Latest news with #ex-Illinois
Chicago Tribune
01-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Gov. JB Pritzker selects former deputy governor Christian Mitchell as running mate
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday morning he has chosen Christian Mitchell, a former top aide to the governor and an ex-Illinois lawmaker, as his running mate for lieutenant governor as Pritzker embarks on his third term as the state's chief executive. In a short video put out by Pritzker's campaign, Mitchell reflected on his influences on why he got into politics, including his mother, who he said was a nurse for 38 years at Rush University Medical Center, and his grandfather 'who stepped in and filled the void for me' and was a U.S. Army sergeant and a union steelworker. 'They both taught me what it was like to care about your family and work really hard, how you continue to move forward in difficult times,' Mitchell said. 'That's why I wanted to go into public service, because as difficult as life can be, I believe it can be a little bit easier if you've got leaders in government who care about working families, making life more affordable, making healthcare more accessible.' An Illinois lawmaker who represented parts of Chicago's South Side from 2013 to 2019, Mitchell, who is Black, served as a deputy governor in the Pritzker administration from 2019 to 2023 where he was a lead strategist on energy issues, including the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The landmark legislation called for the state to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy over the next 25 years. Since 2023, he's worked at the University of Chicago, overseeing government relations and other offices, and he was appointed by Pritzker last year to the board of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier. During the 2018 election cycle, Mitchell also served as the executive director of the Illinois Democratic Party, becoming the first African-American to hold the position. 'As a state representative, as the deputy governor of this state, Christian Mitchell has gotten so much done for people,' Pritzker said in the video. 'And I know when we've got to take on (Republican President) Donald Trump and overcome the challenges he's bringing to our state, that Christian Mitchell is up for that fight.' Lieutenant governors in Illinois are constitutional officers with few constitutionally ordained duties, the most important of which is to take over for a governor who is incapacitated, deceased, quits or is removed from office.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Daywatch: Not your grandparents' City Council
Good morning, Chicago. When Ald. Scott Waguespack started his City Council career as an opponent of Mayor Richard M. Daley, it was mostly at the wrong end of a bunch of lopsided votes. But his days as one of five aldermen who said no to Daley's infamous parking meter deal or a quixotic early thorn to Mayor Rahm Emanuel are long gone. Now, when the Northwest Side alderman butts heads with Mayor Brandon Johnson, he is often one of many across a relatively broad political spectrum, and sometimes he even gets his way. 'You see more accountability and more responsibility that's shared now than in the past,' he said. 'I think you're seeing people kind of trust in each other.' It's a sea change that grew under Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and is gaining momentum in City Hall with Johnson: The City Council, long derided as a mayoral puppet, is increasingly operating independent of the fifth floor. The shift follows the demise of Chicago's infamous machine politics. It also tracks with the ascension of the aldermanic Progressive Caucus and the 'Common Sense Caucus' formed in part to oppose it, both shifting groups that bring more ideological force into debates. Read the full story from the Tribune's Jake Sheridan. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the never-built migrant tent encampment the state agreed to pay $1.3 million for, what's next on the docket for former House Speaker Michael Madigan after he was denied a motion for a new trial and our picks for where to go in Chicago for Father's Day. Today's eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Another 2,000 National Guard troops along with 700 Marines are headed to Los Angeles on orders from President Donald Trump, escalating a military presence local officials and Gov. Gavin Newsom don't want and the police chief says creates logistical challenges for safely handling protests. Editorial: MAGA morphs into Make America Cruel Again Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. yesterday removed every member of a scientific committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to use vaccines and pledged to replace them with his own picks. Used in COVID shots, mRNA may help rid the body of HIV Despite assurances from Gov. JB Pritzker that state taxpayers would not end up footing the bill for a migrant tent encampment in Chicago that was never built, the state recently agreed to pay $1.3 million to the project's contractor. A federal judge yesterday denied a motion by former House Speaker Michael Madigan seeking to overturn his recent conviction on bribery and other corruption counts, setting the stage for a high-stakes sentencing hearing later this week. Michael Madigan, ComEd and corruption: How the investigation into the ex-Illinois Speaker unfolded Speaking from the witness stand nearly a decade after her 7-year-old son was shot and killed, Amber Hailey said every court date has tested her resolve. Her son, Amari Brown, was gunned down on the Fourth of July in 2015 in an act of violence that spurred national news coverage and calls for change. Those calls heightened just months later after the targeted killing of another child, 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee. 'Amari was an innocent child who had his whole life ahead of him,' Hailey said, breaking down in tears. 'He had his dreams, aspirations.' The nascent sports network finally joined the Comcast lineup Friday, but on the higher-priced Ultimate tier, which costs an additional $20 per month, on top of the $20.25 regional sports network fee charged to Chicago-area subscribers each month. In the wake of the deal, CHSN abruptly pulled the plug on local TV affiliates in Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, and Fort Wayne and South Bend, Indiana. The Indianapolis Colts are moving forward with the late Jim Irsay's transition plan for ownership, which calls for his three daughters to take charge of the club. The team said that Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson each would continue to hold the title of owner, which they have done since 2012 when they were named vice chairs. Irsay-Gordon is now CEO, and Foyt is executive vice president. Jackson will be chief brand officer. Southern Baptists meeting this week in Dallas will be asked to approve resolutions calling for a legal ban on pornography and a reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's approval of same-sex marriage. The proposed resolutions call for laws on gender, marriage and family based on what they say is the biblically stated order of divine creation. They also call for legislators to curtail sports betting and to support policies that promote childbearing. Most big collections have only a fraction of their items on display, with the rest locked away in storage. But not at the new V&A East Storehouse, where London's Victoria and Albert Museum has opened up its storerooms for visitors to view — and in many cases touch — the items within. Anyone can book a one-on-one appointment with any object, from a Vivienne Westwood mohair sweater to a tiny Japanese netsuke figurine. Most of the items can even be handled, with exceptions for hazardous materials, such as Victorian wallpaper that contains arsenic. While Mother's Day celebrations traditionally involve breakfast in bed or brunches with free-flowing mimosas plus gifts of flowers, it can be a little harder to figure out what to do for Father's Day. Luckily, local bars and restaurants are making planning easier by offering a wide range of events and specials with an emphasis on big steaks, beer and whiskey. Whether you think your dad would love a multi-course dinner with plenty of time to talk or to show off his skills in a putting competition, these 39 spots make it easy to enjoy some quality time together.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan's attorneys ask for no prison time for bribery conviction
The Brief Lawyers for ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan are asking that he not be sent to prison for his bribery conviction. Federal prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of more than 12 years and a $15 million fine. Earlier this year, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including bribery and wire fraud. CHICAGO - Attorneys for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are asking that he not be given a prison sentence after he was convicted of bribery and conspiracy earlier this year. What we know Federal prosecutors have already called for sentencing Madigan to more than 12 years in prison, which his lawyers called "draconian," in a new court filing. Madigan's attorneys argued it would essentially be a life sentence for the 83-year-old. Instead, they're asking that Madigan be sentenced to five years' probation, including one year of home detention, community service, and a "reasonable" fine. Prosecutors said they're also seeking a $15 million fine from Madigan. "Madigan was in a special position of trust and responsibility to the public. Yet he deprived all residents of Illinois of honest government and eroded the public's trust," prosecutors wrote in their memo." Earlier this year, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including bribery and wire fraud. The former speaker, arguably the most powerful politician in Illinois at one point, was accused of using his role leading the state House and heading the state Democratic Party to enrich himself and his allies by securing jobs, contracts, and other financial benefits. What's next Madigan's sentencing is scheduled for this Friday.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bill aimed at helping Illinois farmers control deer populations heads to Pritzker's desk
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Legislation aimed at making it easier for residents to obtain a hunting permit — and to help control the deer population — has passed both the Illinois Senate and House, and is headed towards the governor's desk. Under Senate Bill 710, IDNR would implement new rules for the Deer Removal Permit. Landowners would be allowed to let other individuals 'destroy' deer responsible for damage under a permit given to the landowner. Legislature bumps right up against midnight deadline as they pass $55 billion budget And, landowner deer and turkey permits could be given for free to an Illinois resident that owns at least 40 acres of Illinois land and that wishes to hunt on their own land. Tenant deer and turkey permits could be given for free to Illinois residents that are living on at least 40 acres of commercial agricultural land, wishing to hunt on land they live on. The legislation would also allow for permits to automatically be issued, specifically for those who have effectively reduced the deer population, and other certain conditions. You can read more about those conditions here. Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan said this legislation will help farmers and address costly damage from deer. Prosecutors recommend 12.5 years in prison for ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan 'Illinois farmers know all too well the costly damage nuisance deer can cause to crops and farmland,' Duncan said. 'This legislation will provide farmers with effective tools to help manage deer populations and protect farmland across the state. We thank Sen. Patrick Joyce and Rep. Marcus Evans for championing legislation that provides these practical tools, as well as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources [IDNR] for their efforts.' If Governor JB Pritzker signs Senate Bill 710 into law, it would be effective Jan. 1, 2026. You can read more about the legislation here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump's clemency spree extends to ex-gangster, artist, former congressmen
Since reclaiming the White House, Trump has deployed pardons in a wide-reaching campaign to recalibrate a justice system he calls corrupt and says politically persecuted him. Some of those pardoned were convicted of crimes similar to charges brought against him or his family business. Others repeatedly flexed their loyalty to his administration in public, hoping to stand out among the thousands of petitioners vying for his attention. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Trump pardoned a former US Army officer found guilty of refusing to follow coronavirus safety measures, a couple who admitted to knowingly employing a felon at their insurance company, and a popular hip-hop artist, NBA YoungBoy, who was convicted of gun charges, in addition to commuting the sentence of former Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover. Advertisement The pardons of former congressmen Michael Grimm of New York and John Rowland of Connecticut, who became the state's governor, brought the number of former Republican members of Congress Trump has pardoned while in office to nine. During his first term, Trump also commuted sentences of former Democratic elected officials, including ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was found guilty of trying to sell a US Senate seat, and the ex-mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick, who was sentenced to 28 years in prison for crimes including fraud and racketeering. He granted Blagojevich a full pardon in February. Advertisement Grimm, who served seven months in prison for tax fraud and was released in 2016, gained national attention after being caught on camera threatening a reporter who asked about the federal investigation, saying, 'I'll break you in half. Like a boy.' He has expressed steady public support for the Trump administration in posts to social media, including one of himself in August beside a horse wearing a 'Trump 2024' hat. Neither Grimm nor his attorney responded to requests for comment. Rowland, who served as Connecticut's governor from 1995 to 2004, was twice convicted on corruption-related charges: once for accepting illegal gifts and improvements to his private home from state contractors while he was governor, and then for violating campaign finance laws. 'I am very humbled and deeply appreciative,' Rowland said in a statement to Eyewitness News on Wednesday. 'I have been blessed with a wonderful family and friends that have been through a great deal over the years. This is a wonderful final resolution.' Hoover, whose clemency was first reported by Notus, was convicted in 1997 of conspiracy, extortion, money laundering, and running Chicago's Gangster Disciples — the culmination of a 17-year investigation into the criminal organization. At that time, he was already serving a 200-year sentence for killing a neighborhood drug dealer. Advertisement He later renounced the gang and requested a shorter sentence under the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice bill passed during Trump's first term. In a celebratory post to X, a lawyer for Hoover, Justin Moore, called on the state of Illinois to drop Hoover's murder charges, which would keep him behind bars despite the president's commutation. NBA YoungBoy, whose name is Kentrell Gaulden, was involved in a still-unresolved shootout outside the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., in 2019 that left a man dead. His Louisiana attorney told the Miami Herald that the rapper — who offered to pay for the slain man's funeral — was the target of an assassination attempt. Earlier this week, Trump announced that he planned to pardon reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were found guilty of fraud and tax evasion, and a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted of taking cash bribes in exchange for appointing deputy sheriffs without training or vetting. He signed the Chrisleys' legal documents Wednesday. The Chrisleys' daughter was a speaker at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where she said Democrats 'consistently punish their enemies' and praised Trump as the man best equipped to expose what she called their corruption. Addressing reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he is considering additional pardons for the men convicted in the kidnapping plot against Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. 'I will take a look at it. It's been brought to my attention,' Trump said. 'I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job.' Among his first officials acts as president was to pardon virtually all of the nearly 1,600 defendants convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters and to commute the sentences of the remaining 14. Weeks earlier, former President Joe Biden had issued preemptive pardons to his siblings and their spouses, saying he feared they would be targeted for political reasons by the new administration. Advertisement Biden also issued unprecedented preemptive pardons for others he said needed protection: retired General Mark A. Milley, a vocal critic of Trump; Anthony S. Fauci, who spearheaded the country's pandemic response; members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack; and police officers who testified before the committee. This week's clemency spree landed as Ed Martin, a staunch defender of Jan. 6 defendants who fell short as Trump's pick to lead the U.S. attorney's office in D.C., which oversaw those prosecutions, was ceremonially sworn in as the Justice Department's pardons attorney. 'Freedom for Captives!' he wrote on X.
