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The Latest Breaking News from J.B. Pritzker

Afternoon Edition: March 18, 2022

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times

Text pals: J.B. Pritzker, Cardinal Blase Cupich in close contact amid the pandemic, messages, emails show

The communications offer a rare look at the relationship between Pritzker and Cupich, who privately heaped praise on the governor and worked with him behind the scenes to guide church protocols.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois Tollway boss Jose Alvarez resigns from embattled state agency

His resignation follows the recent departure of tollway board chairman Will Evans, who was in a power struggle with Alvarez since 2019, when they both were hired.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Facing criticism over rising crime, Illinois governor proposes $20 million for witness protection program that’s never been funded

CHICAGO — Facing mounting criticism from Republicans over a rise in violent crime, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed spending $20 million on a long-neglected witness protection program for people whose lives are put in danger by helping law enforcement.

Chicago Tribune

Thompson Center revamp could boost La Salle Street corridor

A developer is plotting his strategy for the state-owned building as others consider how its reuse can benefit the nearby stretch of downtown.

Chicago Sun-Times

Bank that employs new Illinois Tollway chairwoman will decline future bond work from agency

Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed PNC exec Dorothy Abreu last month. PNC — which over a decade has been involved in tollway borrowing deals totaling over $2 billion — will stop work on tollway bonds and other state contracts.

Chicago Sun-Times

Field of dreams? State regulators approve Danville casino, leaving only Chicago still pining for action

Fifteen casinos have been approved in Illinois history, but the 16th — earmarked for Chicago — promises to be the biggest.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Former Illinois speaker pleads not guilty to federal racketeering charges

CHICAGO — In his nearly four decades atop Illinois’ political power structure, former House Speaker Michael Madigan was well-known for his aversion to talking on the phone.

Chicago Tribune

Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan, once the most powerful politician in Illinois, to be arraigned Wednesday on federal racketeering charges

CHICAGO — A little over a year ago, Michael Madigan was still clinging to his spot at the apex of the Illinois political power structure, the longest-serving House leader in the nation’s history, head of the Illinois Democratic Party, and controller of all the spoils that went with it.

Chicago Tribune

No walk of shame for Michael Madigan as his lawyers say ‘not guilty’ by phone — and he stays silent

Madigan’s arraignment came two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the federal courts along with the rest of daily life. It also largely put a halt to a ritual faced by scores of politicians before Madigan: The stroll through the lobby of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse…

Chicago Sun-Times

Pritzker freezes state funding for Madigan-sponsored Rebuild Illinois projects

Nine Democratic legislators had asked the governor for the freeze, citing an investigation by the Better Government Association published by the Sun-Times in January.

Chicago Sun-Times

Campaign 2022 kicks off with ‘camaraderie,’ coffee and catcalls — as candidates line up to get on the ballot

It was the first day of the weeklong period for candidates to file their nominating petitions for federal, state and local offices on the June primary ballot. The Illinois State Board of Elections headquarters didn’t open until 8 a.m. But that didn’t stop candidates and staffers from gathering…

Chicago Sun-Times

Michael Madigan’s indictment adds corruption to crime and COVID as election-year issues for Democrats

The swagger that Illinois’ Democrats have displayed since taking full control of Springfield three years ago had already been tamped down by the political realities of confronting crime and COVID when corruption reared up as one more daunting campaign issue heading into this year’s elections.

Chicago Tribune

Illinois COVID-19 free fall still on as masks come off

Average daily cases fell 20% statewide in the days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker lifted the indoor mask mandate.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago Sun-Times

Madigan’s Chinatown ‘scheme’

Since the former Illinois House speaker was indicted under a law that’s been used to go after mob bosses, the charges involving ComEd have gotten the most attention. But there’s another big piece of the case.

Chicago Sun-Times

Former Rauner challenger Jeanne Ives backs Darren Bailey for governor, taking jabs at primary rival Richard Irvin

Former state Rep. Jeanne Ives, who ran against former Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Republican primary in 2018, endorsed Darren Bailey for “his courage and experience” and warned rivals Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne “cannot be trusted.”

Chicago Tribune

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan indicted on federal racketeering charges

CHICAGO — Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, for decades the most powerful politician in the state, was indicted Wednesday on federal racketeering charges alleging his elected office and political operation were a criminal enterprise that provided personal financial rewards for him and his associates.

Chicago Sun-Times

Pritzker, Lightfoot, Durkin, other Democrats and Republicans weigh in on Madigan indictment

Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the allegations “a stark violation of the public’s trust” and said “Michael Madigan must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” But House Republican Leader Jim Durkin argued it’s “not just an indictment against Michael Madigan. It’s an indictment against…

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Chicago Sun-Times

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan indicted in political corruption probe

Madigan is now one of the most significant politicians in Illinois history ever to face criminal charges, despite having left office more than a year ago.

Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois House Democrats oust three bare-faced Republicans for violating masking rules

Despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker lifting the mask mandate for most public settings, Illinois House Democrats are sticking to rules requiring face coverings in their chamber. One maskless Republican insisted, “It’s time to stand up for sanity in here.” But Democrats accused unmasked colleagues of throwing…

Chicago Sun-Times

Afternoon Edition: March 1, 2022

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times

Pritzker’s public health chief Dr. Ngozi Ezike stepping down: ‘She saved lives, many, many thousands of lives’

As she prepared to leave the public stage on March 14, the state’s top doctor spoke of serving as a key adviser, calm leader, comforting voice — and “a role model to young girls, girls of color, little Black girls, that they can be leaders in any field.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Summer in the city? COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations — and masking — looking more like July than February

"Things seem to be pretty good. Hospitalizations are way down. Cases are way down, and we hope we can sustain that through the spring and the summer and frankly, forevermore," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at Navy Pier. "I am so excited that we now have no indoor mask mandate, that…

Chicago Sun-Times

Maskless Monday no reason to celebrate, some say

A coalition of community groups, public health advocates and parents of Chicago Public School students accused Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker of caving to political pressure to lift the mandates — and putting Black and Brown lives in danger in the process.

Chicago Sun-Times

Billionaire Ken Griffin hits Pritzker hard on crime, but his firms have millions invested in gun and ammunition makers, records show

Griffin’s hedge fund and market-maker firm reported more than $86 million in investments and holdings in such companies as of December. A company spokesman says Griffin doesn’t choose Citadel’s stock holdings.

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