Politics
The Politics Section of the Chicago Journal.
Lame-duck Illinois lawmakers vote themselves a 16% raise
Not two years into his role as House Speaker, Chris Welch is facing heavy criticism for his lack of transparency and secretive house actions such as this week's unheard of 16% raise to Illinois legislators during a lame-duck session.
Illinois House OKs weapons ban, on to Senate
Critics argued the legislation is unconstitutional and wouldn't survive a court challenge.
Illinois House approves increased abortion protection
The bill, now headed to the Senate, would prevent the governor from surrendering a person charged by another state if the offenses are based on providing or receiving health care that is lawful in Illinois, even if it is illegal in the other state.
Illinois Supreme Court halts elimination of cash bail
The high court said in Saturday's order that the stay was needed to “maintain consistent pretrial procedures throughout Illinois” as the court prepares to hear arguments on the matter.
Prosecutors file emergency motion to suspend SAFE-T Act statewide until ILSC can rule on pretrial release
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser filed an emergency motion to the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday asking for a statewide suspension of the enforcement of the controversial SAFE-T Act legislation set to go into effect on Sunday.
Critics expect chaos under Illinois bail ban despite ruling
House Republicans on Thursday urged Democrats who approved the plan nearly two years ago to halt and fix the so-called Pretrial Fairness Act that's part of an expansive criminal justice overhaul, after Kankakee County Judge Thomas Cunnington overturned the law.
Kankakee County Judge rules portions of Illinois SAFE-T Act unconstitutional
Illinois' controversial SAFE-T Act was scheduled to go into effect statewide on January 1, 2023, but now will be suspended in the 65 Illinois counties who participated in the consolidated lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration and the other legislative leaders named in the suit.
Illinois judge weighing challenge to SAFE-T Act, law ending cash bail
An Illinois judge said he planned to rule by the end of this month on a lawsuit challenging the state’s landmark SAFE-T Act criminal justice overhaul that includes eliminating the setting of cash bail for those accused of crimes to be released from jail.
Chicago-based election nonprofit that drew GOP ire in 2020 renews grants
The Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life has released only general details about how much money each office will receive but the money comes with almost no restrictions and conservative groups have criticized the private funding of elections.
Illinois Sen. Scott Bennett dies at 45
A state senator since 2015, Bennett died from complications of a large brain tumor, according to his wife Stacy Bennett. She said the family is shocked by the unexpected suddenness of her husband's death.
