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Homework; for many of us adults, it's been eons since we had school assignments. Now 13-year-old twins in southwest suburbs want to give Illinois lawmakers a big project.
Illinois state lawmakers have approved legislation that could throw a wrench in Chicago Public Schools' reopening plans, lifting limits on the Chicago Teachers Union's bargaining rights, which could force the district to negotiate with the union over the phased return to in-person classes.
"The pandemic has caused every state in the nation to face tremendous revenue shortfalls, and Illinois is no exception," Pritzker said Tuesday afternoon.
Amid a resurgence of the pandemic that has seen Illinois set new daily COVID-19 case records several times in the past few weeks, state lawmakers have canceled plans for the upcoming veto session before and after the Thanksgiving holiday.
"We spend billions of dollars a year keeping too many people in an overcrowded prison system that has proven itself too expensive, too punitive and wholly ineffective at keeping Illinois families safe," Pritzker said in a statement.
"The committee will meet again in person on November 5 in Springfield – without the backdrop of a political campaign," said Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside).
Dozens of clergy members said the current flat tax places an unfair burden on the working poor and middle class, and they believe millionaires and billionaires should pay a greater share of taxes.
Kifowit was one of the first Democrats in the Illinois House to demand Madigan resign as speaker, after he was implicated in the ComEd bribery scandal.
"Speaker Madigan needs to come forward and testify," Illinois State Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) said.
The speaker stressed that his decision not to appear before the committee does not mean he is invoking his Fifth Amendment rights, and again insisted he has done nothing wrong.
Lawmakers from both parties agreed to consult with U.S. Attorney John Lausch to make sure their probe won't interfere with the criminal investigation of ComEd.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday thanked the Illinois General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules for upholding his order allowing local authorities to fine establishments that fail to enforce the rules on wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rep. Tim Butler, a Springfield Republican, has proposed a constitutional amendment, with some key Democratic backing, to limit legislative leaders to eight years in one leadership position and 12 in two.
The measure was approved by state lawmakers last month, allowing the state to automatically send ballot applications to people who voted or applied for an absentee ballot in recent elections.
The spending plan essentially maintains budget levels from last year, but does not count on any increased revenue from a proposal to pass a graduated income tax that will appear on Illinois ballots in November.
While there is no language in the state budget that prohibits a pay raise, it does not provide any money to cover the cost of a pay raise.
Late Wednesday night, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan called on everyone who attended the special session of the Illinois General Assembly last weekend to get tested for the coronavirus or go into a two-week quarantine.
The hospitals asked the Legislature for $110 million for fiscal year 2021 and a total of $520 million over five years to offset losses as they created the system and built a new hospital.
Illinois state lawmakers were back home in their districts for the holiday Monday, after a whirlwind of a special session in Springfield. Two of the winners after votes were cast were the City of Chicago and state restaurant and bar owners.
Illinois state lawmakers this weekend approved an approximately $40 billion state budget that largely maintains spending, along with a plan to push forward a Chicago casino, during an extraordinary special session held amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Phase 3 permits all gatherings, not just essential ones, of 10 people or fewer. That means if you want to go enjoy a picnic in the park or walk with nine other people, you can. Just remember to wear a mask or face covering one social distancing cannot be maintained."
"If the GOP wants to keep people from voting on this, keep people away from the ballot box, that says something about the lack of confidence in their position," Gov. JB Pritzker said.
The subject of when things will reopen from the stay-at-home order to fight the coronavirus pandemic has led to defiance across the state.
Both the Illinois House and Illinois Senate will hold session from May 20 through May 22.
"With this plan it could be months or even years before the state would fully reopen as we wait for a treatment or vaccine," said Rep. Dan Brady.
A man and woman were injured in a drive-by shooting near an apartment on Chicago's West Side on Thursday night.
The Lincoln-Way East High School board voted to allow six students accused of racially harassing students from Homewood-Flossmoor to withdraw.
An unusual charge on an insurance letter led a woman to a bizarre medical office where mountains of unopened mail pile up and no employees have ever been seen.
One year since a Humboldt Park restaurant owner was detained by federal immigration agents and later deported to his native Pakistan, his family said they are still raising awareness of his case and the impact his separation has had on them.
Cook County Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization that offers monetary rewards to help police solve violent crimes, said they are running out of money and might be forced to close at the end of the year.
A day after Mayor Brandon Johnson's revised renter protection ordinance got the backing of a key City Council committee, a group of aldermen advanced a dueling proposal, setting up a potential showdown next week.
Two months after Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling retired, some members of the City Council are pushing to hold off on appointing a permanent replacement until after next year's mayoral election.
Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks reversed course on a House resolution to require congressional approval for continued military action against Iran, citing open-ended war concerns ahead of competitive midterm races.
A City Council committee on Wednesday backed Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposal to increase protections for Chicago renters, after he dropped a key provision opposed by landlords, but the mayor's critics plan to press on with a competing proposal.
Illinois' senior senator, the Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, opened Tuesday's oversight hearing by accusing the director of turning the bureau's powers against President Trump's political opponents.
Nicor customers will get a break on their bills this fall after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roul reached an agreement with the utility to cut $140 million from its requested rate hike.
Drivers in Chicago and beyond were paying the highest gas prices ever recorded for the Labor Day holiday as millions of Americans were making their way home on Monday.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Thursday against ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Inc., alleging deceptive business practices.
Cook County homeowners are again facing a sharper increase in property taxes this year than businesses, the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Monday.
Nearly half of Americans with medical debt owe at least $2,000, forcing them to make tough choices, new research shows.
A judge on Tuesday was expected to place two shuttered Chicago-area safety-net hospitals into receivership.
Cardinal Blase Cupich and a group of Catholic nuns have joined a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois' Medical Aid in Dying law, which is set to take effect in just over a week.
Flies have been everywhere this summer in the Chicago area, and some of them bite. But why is this happening?
Prime Healthcare is drawing criticism after announcing it will stop obstetrics services at three Chicago-area hospitals.
The future of Rate Field was back in the spotlight on Wednesday.
Plans for a new Chicago White Sox stadium in the South Loop have residents near the existing ballpark in Bridgeport concerned, not just because the team might be leaving, but also what might be coming nearby.
A new report from the University of Illinois Chicago said federal immigration enforcement led to $1.26 billion in unspent money at retail establishments and restaurants in Cook County.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
The stage was set and the air was humid as rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, took the stage for the first of two Chicago concerts at Soldier Field Thursday night.
James Fulton Engstrom, now a healthy teenager, was born without a pulse in 2010 — and his survival is the miracle the Catholic Church credited to Fulton Sheen's intercession, clearing the way for beatification.
The Salt & Light Coalition works to support sex trafficking survivors. Here's how you can support their efforts.
The world's largest steppers competition is coming to the Tiney Park Convention Center on Saturday night.
A man has been arrested and charged with murder for the fatal shooting of an OEMC employee in West Ridge in February.
Anjanette Young joins Audrina Sinclair and Dana Kozlov on CBS News Chicago.
Six students from Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois, accused of racially harassing students from Homewood-Flossmoor, are now leaving the school.
Six students from Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois, accused of racially harassing students from Homewood-Flossmoor, are now leaving the school.
The man charged with murder for the fatal shooting of an OEMC employee in West Ridge in February is expected in court on Friday.
An unusual charge on an insurance letter led a woman to a bizarre medical office where mountains of unopened mail pile up and no employees have ever been seen.
A man and woman were injured in a drive-by shooting near an apartment on Chicago's West Side on Thursday night.
One year since a Humboldt Park restaurant owner was detained by federal immigration agents and later deported to his native Pakistan, his family said they are still raising awareness of his case and the impact his separation has had on them.
The village of Grayslake is touting a new massive data center, but neighbors say they weren't given an opportunity to make their voices heard before the project was approved.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
Both hospitals were supposed to be placed in receivership, but after five hours of closed-door negotiations on Tuesday, it is still unclear what the future holds for both hospitals.
Chicago police crime data show 255 reported crimes in the last two years on the two blocks where the former Hard Rock and Rainforest cafés sit vacant. Neighbors have been calling the city about the alley between them for six years.
A three-year effort by the Cook County Sheriff's Office to help bring down crime on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago appears to be working.
Munetaka Murakami hit his team-leading 32nd home run as the Chicago White Sox tied with Cleveland for first place in the AL Central with a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Chicago Bears starting right tackle Darnell Wright returned to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday, a day after missing practice with a knee injury, but it's the defense that's getting some renewed focus after a rough opener against the Panthers.
The Chicago Blackhawks opened training camp with three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane back on the roster, bolstering their own hopes of returning to the postseason.
Armstrong homered to lead off the third, breaking Billy Williams' franchise record set in 1970.
Petey Halpin hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, Parker Messick struck out eight and the Cleveland Guardians moved into first place in the AL Central with a 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Inside the home, owned by Eugene Horsch and connected to his father, R.C. Horsch, authorities have found a trove of digital images, a so-called laboratory of chemicals and a small marijuana grow operation.
Three girls have been charged with threatening a school in the west Chicago suburb of Addison, with two of them making a video depicting a shooting at the school, authorities announced Wednesday.
A Zion man has been charged in the shooting death of another man in July in north suburban Ingleside.
Chicago police on Wednesday were looking for a man who attacked and beat another man and ordered his dog to bite the victim in the Edgewater neighborhood.
Shots were fired during a fight early Wednesday morning on busy Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Budlong Woods neighborhood.
