(SPRINGFIELD) A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court about a federal bribery statute is expected to impact the high profile trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Charged with over 22 counts of corruption in 2022, the Chicago Democrat is accused of using his position as House Speaker to steer contracts and no-show jobs from utility giant Commonwealth Edison to his associates in exchange for legislation favorable to the utility company. Madigan was scheduled to on trial earlier this spring in April, but due to the high Court taking up the bribery conviction challenge, the judge postponed the trial to October.
(CHICAGO/SPRINGFIELD) With the number of statewide carjackings increasing and the fact that Chicago is reporting more incidents than any other city in the nation, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office yesterday announced more than $11 million in new grants to police agencies around the state. The Illinois State Police says it will use the funds to buy needed technology to cut down on vehicle crimes, plus increase aerial surveillance and other ways to monitor and track stolen vehicles. In statistics released from 2019 to 2022, the return on investment for stolen vehicle recovery is $4 for every $1 spend on grant funding.
(CHICAGO) Governor J.B. Pritzker was in Chicago yesterday to speak about a statewide initiative that’s aimed at ending the HIV epidemic in Illinois within the next decade. The “Getting to Zero Illinois” program was launched in 2019, with a goal of having no new HIV cases by the year 2030. It’s also part of a larger movement seeking to make those living with HIV have access to care and to dismantle stigmas associated with HIV and AIDS.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Transportation has introduced new photo enforcement vehicles in an effort to crack down on speeding in construction work zones. IDOT says there are currently five vans around the state being used, which are clearly marked that designate them as speed photo enforcement vehicles to catch those speeding.