Democrat Mitchell Esslinger announced his bid for the Illinois House Wednesday, with a campaign announcement that targeted his opponent, Republican incumbent Brad Halbrook. At a stop in St. Joseph, the 26-year-old Esslinger accused Halbrook of supporting divisiveness and the status quo, and not caring about the needs of ordinary people. “This district has seen its…
DANVILLE – The Danville City Council approved a zoning permit for a cannabis cultivation center, and funding for Fourth of July fireworks at its meeting on Tuesday night. (See the agenda and meeting materials at this link.) Council members voted 10-1 to grant a special use permit allowing Bourbonnais-based Alexander Real Properties to build the…
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition of “Ask the Newsroom,” we’ve answered questions on pools reopening during Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan, and SNAP benefits for the month of June. Please note, the information…
URBANA – Bryant Seraphin’s appointment as Urbana police chief has been renewed for another year by the Urbana City Council. Approval came Wednesday night, on a 5-1 vote, with one abstention. Alderman William Colbrook (R-Ward 6) abstained, citing his position as Parkland College police chief. The “no” vote came from Alderman Jared Miller. The Ward…
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition of “Ask the Newsroom,” we’ve answered questions about services and activities reopened in Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, as well as what to expect moving forward. Please note, the…
At their Monday night Committee of the Whole meeting, Urbana City Council members condemned the police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Earlier Monday, several city officials had participated in a demonstration on the streets of downtown Urbana in George Floyd’s memory. But afterwards, the city council members heard criticism of some of their…
CHICAGO – During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded to protests in Minnesota over the killing of a black man by a white police officer. Pritzker also reiterated his belief that President Donald Trump is a racist. Pritzker expressed condolences to all African-Americans and in particular to the family of George Floyd….
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition of “Ask the Newsroom,” we’ve answered related to the reopening of Illinois, following Gov. J.B. Pritkzer’s “Restore Illinois” plan. The entire state is set to move into Phase 3 this…
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Republicans are demanding a vote in the General Assembly on removing from the fall ballot a proposed graduated income tax structure, saying the state’s pandemic-pillaged economy can’t sustain higher taxes. House Minority Leader Jim Durkin and Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady said Monday that the special session this week in Springfield should…
CHICAGO — Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been officially disbarred. The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Monday that it revoked Blagojevich’s law license. The announcement was not a surprise, as Blagojevich didn’t even attend a March hearing in which the matter was discussed and indicated afterward that he had no intention of practicing…
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition of Ask the Newsroom, we’ve answered questions about the Restore Illinois plan, dental care in Illinois and protections for meatpackers. Please note, the information below is accurate as of May…
There is a slew of uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on Illinois residents and businesses. We’ve received questions from listeners about everything from the virus and its impact on correctional facilities to daily testing and wearing masks in public. We’ve answered some of the questions we received below. Correctional facilities Q: How many…
A Clay County judge Monday ruled in favor of Republican State Rep. Darren Bailey in his fight against Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order. Judge Michael McHaney granted a temporary restraining order to Bailey, saying that Pritzker’s order exceeds his emergency authority. Brian Moline talks with Scott Szala. Illinois Newsroom’s Brian Moline spoke with University…
CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced 1,980 new cases of COVID-19 Monday. That brings the state’s total to 45,883. The state saw 50 deaths in the last day, bringing total fatalities to 1,983. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Illinois) also responded to news that an Illinois judge had ruled against the extended stay-at-home…
Due to the suddenness of the coronavirus outbreak, there is a slew of uncertainty surrounding the disease and its effects on society. We’ve received questions from listeners about everything from how the restaurant service should operate to prevent the spread of the virus to COVID-19 recovery efforts to the status of unemployment and stimulus checks….