Politics
Adam Kinzinger won't seek reelection
Kinzinger announced his decision in a video early Friday, saying the "time is now" to move on.
Chicago Journal
The Chicago Journal is a general interest, digital publication focused on the political, cultural, and economic issues relevant to the city of Chicago and the surrounding metro area.
Illinois Politics
Illinois Dems ignore promises and embrace gerrymandering, approve controversial maps
The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, a nonpartisan group that evaluates maps, gave Illinois' maps an "F" grade, saying they give Democrats a significant advantage and are "very uncompetitive."
Chicagoland News
Ex-Gary officer indicted for allegedly using excessive force
Peck, who is the past president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 61 in Gary, was fired nearly a year ago by the Gary Police Civil Service Commission following a disciplinary complaint filed in connection with his alleged assault of Rasaan Hamilton, records show.
Illinois Politics
Bill would remove 'conscience' as basis for refusing vaccine
The Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act states that Illinois will respect and protect the right of conscience of all persons who refuse to obtain, receive, or accept medical care as well as those providing it. Illinois Democrats are trying to "carve-out" an exception to that for COVID.
Crime
Man charged with murder in death of Illinois police officer
Timmins joined the Pontoon Beach police force in April 2020, He was a police officer in Madison County for 14 years and previously served as a police officer in Roxana, Wordon, and Hartford.
Chicago Journal
City council OKs $16.7B budget, 30% increase in spending
Included in the budget is a 30% increase in spending on an array of programs using an infusion of federal funds.
Chicago Journal
Suburban Northbrook tech executive guilty of illegally exporting computer equipment to Pakistan Government
From 2006 to 2015 he conspired with his company’s employees in Pakistan to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by exporting computer equipment from the U.S. to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and a research institute that trained the agency’s engineers and scientists.
Chicago Journal
Rockford man faces life in prison, convicted of 2015 violent crime spree
Rickey Claybron and his co-conspirators were convicted of a series of violent retail robberies that occurred in Rockford from October through November of 2015.
Chicago Journal
UAW member hit, killed by car near John Deere picket line
The man was struck at about 6 a.m. CDT at an intersection near a road that leads to the John Deere Parts Distribution Center in Milan, Illinois, Police Chief Shawn Johnson said.
Chicago Journal
Update: Boy shot while trying to steal XBox in online meetup sale has died, brother charged
We had previously reported the boy was 15-years-old, but authorities now say the boy was 14-years-old. His 19-year-old brother, Oscar Alvarez, Jr., has been charged.
Chicago Journal
Illinois Senate OKs repealing abortion parental notification
Despite support from nearly three-quarters of Illinoisans in favor of parental notification of under-18 abortion, Illinois Senate Democrats moved forward with a proposal to repeal the law requiring parental notification of an abortion under 18 years old.
Law
Judge sets final ground rules for Rittenhouse trial evidence
The hearing was likely the last before Rittenhouse goes on trial Nov. 1 for the shootings during chaotic demonstrations in Kenosha on Aug. 25, 2020.