SHAREIllinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday he will not reopen schools for in-person instruction because of the coronavirus, ensuring the unprecedented disruption to the education of the state’s 2.2 million students will continue through the end of the academic year.The governor announced the decision at his daily afternoon press conference, joining 27 states and three U.S. territories that have either ordered or recommended the same action, decisions that have impacted more than 25 million students.“Science says our students can’t go back to their normal routine,” Pritzker said. “To...…SHAREIllinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday he will not reopen schools for in-person instruction because of the coronavirus, ensuring the unprecedented disruption to the education of the state’s 2.2 million students will continue through the end of the academic year.The governor announced the decision at his daily afternoon press conference, joining 27 states and three U.S. territories that have either ordered or recommended the same action, decisions that have impacted more than 25 million students.“Science says our students can’t go back to their normal routine,” Pritzker said. “To...WW…

SHAREEarly last year, when federal investigations into public corruption dominated the headlines, a longtime ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan gave a little advice to a ComEd vice president, according to an explosive court document filed Friday.Lobbyist Mike McClain allegedly told the utility executive that, “I would say to you don’t put anything in writing.”“All it can do is hurt ya,” he added.The two then discussed a “favor” for Madigan that federal prosecutors now say was part of a brazen, years-long Chicago-style bribery scheme that sent $1.3 million to Madigan’s associates for...…SHAREEarly last year, when federal investigations into public corruption dominated the headlines, a longtime ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan gave a little advice to a ComEd vice president, according to an explosive court document filed Friday.Lobbyist Mike McClain allegedly told the utility executive that, “I would say to you don’t put anything in writing.”“All it can do is hurt ya,” he added.The two then discussed a “favor” for Madigan that federal prosecutors now say was part of a brazen, years-long Chicago-style bribery scheme that sent $1.3 million to Madigan’s associates for...WW…

An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowWhen former White House press secretary Jake Siewert recently spoke before a Columbia University class, the hosting professor described his resume in reverse chronological order.Siewert served in the Treasury Department under President Barack Obama. He worked for aluminum giant Alcoa Corporation. And before that, he worked as a White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton. "Literally the entire class laughed," Siewert told Insider. "I think the first challenge is to make the...…An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowWhen former White House press secretary Jake Siewert recently spoke before a Columbia University class, the hosting professor described his resume in reverse chronological order.Siewert served in the Treasury Department under President Barack Obama. He worked for aluminum giant Alcoa Corporation. And before that, he worked as a White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton. "Literally the entire class laughed," Siewert told Insider. "I think the first challenge is to make the...WW…

An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowOne of the country's most influential progressive Democrats will get just 60 seconds to speak at the overhauled virtual Democratic National Convention next week, where Joe Biden is poised to accept his party's presidential nomination, Insider has learned. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is prerecording a one-minute speech from her home base in New York to be heard on Tuesday night, according to her spokeswoman. Ocasio-Cortez is writing her own words — with the blessings of the Democratic...…An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowOne of the country's most influential progressive Democrats will get just 60 seconds to speak at the overhauled virtual Democratic National Convention next week, where Joe Biden is poised to accept his party's presidential nomination, Insider has learned. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is prerecording a one-minute speech from her home base in New York to be heard on Tuesday night, according to her spokeswoman. Ocasio-Cortez is writing her own words — with the blessings of the Democratic...WW…

SHAREA downstate judge has ruled in favor of a Republican legislator in his lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker over whether the Democratic governor exceeded his legal authority in issuing a stay-at-home order in March to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.Just hours earlier, Pritzker notched a win in federal court against the Illinois Republican Party, which sued the governor claiming he violated the GOP’s constitutional rights to assemble during the coronavirus outbreak.In the downstate lawsuit, state Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, and his attorneys fought hard to keep it in state court. And Clay...…SHAREA downstate judge has ruled in favor of a Republican legislator in his lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker over whether the Democratic governor exceeded his legal authority in issuing a stay-at-home order in March to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.Just hours earlier, Pritzker notched a win in federal court against the Illinois Republican Party, which sued the governor claiming he violated the GOP’s constitutional rights to assemble during the coronavirus outbreak.In the downstate lawsuit, state Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, and his attorneys fought hard to keep it in state court. And Clay...WW…

SHAREGov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday signed a $42.9 billion “maintenance” budget that’s largely reliant on borrowing and the hope that the federal government will provide Illinois with more COVID-19 assistance.It’s a budget no one could have predicted, but one that Democrats said would toss the state a lifeline amid a world of uncertainty.When Pritzker signed his first budget in June 2019, he called it a “new era of fiscal stability.” His plan even generated a $150 million surplus to help down the state’s bill backlog. Then came 2020 — with 6,095 killed by the coronavirus, 1,361,036...…SHAREGov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday signed a $42.9 billion “maintenance” budget that’s largely reliant on borrowing and the hope that the federal government will provide Illinois with more COVID-19 assistance.It’s a budget no one could have predicted, but one that Democrats said would toss the state a lifeline amid a world of uncertainty.When Pritzker signed his first budget in June 2019, he called it a “new era of fiscal stability.” His plan even generated a $150 million surplus to help down the state’s bill backlog. Then came 2020 — with 6,095 killed by the coronavirus, 1,361,036...WW…

SHAREIllinois health officials on Wednesday said another 80 people have died from the coronavirus, with 1,346 new cases reported — but Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration says both the new hospitalization and death rate remain flat.Pritzker for days has said Illinois is indeed “bending the curve.” But he’s warned repeatedly that residents must continue to stay home in order for the curve to truly drop. Residents are abiding by executive orders that mandate school closures and the stay-at-home order until April 30, but many are expecting an extension. With the additional 80 deaths reported...…SHAREIllinois health officials on Wednesday said another 80 people have died from the coronavirus, with 1,346 new cases reported — but Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration says both the new hospitalization and death rate remain flat.Pritzker for days has said Illinois is indeed “bending the curve.” But he’s warned repeatedly that residents must continue to stay home in order for the curve to truly drop. Residents are abiding by executive orders that mandate school closures and the stay-at-home order until April 30, but many are expecting an extension. With the additional 80 deaths reported...WW…

SHAREFor weeks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been asked just how bad the state budget shortfall would be in light of a coronavirus outbreak that has devastated the nation’s economy and killed nearly a thousand people in Illinois alone.On Wednesday — at Pritzker’s 38th consecutive daily coronavirus briefing — the Democratic governor unveiled the grim projections from his budget office: $2.7 billion less revenue than expected for the budget the state is currently operating under, and $4.6 billion less revenue for a budget plan for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.With short-term borrowing to...…SHAREFor weeks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been asked just how bad the state budget shortfall would be in light of a coronavirus outbreak that has devastated the nation’s economy and killed nearly a thousand people in Illinois alone.On Wednesday — at Pritzker’s 38th consecutive daily coronavirus briefing — the Democratic governor unveiled the grim projections from his budget office: $2.7 billion less revenue than expected for the budget the state is currently operating under, and $4.6 billion less revenue for a budget plan for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.With short-term borrowing to...WW…

SHAREGov. J.B Pritzker on Tuesday said President Donald Trump is “fomenting some violence” and stirring up protests that will lead to more COVID-19 deaths by urging states to “liberate” themselves from stay-at-home orders meant to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.Pritzker accused the president of resorting to a “political maneuver in the middle of a national emergency.”“And he should stop it,” Pritzker said.A day after Trump said he’d issue guidance to the nation’s governors, the president on Friday tweeted “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!”Similar tweets about Michigan and Virginia followed....…SHAREGov. J.B Pritzker on Tuesday said President Donald Trump is “fomenting some violence” and stirring up protests that will lead to more COVID-19 deaths by urging states to “liberate” themselves from stay-at-home orders meant to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.Pritzker accused the president of resorting to a “political maneuver in the middle of a national emergency.”“And he should stop it,” Pritzker said.A day after Trump said he’d issue guidance to the nation’s governors, the president on Friday tweeted “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!”Similar tweets about Michigan and Virginia followed....WW…

SHAREIllinois has reached its peak — but that high level in coronavirus deaths could last “a couple of weeks” and see as many as 150 Illinoisans dying of COVID-19 a day.The COVID-19 projection and worst-case fatality scenario are from scientific modeling released exclusively to the Chicago Sun-Times by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. The Democratic governor has been repeatedly asked what models he’s using to make major decisions that are keeping Illinois residents at home, businesses closed and streets and parks largely empty.That stay-at-home order is expected to be extended.And...…SHAREIllinois has reached its peak — but that high level in coronavirus deaths could last “a couple of weeks” and see as many as 150 Illinoisans dying of COVID-19 a day.The COVID-19 projection and worst-case fatality scenario are from scientific modeling released exclusively to the Chicago Sun-Times by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. The Democratic governor has been repeatedly asked what models he’s using to make major decisions that are keeping Illinois residents at home, businesses closed and streets and parks largely empty.That stay-at-home order is expected to be extended.And...WW…