January 22, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general has advised the city’s human resources and finance departments that from 2020 through 2024, the city paid $26.5 million in overtime to potentially ineligible employees.

According to the advisory, Chicago paid the overtime to workers in 24 city departments, the elections board, city clerk’s office and city council.

The inspector general’s office said the human resources and finance departments have committed to collaborate and ensure that the city would no longer pay overtime to ineligible employees.

AIRMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

A former airman stationed in Illinois has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child pornography.

The federal charges followed execution of a search warrant at 32-year-old Michael E. McCay’s residence on Scott Air Force Base in February 2023.

Prosecutors say McCay was sexually exploiting at least two minor victims through online applications, including Roblox and Snapchat.

ALEC EDUCATION

The American Legislative Exchange Council has released its annual Index of State Education Freedom.

Illinois ranks 44th out of 50 states, down from 38th one year ago. ALEC gave the Land of Lincoln a D grade, partly due to failing grades for student-centered funding programs and open enrollment.

Top-ranked Florida earned an A+. Iowa ranked 4th overall with an A, and Indiana was 6th with an A-. Kentucky finished below Illinois at #48.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Analysis: Chicago among worst cities to drive in

Analysis: Chicago among worst cities to drive in

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (THE Center Square) – Republican Illinois state Sen. Steve McClure is speeding up the pace in his quest to make...
First lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic by parents of five campers, two counselors

First lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic by parents of five campers, two counselors

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The first lawsuit was filed Monday against Camp Mystic by parents whose daughters were killed on July 4 when a flash flood ripped through two...
Senate votes to reopen government, sending funding bills to House

Senate votes to reopen government, sending funding bills to House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After spending nearly seven weeks in a political deadlock, U.S. senators finally passed legislation to end the record-long government shutdown. Eight senators in the Democratic...
Illinois quick hits: Bailey to stay in governor's race

Illinois quick hits: Bailey to stay in governor’s race

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bailey to stay in governor's race Republican candidate Darren Bailey has decided to stay in the race for Illinois governor. In...
Airlines warn flight reductions could cost U.S. economy

Airlines warn flight reductions could cost U.S. economy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Flight delays and cancelations are frustrating Americans and could be costing the U.S. economy millions of dollars each day, according to a new report from...
Report: Less than half of CPS students performing at grade level

Report: Less than half of CPS students performing at grade level

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute policy analyst Hannah Schmid is sounding the alarm about the state’s dimming prospects...

WATCH: IL comptroller candidates focus on transparency, timely reporting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Transparency is a key talking point for Illinois comptroller candidates. One Republican and five Democrats have filed...
With shutdown ending, debate on Obamacare subsidies to begin

With shutdown ending, debate on Obamacare subsidies to begin

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square As Congress moves to reopen the federal government this week, debate is shifting toward how to pay for the federal health care programs that helped...
Democratic senators under fire explain why they supported GOP bill to end shutdown

Democratic senators under fire explain why they supported GOP bill to end shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After breaking from the rest of the Democratic Caucus to help Republicans advance a deal that would end the government shutdown, the eight U.S. senators...
FDA to remove ‘black box’ warnings on menopausal hormone therapies

FDA to remove ‘black box’ warnings on menopausal hormone therapies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is removing the “black box” warnings from hormone replacement therapy products for menopause, health administration officials announced Monday. A...
Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums

Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has expanded his campaign to regulate auto insurance rates. Giannoulias visited...
Trump demands air traffic controllers return to work

Trump demands air traffic controllers return to work

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After a reduction of up to 10% of flights in and out of the nation’s top airports, causing major travel disruptions, President Donald Trump is...
Analysis: Trump's proposed tariff rebate would cost twice as much as tariffs

Analysis: Trump’s proposed tariff rebate would cost twice as much as tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump has again floated the idea of sending Americans $2,000 from tariff revenue, but a new analysis suggests the import taxes won't bring...
Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge

Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump issued a proclamation providing pardons for a slew of people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential elections, including Rudy Giuliani...
Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge

Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a case challenging state laws that allow ballots to be counted if they are received after...