We only go so far.”Raoul is a first-term Democrat who’s just the second black man to serve as the state’s top elected law enforcement officer. He’s...WW…

Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Wednesday dismissed another Republican-driven lawsuit aiming to derail his upcoming stay-at-home order extension as political showboating as COVID-19 deaths continued their unrelenting move higher.The newest court maneuver taken by state Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, aims to free everyone in the state from the governor’s edict, not just himself, but at least some legal scholars cast serious doubts on the two cases that now challenge Pritzker’s emergency authority.Cabello’s lawsuit comes after a downstate judge on Monday, exempting a different GOP...…Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Wednesday dismissed another Republican-driven lawsuit aiming to derail his upcoming stay-at-home order extension as political showboating as COVID-19 deaths continued their unrelenting move higher.The newest court maneuver taken by state Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, aims to free everyone in the state from the governor’s edict, not just himself, but at least some legal scholars cast serious doubts on the two cases that now challenge Pritzker’s emergency authority.Cabello’s lawsuit comes after a downstate judge on Monday, exempting a different GOP...WW…

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump Monday morning about the White House’s response to the death of George Floyd and the ensuing demonstrations and looting around the country.Speaking on a conference call between the president and governors, Pritzker challenged Trump head-on.“I’ve been extraordinarily concerned about the rhetoric that’s been used by you. It’s been inflammatory,” Pritzker said, according to a transcript. “But we have to call for calm. We have to have police reform called for. We’ve called out our national guard and our state police, but the rhetoric...…Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump Monday morning about the White House’s response to the death of George Floyd and the ensuing demonstrations and looting around the country.Speaking on a conference call between the president and governors, Pritzker challenged Trump head-on.“I’ve been extraordinarily concerned about the rhetoric that’s been used by you. It’s been inflammatory,” Pritzker said, according to a transcript. “But we have to call for calm. We have to have police reform called for. We’ve called out our national guard and our state police, but the rhetoric...WW…