Light punishment for Chicago parks manager with clout
The daughter of disgraced Ald. Danny Solis got “verbal counseling” for failing to report a sexual harassment allegation, records show.
Politics
With one of Illinois’ largest political reporting teams, WBEZ’s Government & Politics desk holds elected officials and government bodies accountable. We cover the policy debates and political machinations happening at the state Capitol in Springfield, in Cook County government and at Chicago’s City Hall.
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Illinois legislative staffers can unionize under a bill introduced by the state House speaker
The move comes after nearly a year of requests for voluntary recognition by employees in offices run by Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
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City Council confirms Larry Snelling as CPD superintendent by unanimous vote
Snelling will now have to confront the alarming surge of robberies and vehicular theft that has residents of North Side neighborhoods like Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Old Town and Lakeview up in arms.
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Michael Madigan’s name is stripped from the property tax firm he helped found
The ex-Illinois House speaker is awaiting trial for his alleged role in a federal bribery scheme.
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Chicago Park District pays out almost $2 million to three former lifeguards
Documents obtained by WBEZ show Park District officials have quietly settled sexual misconduct cases at the city’s beaches and pools.
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A former Fermilab physicist, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster is using AI technology, and he’s worried
As the only member of Congress with a Ph.D. in physics, Foster is using AI to learn more about a field that fascinates many and terrifies others, including federal officials.
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Illinois lawmakers warn that a government shutdown would ripple through the state
If Congress doesn’t pass a federal spending bill by Oct. 1, agency closures will disrupt numerous routine functions for Illinois residents.
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 22, 2023
Illinois becomes the first state to end cash bail, and Chicago gets closer to ending its lower minimum wage for tipped workers.
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Records show at least two Chicago City Council members aren’t accepting a pay raise
The city’s budget office wouldn’t confirm whether Mayor Brandon Johnson or the remaining 48 alderpersons will receive the annual raise.
