Democrats

Local pols will have easy access. Travel bureau expects overflow visits from convention goers.

With an eye on tourism and boosting the economy, economic officials and political figures across the spectrum in McHenry County called the news of Chicago hosting the Democratic National Convention in 2024 a win.

McHenry County Board Chair Mike Buehler on Thursday called the indictment against former President Donald Trump “politically motivated,” while the county’s Democratic Party Chair Kristina Zahorik said it’s “justice being served.”

Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, along with three ComEd ex-lobbyists, stands accused of orchestrating a years-long bribery scheme to influence former House Speaker Michael Madigan with jobs and contracts for his allies in exchange for help with the utility’s legislative agenda.

Madigan confidant Mike McClain “had pretty free access” to the offices in Madigan’s suite on the third floor of the state Capitol building in Springfield, according to testimony of Commonwealth Edison's former top attorney.

Jurors in the ComEd bribery case heard 16 more recordings from Mike McClain’s wiretapped phone in 2018 and 2019, along with testimony from one of the FBI agents charged with investigating Madigan as far back as 2014.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan isn’t set to go on trial for racketeering and corruption charges until next summer, but his decades of power in Illinois government and politics loomed large Wednesday as opening arguments got underway in a related case.

Illinois lawmakers’ effort to end cash bail is in the state Supreme Court’s hands after justices heard arguments on behalf of top Democrats, and a group of prosecutors and sheriffs challenging the law.

The anniversary comes roughly two years after Michael Madigan’s fellow Democrats forced him to cede the title of longest-serving speaker of any legislature in U.S. history.

Illinois House Democrats announced the formation of a cannabis working group that will aim to steer the burgeoning industry’s expansion in a business-friendly way while still satisfying the equity goals of the landmark 2019 legalization law.

Animal rights advocates are backing a bill sponsored by State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, that would make it illegal to declaw cats.

A downstate judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of Illinois’ new ban on high-powered semi-automatic weapons for a group of plaintiffs who filed suit earlier this week in Effingham County.

A McHenry County gun shop is among a group of plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of Illinois’ ban on high-powered semiautomatic weapons and large capacity magazines that took effect last week.

A bill that would guarantee a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave per year for all Illinois workers passed both chambers of the General Assembly Tuesday and will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker, who says he will sign it.

Dozens of county sheriffs in Illinois — approximately “80-ish,” per Illinois Sheriffs’ Association head Jim Kaitschuck — say they’ll refuse to enforce a provision of a new ban on high-powered weapons that would require owners of such guns to register them with the state.