Kane County Reporter

The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan is underway, with prosecutors presenting secret recordings that challenge the defense's claim of his ignorance regarding actions taken by others on his behalf. These recordings suggest a close relationship between Madigan and Michael McClain, who allegedly performed tasks for Madigan after retiring as a lobbyist in 2016.

"This is no longer me talking," McClain stated in one recording from 2018. "I'm an agent." Prosecutors argue this supports their claim that Madigan led a criminal enterprise to enhance his political power and benefit his allies, undermining defense arguments that Madigan was unaware of others' actions.

Former state Rep. Lou Lang testified about interactions with McClain, who told him to resign from the General Assembly following allegations against Lang amid #MeToo scandals. Lang said he understood McClain to be a messenger for Madigan.

In response to Chicago's push for a progressive tax hike, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie criticized Democrats' approach: "The default position for Democrats is to raise taxes."

In Champaign County, Trooper Corey Thompsen was killed on duty when struck by a truck driven by unlicensed driver Helen Torres. Authorities are investigating the incident, which may lead to criminal charges.

California's proposal to provide housing assistance to undocumented immigrants has sparked debate over whether Illinois will follow suit. State Representatives C.D. Davidsmeyer and Mike Coffey oppose current policies they say burden taxpayers: "Illinois Democrats 'sanctuary state' policies are a huge burden on the people of Illinois," Davidsmeyer remarked.

Meanwhile, Illinois unemployment remained at 5.3% in September, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state's rate is higher than the national average of 4.1%.

As Halloween approaches, safety remains a priority due to increased risks such as pedestrian accidents and injuries related to holiday activities.