Illinois House Approves Plan To Create Elected School Board In Chicago
The Illinois House of Representatives late Wednesday passed legislation that would create a fully elected school board in Chicago by 2027.
Watch CBS News
The Illinois House of Representatives late Wednesday passed legislation that would create a fully elected school board in Chicago by 2027.
"Why not wait? If we know that the bill itself is deeply flawed, why are we rushing to ratify?" Lightfoot said.
The Illinois Senate voted 36-15 on Tuesday to approve legislation that would create a 21-member school board starting in 2025.
Illinois lawmakers passed several key pieces of legislation Tuesday, including a proposal for an elected school board for Chicago.
"We're very lucky our revenues came up," said House Majority Leader Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat.
The law would allow pet shops to sell cats and dogs only if they are obtained from animal control facilities or shelters that comply with regulations set out in the bill.
Minority entrepreneurs may soon have a better shot at getting into the marijuana industry, thanks to legislation that just passed the Illinois House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation would prohibit any Illinois school from applying their uniform or dress code to hairstyles "including hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists."
Democrats face a June 30 deadline to enact the maps or give Republicans a 50-50 chance at drawing the new boundary lines.
If the bill is passed, it would go into effect immediately, but would only be allowed for six months.
Illinois Secretary of State's office facilities, courts, and utility offices are all open now – but our unemployment offices that many still desperately need remain closed.
A member of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch's staff tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, as lawmakers and their staffs returned to Springfield after their two-week spring break.
"In the spirit of good governance and in the best interest of the people of the state of Illinois I decline the one month salary to which I am entitled by law," Kodatt said in an email to the Illinois State Comptroller.
Madigan and other Democratic committeepersons from the 22nd District picked Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar to fill the seat.
Illinois State Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt, who was picked to succeed former state Rep. Michael Madigan in the Illinois House, has resigned only three days after he was appointed to his seat.
A spokesperson confirmed Madigan plans to keep his position as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Majority Democrats in the Illinois House adopted procedural rules on Wednesday that the GOP complained are nearly identical to the suppressive ones they labored under in the decades-long rule of former Speaker Michael Madigan.
Illinois state lawmakers can now get the COVID-19 vaccine during Phase 1B of the state's inoculation plan, after Gov. JB Pritzker approved the Illinois General Assembly's request to receive the shots.
Welch was elected earlier this month by the House to replace fellow Democrat Michael Madigan after Madigan was implicated in an ongoing bribery investigation.
The chief of staff to newly-elected Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch tested positive for COVID-19 while lawmakers were in Springfield this week for the lame duck session and the inauguration of the new Illinois General Assembly.
Sources told CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov that Welch has secured the necessary votes from House Democrats to win the speakership when the new Illinois General Assembly is sworn in Wednesday afternoon.
Welch joined the race for Speaker on Monday after Madigan suspended his own campaign and challenged the House Democratic Caucus to "work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker."
"This is not a withdrawal. I have suspended my campaign for Speaker. As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first," Madigan said.
Neither Madigan nor any of his challengers currently have the votes to win the speaker's gavel after the new Illinois General Assembly is sworn in next week.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin last summer filed documents seeking a charge of conduct unbecoming a legislator against Madigan after federal prosecutors implicated the longtime leader in a bribery scheme involving ComEd.
Police in west suburban Oak Brook used a new tool aimed at limiting high-speed chases to catch a fleeing van while responding to a burglary call overnight.
For some students, the year started with outside classes and classwork in unconventional spots inside the adjacent Kennedy High School.
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Braxton Jones took all of the first-team reps at left tackle during Tuesday's practice at Halas Hall, but head coach Ben Johnson didn't sound like he's close to deciding a winner in that competition.
A popular bakery on Chicago's South Side is cleaning up after the second smash-and-grab in a month.
Possible measles exposures have been reported at a high school in Maple Park, Illinois, and a pediatric clinic in South Elgin, Kane County health officials said.
A Wisconsin prosecutor says he will not file election bribery charges against billionaire Elon Musk even though the state's bipartisan elections commission said he likely broke state law.
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's effort to toss out her 2021 conviction on sex-trafficking charges and 20-year prison sentence.
President Trump said the U.S. is considering changing the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" amid an escalating trade fight with Canada.
The Supreme Court divided 6-3 in granting the Trump administration's request for emergency relief.
President Trump said tariffs on Canadian automotive and steel imports will rise to 50% on Jan. 1, 2027, in a social media post.
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.
Contracted linemen from out of state sat idle in a Griffith church parking lot for hours without work orders from NIPSCO, as residents in Northwest Indiana approach two weeks without power.
A law firm has filed a class action lawsuit against NIPSCO, alleging the utility's failure to manage trees and vegetation has left thousands of Northwest Indiana residents without power for up to two weeks.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
A new Illinois law signed by Gov. Pritzker offers up to $1,000 to eligible homeowners hit by storm damage, but the money won't be available until next year — and the program only covers certain areas of Chicago.
Possible measles exposures have been reported at a high school in Maple Park, Illinois, and a pediatric clinic in South Elgin, Kane County health officials said.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Moderna and Merck announced study results that reflect a "landmark moment" in treatment for one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have uncovered some information on how space travel affects — or actually doesn't affect — the heart.
As people age, it becomes crucial to do whatever possible to protect from issues like memory loss. But leading neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter said the process actually starts well before advanced age.
A Wisconsin prosecutor says he will not file election bribery charges against billionaire Elon Musk even though the state's bipartisan elections commission said he likely broke state law.
An expert blames Illinois lawmakers and "internecine political problems" for the failure to seal a deal for a new stadium within the state for the Chicago Bears.
Real estate investment and development firm Concord Capital has acquired nine apartment buildings on Elaine Place, a single-block residential street in Chicago's East Lakeview community.
The Chicago Plan Commission voted Thursday to approve a plan to redevelop Ford City Mall into an industrial complex, despite objections from some neighbors.
A new Barnes & Noble bookstore opened in the heart of downtown Chicago on Wednesday, while separately, a building that used to house an old Barnes & Noble store in the Gold Coast was being demolished.
Dolly Parton was a native and lifelong resident of Tennessee, but she made numerous visits and forged numerous ties to Chicago over the years.
Dolly Parton became an icon over her six-decade career as a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, movie and TV star and theme park owner who donated millions to help others.
Madonna leads all artists with 11 nominations at this year's MTV VMAs, and a full sweep would tie her with Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the most VMA wins in history.
Hayden Panettiere, who starred in "Remember the Titans" as a child actor and rose to fame in the series "Heroes," has died at the age of 36. The coroner's office says she was found in cardiac arrest.
Buddy Guy was honored with the Chicago Music Legend Award at the Obama Presidential Center's Chicago Culture Ball this weekend.
The 28-inch Lielaphis slashi snake was discovered in the forests of New Guinea, the second-largest island in the world, according to the Field Museum.
Online auction house Joopiter says the jersey is the only known white game-winning jersey from the 98 finals available for sale.
Meteorologist David Yeomans is tracking the latest in First Alert Weather.
On Saturday, the United States began imposing 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian goods after negotiators failed to reach an agreement, prompting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to promise new retaliatory tariffs.
Police in west suburban Oak Brook used a new tool aimed at limiting high-speed chases to catch a fleeing van while responding to a burglary call overnight.
Border patrol officers seized more than 1,000 pounds of the illegal stimulant khat at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in two busts last week.
Indiana State Police are currently searching for an escaped prisoner in Northwest Indiana.
A new plan was announced Tuesday for express transportation between O'Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago.
Police in west suburban Oak Brook used a new tool aimed at limiting high-speed chases to catch a fleeing van while responding to a burglary call overnight.
For some students, the year started with outside classes and classwork in unconventional spots inside the adjacent Kennedy High School.
Police in west suburban Oak Brook used a new tool aimed at limiting high-speed chases to catch a fleeing van while responding to a burglary call overnight.
The program was launched by the utility company last year, with some saying it makes it easier to address problem poles.
She was counting down the days to the first day of 5th grade until her school district told her she didn't have a spot there. Now, a federal judge has ordered the district to put the 10-year-old girl with autism back in her neighborhood school.
Who you gonna call if someone locks you out of your own charity? That's the question members of a Ghostbusters-themed nonprofit say they're asking.
Residents of Ogleby Towers on Wednesday morning spoke out about the system that constantly changes their rent, which they say makes it hard to budget.
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Braxton Jones took all of the first-team reps at left tackle during Tuesday's practice at Halas Hall, but head coach Ben Johnson didn't sound like he's close to deciding a winner in that competition.
A White Sox fan went viral after spilling her purse as celebrated picking up catcher Jake Rogers' walk-off home run ball on Friday at Rate Field.
Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 7-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
The rate is much higher than is seen in the general population. CTE is a brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.
The Texas Rangers rout the Chicago White Sox on Monday night to grab the AL West lead.
One person was killed and another was wounded in a shooting Sunday night at a hotel in northwest suburban Wheeling.
At least four people were killed, and 17 more were injured, in weekend shootings across Chicago as of Sunday, according to police.
Chicago police this weekend issued a warning about a string of armed robberies in the city's Bronzeville community.
Illinois State Police and the FBI announced this weekend that they may have a new lead, though not a suspect, in the 1992 murder of college student Tammy Zywicki.
Chicago police were investigating early Sunday after a man was slashed to death the night before in Washington Park.
