SHARELocal officials would be able to limit how much landlords can hike tenants’ rent under a bill that advanced out of an Illinois House committee Wednesday, drawing praise from supporters, who view it as a way to “protect Illinois residents” and housing options.But others criticized the move to overturn the ban on rent control in Illinois, urging lawmakers to “focus on how the pandemic has forever changed housing before they enact new policies.”The bill would repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act, which bars local governments from enacting, maintaining or enforcing “an ordinance or...…SHARELocal officials would be able to limit how much landlords can hike tenants’ rent under a bill that advanced out of an Illinois House committee Wednesday, drawing praise from supporters, who view it as a way to “protect Illinois residents” and housing options.But others criticized the move to overturn the ban on rent control in Illinois, urging lawmakers to “focus on how the pandemic has forever changed housing before they enact new policies.”The bill would repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act, which bars local governments from enacting, maintaining or enforcing “an ordinance or...WW…

SHARENearly a year after he issued his first stay-at-home order, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday announced his plan to reopen the state, employing a “bridge” phase that will include increasing capacity limits at museums, zoos and other places.The governor also announced the expansion of coronavirus vaccine eligibility to all Illinois residents over 16 — except at Chicago sites — starting April 12, and set thresholds for vaccinations and new COVID-19 caseloads for the state to return to normal.“Although we still are in the midst of a global pandemic, the end seems truly to be in sight,”...…SHARENearly a year after he issued his first stay-at-home order, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday announced his plan to reopen the state, employing a “bridge” phase that will include increasing capacity limits at museums, zoos and other places.The governor also announced the expansion of coronavirus vaccine eligibility to all Illinois residents over 16 — except at Chicago sites — starting April 12, and set thresholds for vaccinations and new COVID-19 caseloads for the state to return to normal.“Although we still are in the midst of a global pandemic, the end seems truly to be in sight,”...WW…

SHAREJust two days after personally anointing his successor in the Illinois House, Mike Madigan on Tuesday abruptly urged the 13th Ward employee to step down from the post due to “alleged questionable conduct.”Madigan was instrumental in engineering the appointment of state Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt, 26, on Sunday, giving him 56% of the weighted vote. But a little more than 48 hours later, the former Illinois House speaker suddenly switched gears.“After learning of alleged questionable conduct by Mr. Kodatt, it was suggested that he resign as state representative for the 22ndDistrict,”...…SHAREJust two days after personally anointing his successor in the Illinois House, Mike Madigan on Tuesday abruptly urged the 13th Ward employee to step down from the post due to “alleged questionable conduct.”Madigan was instrumental in engineering the appointment of state Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt, 26, on Sunday, giving him 56% of the weighted vote. But a little more than 48 hours later, the former Illinois House speaker suddenly switched gears.“After learning of alleged questionable conduct by Mr. Kodatt, it was suggested that he resign as state representative for the 22ndDistrict,”...WW…

SHAREFormer state Rep. Michael Madigan passed the baton to a 13th Ward employee Sunday, appointing Edward Guerra Kodatt to fill the seat the former speaker held for half a century.Kodatt received 63% of the weighted vote.Madigan had the largest share of the weighted vote total at 56%; 18th Ward committeeperson and Ald. Derrick Curtis and Stickney committeeperson Vincent Cainkar, who gave his share of the weighted vote to Curtis, also voted to appoint Kodatt to the Illinois House’s 22nd District seat.State Rep. Aaron Ortiz, who also serves as 14th Ward committeeperson, and Silvana Tabares,...…SHAREFormer state Rep. Michael Madigan passed the baton to a 13th Ward employee Sunday, appointing Edward Guerra Kodatt to fill the seat the former speaker held for half a century.Kodatt received 63% of the weighted vote.Madigan had the largest share of the weighted vote total at 56%; 18th Ward committeeperson and Ald. Derrick Curtis and Stickney committeeperson Vincent Cainkar, who gave his share of the weighted vote to Curtis, also voted to appoint Kodatt to the Illinois House’s 22nd District seat.State Rep. Aaron Ortiz, who also serves as 14th Ward committeeperson, and Silvana Tabares,...WW…

Filed under:As 13th Ward committeeperson in the Cook County Democratic Party, Madigan has 56% of the weighted vote that will decide who replaces him in the House.Mike Madigan said Thursday he’ll give up the Illinois House seat he’s held for half a century — but unlike when he lost the more coveted speaker’s post a month ago, this time the Southwest Side Democrat is in a position to handpick his successor.In a lengthy statement, Madigan said it was an honor to “serve the people of Illinois as speaker of the House and state representative of the 22nd District,” and he took aim at the “vicious...…Filed under:As 13th Ward committeeperson in the Cook County Democratic Party, Madigan has 56% of the weighted vote that will decide who replaces him in the House.Mike Madigan said Thursday he’ll give up the Illinois House seat he’s held for half a century — but unlike when he lost the more coveted speaker’s post a month ago, this time the Southwest Side Democrat is in a position to handpick his successor.In a lengthy statement, Madigan said it was an honor to “serve the people of Illinois as speaker of the House and state representative of the 22nd District,” and he took aim at the “vicious...WW…

SHARECensus data needed for the upcoming redrawing of legislative districts likelywon’t be available until September, a delay that could throw “a monkey wrench” into the state’s remapping process — and the political campaigns that follow.That late release could put the state about five or six days before the constitutional deadline for having maps finished, state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said.“I think this is going to be a huge issue as we try to redistrict this spring without having the data that we need to do the redistricting,” Butler said. “We’re going to have to do it...…SHARECensus data needed for the upcoming redrawing of legislative districts likelywon’t be available until September, a delay that could throw “a monkey wrench” into the state’s remapping process — and the political campaigns that follow.That late release could put the state about five or six days before the constitutional deadline for having maps finished, state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said.“I think this is going to be a huge issue as we try to redistrict this spring without having the data that we need to do the redistricting,” Butler said. “We’re going to have to do it...WW…

SHARENorth Side Democrats promised no backroom dealing in appointing a successor to former state Sen. Heather Steans, vowing the process would be open and transparent.But state Rep. Kelly Cassidy said Monday that wasn’t the case — and her decision to not engage in those dealings may have been a key reason why she lost the chance to win the appointment herself.“I think that what it says is that we’ve got a long way to go to fix the culture, and get people accustomed to doing things in a truly open manner,” Cassidy said. “A deal that is supposedly high-minded is still a backroom deal.”Cassidy...…SHARENorth Side Democrats promised no backroom dealing in appointing a successor to former state Sen. Heather Steans, vowing the process would be open and transparent.But state Rep. Kelly Cassidy said Monday that wasn’t the case — and her decision to not engage in those dealings may have been a key reason why she lost the chance to win the appointment herself.“I think that what it says is that we’ve got a long way to go to fix the culture, and get people accustomed to doing things in a truly open manner,” Cassidy said. “A deal that is supposedly high-minded is still a backroom deal.”Cassidy...WW…

SHAREIn a surprise move, North Side Democrats on Saturday chose a former policy director under Mayor Rahm Emanuel and deputy commissioner in the city’s department of planning and development to ascend to former Sen. Heather Steans’ seat.Mike Simmons, a lifelong resident of the district, was chosen by a group of Cook County Democratic Party committeepeople to serve out the remainder of Steans’ term, garnering 67,516 weighted votes from members of the committee. He has never held office.Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, received 22,493 votes — the winner needed 45,006 votes.In a statement,...…SHAREIn a surprise move, North Side Democrats on Saturday chose a former policy director under Mayor Rahm Emanuel and deputy commissioner in the city’s department of planning and development to ascend to former Sen. Heather Steans’ seat.Mike Simmons, a lifelong resident of the district, was chosen by a group of Cook County Democratic Party committeepeople to serve out the remainder of Steans’ term, garnering 67,516 weighted votes from members of the committee. He has never held office.Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, received 22,493 votes — the winner needed 45,006 votes.In a statement,...WW…

SHAREOn a unanimous vote, the Cook County Board approved a $6.9 billion budget with no new taxes and the promise of less than ten layoffs Tuesday — but acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic will still ensure “there’s a tough year ahead.”The Board of Commissioners voted 17-0 to pass the amended spending plan, which includes funds for a new immigration unit within the public defender’s office and a monitor of spending by the Justice Advisory Council, which works with the sheriff and state’s attorney and other public safety officers to coordinate and implement proposed criminal and...…SHAREOn a unanimous vote, the Cook County Board approved a $6.9 billion budget with no new taxes and the promise of less than ten layoffs Tuesday — but acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic will still ensure “there’s a tough year ahead.”The Board of Commissioners voted 17-0 to pass the amended spending plan, which includes funds for a new immigration unit within the public defender’s office and a monitor of spending by the Justice Advisory Council, which works with the sheriff and state’s attorney and other public safety officers to coordinate and implement proposed criminal and...WW…

SHAREDemocratic ward bosses will be asked Wednesday to endorse legislation vehemently opposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot — bills that would create an elected board to run Chicago Public Schools — in a move one committeeperson called an extension of party Chairman Toni Preckwinkle’s political feud with Lightfoot.Lightfoot campaigned as a staunch proponent of an elected school board, only to repeatedly block what she calls an “unwieldy” bill that would triple the size of the board to 21 members, headed by an elected president.Last month, she fueled speculation about whether she will ever deliver...…SHAREDemocratic ward bosses will be asked Wednesday to endorse legislation vehemently opposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot — bills that would create an elected board to run Chicago Public Schools — in a move one committeeperson called an extension of party Chairman Toni Preckwinkle’s political feud with Lightfoot.Lightfoot campaigned as a staunch proponent of an elected school board, only to repeatedly block what she calls an “unwieldy” bill that would triple the size of the board to 21 members, headed by an elected president.Last month, she fueled speculation about whether she will ever deliver...WW…