News from Around the State
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois schools could go without state funding as a new front in the fight between the Republican governor and majority Democrats threatens money for roughly 850 districts. It’s just the latest man-made crisis to hit Springfield. This month lawmakers voted to override Rauner’s veto and end a state budget impasse that stretched into a third year. Democrats for nearly two months have held off on sending a funding bill to GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner because he’s pledged to strip money for Chicago Public Schools that he has declared a “bailout.” If the two sides can’t reach an agreement, some poorer districts worry they won’t be able to keep the school doors open into fall. Legislators return to Springfield Friday, but no movement is expected until at least Monday.
CHICAGO (AP) — Thirteen people are facing federal charges for their roles in what agents describe as a major trafficking operation to distribute cocaine, heroin and fentanyl in and near Chicago. A Thursday statement from the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago says five suspects were arrested Wednesday and five others in May. Three are fugitives. A two-year investigation targeted the operation on Chicago’s Northwest Side and in suburbs west of the city. Prosecutors say one of the many drug transactions occurred at a gas station in Aurora where five kilograms of fentanyl changed hands. The complaint says the government’s evidence includes wiretap recordings during which dealers discussed their transactions. The investigation was part of a partnership between federal, state and local agencies aimed at dismantling major drug and weapons trafficking operations.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A former lobbyist for an Illinois teachers union has lost his battle to retain an enhanced pension benefit obtained through a 2007 law. The law allowed him to count past years as a union employee toward a teacher pension. Sangamon County Judge Ryan Cadagin this week determined the provision in the law that benefited retired Illinois Federation of Teachers lobbyist David Piccioli represented “unconstitutional special legislation.” The legislation allowed union officials to get into the teacher pension fund and count previous years as union workers if they obtained teaching certificates. They had to do classroom work before the legislation was signed into law. Piccioli substitute taught for one day. The Chicago Tribune reports had his effort to get a teacher’s pension been successful Piccioli could have boosted his annual pension from the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System from more than $31,000 to an estimated $67,000.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The state of Illinois says it’s suspending the operation of all amusement rides similar to the one involved in a deadly accident at the Ohio State Fair. Amusement rides remained closed at the Ohio fair Thursday, a day after a man was killed and seven other people were injured when a ride broke apart and flung people into the air. The Illinois Department of Labor said Thursday that it was suspending all similar rides until further notice. State officials say that includes three Fire Ball rides, eight Freak Out rides and one Extreme ride in Illinois. The suspension affects one Freak Out ride at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, which starts Aug. 10. The department made the move as many festivals and county fairs are scheduled across Illinois.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Roman Catholics are preparing to see a new leader formally take charge for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Archbishop-designate Charles Thompson is to be installed during a Mass on Friday afternoon at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Thompson has been bishop of the Evansville, Indiana, diocese since 2011 and replaces Cardinal Joseph Tobin, who became the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, in January. Pope Francis named the 56-year-old Thompson last month to the Indianapolis position, where he will lead about 225,000 Catholics across 39 counties in central and southern Indiana. Thompson previously was a priest and the second-ranking administrator for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky. Church dignitaries expected to attend include Tobin, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich (blayz SOO’-pich) and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the pope’s ambassador to the United States.