Ameren monopoly over Illinois transmission lines heads to Pritzker– Illinois Policy Institute
A provision of House Bill 3445 would grant Ameren, the state’s second-largest regulated energy provider after Commonwealth Edison, “right of first refusal” to build, own and operate high voltage transmission lines over about three-quarters of the state.
Pritzker didn't reveal how much more the contract will cost taxpayers. Mailee Smith of the Illinois Policy Institute told The Center Square that taxpayers should be worried about contract costs following approval of Amendment 1 last November.
Mayor Brandon Johnson replaces Chicago Board of Education president and most members ahead of move to elected school board– Chicago Tribune
Jianan Shi said he will step down from Raise Your Hand, which receives funding from the Chicago Teachers Union. The incoming president noted every new Board of Education appointee has Local School Council experience and has been a Chicago Public Schools educator or parent.
Walgreens cutting another 393 jobs in Illinois– Chicago Tribune
Walgreens plans to cut 393 jobs at a Southern Illinois distribution center — a move that follows an announcement just months ago that it planned to eliminate more than 500 corporate positions. Layoffs at the Edwardsville distribution center will be effective Aug. 28.
Chicago’s unfunded pension liability rose by 5.4% in 2022 — from $33.6 billion to $35.4 billion — after stock market losses suffered by the four city employee pension funds. The Firefighters Pension Fund hovers closest to bankruptcy, with assets to cover just 18.8% of liabilities.
The first-ever NASCAR Chicago Street Race is in the books, but Mayor Brandon Johnson says that the evaluation process for the event's future in the city remains ongoing, with an opt-out clause in the three-year contract remaining on the table.
Homicide rates not have changed dramatically in Springfield, Decatur or Champaign, sin the installing the technology. Aggravated assault and battery calls have not significantly dropped either. But Lt. Rosenbury said Decatur Police is getting its money's worth.