State Representative Dan Ugaste (IL) | Representative Dan Ugaste (R) 65th District
State Representative Dan Ugaste (IL) | Representative Dan Ugaste (R) 65th District
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is currently on trial in Chicago, facing 23 felony charges including racketeering, bribery, wire fraud, and extortion. The trial is expected to last 11 weeks and will include nearly 200 wiretapped audio and video recordings as evidence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker stated, "This is a case about corruption at the highest level of state government."
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has been advocating for ethics reform in the Illinois House but reports that no significant measures have been passed since she was elected in 2017. McCombie emphasized the urgency of action: “We have not passed any ethics legislation this General Assembly and I would argue any significant ethics reform since I was elected in 2017,” she said.
Madigan's longtime aide, Will Cousineau, testified against him, stating that Madigan was the “ultimate decision maker” in the House. Cousineau's testimony comes amidst federal prosecutors presenting evidence of regular communication between Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain.
In another development in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed a $300 million property tax increase as part of his Year 2025 budget totaling $17.3 billion. This proposal contradicts a pledge he made during his election campaign.
The Illinois State Board of Education released its 2024 Report Card reflecting data from the 2023-2024 school year. The report highlights improvements in English proficiency levels and graduation rates but notes ongoing concerns with math proficiency levels.
PepsiCo recently closed its South Side plant in Chicago without prior warning to employees, affecting 79 workers. The company cited "physical limitations" related to production processes as the reason for the shutdown.
At Sangamon County Jail, a correctional officer was hospitalized after exposure to fentanyl during an incident involving contraband found on detainee Samantha Witty. The officer received treatment and was released from the hospital.
Sangamon County officials have previously warned about rising fentanyl overdoses, with overdose deaths increasing significantly over the past decade according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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