Illinois Quick Hits: Mayors to visit capitol urge protection of local funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reverse his proposed budget cut to local governments.

The mayors say Pritzker’s plan to reduce the Local Government Distributive Fund from 6.47% to 6.23% represents an estimated $60 million loss to local governments statewide.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit Jr. and several other mayors plan to join state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, for a press conference on the issue at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday.

OIG LISTENING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS BUDGET, TAX AND DEBT ISSUES

The Chicago Office of Inspector General says residents want to see more clarity in the budget process, especially when it comes to taxes and accrued debt.

Interim Inspector General Tobara Richardson said public safety and city and aldermanic leadership also emerged as recurring themes in the OIG’s recent outreach effort to gather open-ended input.

Chicagoans are invited to share concerns and ideas to improve city government year round by emailing talk2ig@igcihcago, calling 833-TALK-2-IG (833-825-5244) or filling out an online intake form, at igchicago.org.

SEVENTH DEFENDANT CHARGED IN WINNETKA HOME INVASION

A seventh defendant has been charged with robbery and kidnapping after an alleged home invasion in Winnetka on March 8. Prosecutors say Tyrese Fenton-Watson, 23, of Chicago and six other men forcibly entered the residence, used firearms to keep an individual captive for about an hour, and demanded access to a safe and access to online accounts holding cryptocurrency.

All seven defendants have been ordered to remain detained in federal custody without bond.