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

Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Sullivan Holds Off Late Casey-Westfield Rally to Secure 5-4 Victory

The Sullivan varsity baseball team built a comfortable early lead and withstood a late-inning surge to edge out non-conference visitor Casey-Westfield 5-4 on Saturday afternoon. After commanding the first five...
Clark County Graphic.6

Darin Patrick Appointed to Clark County Board Following Passing of Jim Bolin

Clark County Board Meeting | February 20, 2026 Article Summary: Darin Patrick was officially sworn in to represent District 3 on the Clark County Board, filling a vacancy left by...
Casey Westfield Track and Field Graphic

Casey-Westfield Track Teams Sweep Titles with Dominant Showings at Stewardson-Strasburg

The Casey-Westfield track and field program put on a masterclass of consistency on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as both the boys' and girls' teams marched to commanding first-place finishes at...
Martinsville School Board Graphic.4

Martinsville School Board Approves Sweeping ‘Press Plus’ Policy Revisions, Seeks Lawn Care Bids

Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education Meeting | February 23, 2026 Article Summary: Dozens of district policies were formally updated by the Martinsville Board of Education on Monday, overhauling local...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Explodes for Seven Runs in Sixth Inning to Defeat Waltonville 8-2

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team orchestrated a decisive late-game rally on Thursday, erupting for seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure an 8-2 home victory over...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Teutopolis Cruises Past Casey-Westfield 10-0 Behind Massive Second Inning

The Teutopolis varsity baseball team continued its dominant start to the 2026 season on Thursday afternoon, cruising to a 10-0 non-conference victory over visiting Casey-Westfield in a five-inning contest. Backed...
Casey Westfield School Board.1

High School Career and Technical Students Earn Industry Certifications, Cater Regional Tournament

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: Casey-Westfield High School's Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and Industrial Arts students are translating classroom lessons into real-world professional credentials...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Clark County Board Hears Proposals for 10,000-Acre Wind Farm, Community Solar Projects

Clark County Board Meeting | February 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Clark County Board received comprehensive updates on the county’s expanding renewable energy landscape, highlighted by a proposal from Repsol...
casey fire protection district graphic.3

Casey Fire District Evaluates Half-Million Dollar Pumper Truck, Seeks Grant Writing Assistance

Casey Fire Protection District Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: The Casey Fire Protection District is exploring a major capital investment after viewing a demonstration of a new 2,100-gallon pumper...
Martinsville School Graphic.1

Martinsville Board of Education Renews 8-Man Football Program, Adopts Cardiac Emergency Plan

Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education Meeting | February 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Martinsville Community Unit School District #C-3 Board of Education approved the continuation of its 8-man football...
White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE

White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House called on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday to cooperate with immigration enforcement, after the killing of a student in Chicago. White...
DHS pushes back on Minnesota lawsuit over Metro Surge shootings

DHS pushes back on Minnesota lawsuit over Metro Surge shootings

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is defending federal agents’ actions in three Minnesota shootings while pushing back on claims of “unprecedented noncooperation” raised in...
Supreme Court reverses $1B copyright lawsuit

Supreme Court reverses $1B copyright lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Wednesday, ruled that an internet service provider is not liable in damages when its users unlawfully...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against automatic prison release punishments

U.S. Supreme Court rules against automatic prison release punishments

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, decided an individual on supervised release is not automatically extended when that person absconds from their release....
State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As his agency works to correct compliance findings by the state’s auditor general, Illinois State Police Director...