Illinois Politics
Pritzker signs amendment to Illinois conscience law
The law was adopted in 1978 and Democrat AG Kwame Raoul asked Pritzker to encourage legislation to make clear the law was not intended to cover a pandemic.
Politics
The Politics Section of the Chicago Journal.
Illinois Politics
Illinois Democrats' attempt to remove "conscience" from vaccine decision faces legal uncertainty
Citing three federal statutes, Democrats claim their action had nothing to do with curtailing religious freedom but constitutional scholars question how accessible those statutes are. The state currently has 11 lawsuits pending.
Chicago Politics
Ex-Illinois House Leader Luis Arroyo pleads guilty to bribery
The so-called blind plea, offered without knowing of the sentence he will receive, could land the 67-year-old Chicago Democrat in prison for 20 years and cost him a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for Feb. 18.
Opinion & Comment
Opinion: The amendment to SB1169 is an immoral power grab using COVID as convenient excuse
A pair of Illinois House Reps from some of the wealthiest districts in the state are out for your conscience. And they're going to take it from you, whether you like it or not.
Illinois Politics
Gov. Pritzker declares gun violence a public health crisis
In addition to the formal declaration, the Pritzker admin is establishing the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention and the Reimagine Public Safety Plan, providing $250 million in state and federal funding towards the initiative.
Chicago Politics
Judge halts Mayor Lightfoot's vaccine deadline for Chicago cops
Disputes over vaccinations should be submitted to an arbitrator as a labor grievance, the CC Judge said. Officers still must be tested twice a week under city policy and officers also can still lose work and pay if they don't disclose their vaccine status.
Chicago Journal
Adam Kinzinger won't seek reelection
Kinzinger announced his decision in a video early Friday, saying the "time is now" to move on.
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."
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
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.
Chicago Politics
Judge denies request to extend Catanzara mandate muzzle
The city argued the union's actions amounted to encouraging a work stoppage while union attorneys said the matter is part of a unfair labor dispute and the vaccine mandate was ordered without union input.
Illinois Politics
Illinois Democrats unveil updated congressional maps
Illinois Democrats unveiled an updated version of their new Congressional map on Saturday and, you guessed it, it's even worse than the first.