McLean County Times

Former Speaker Mike Madigan’s Chief of Staff, Tim Mapes, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for making false declarations before a grand jury and obstruction of justice. Mapes was held accountable for his wrongful attempt to guard the corrupt ways of Mike Madigan. As House Republicans have pushed for tighter ethics laws, one of the recently filed bills, HB 4119, aims to prevent defendants from using campaign contributions for their legal defense, highlighting the need for ethics reform.

In addition to Mapes, federal prosecutors in Chicago secured several convictions in 2023, including former Commonwealth Edison employees, businessman James T. Weiss, and former Chicago Democratic Alderman Edward Burke, emphasizing the prevalence of corruption cases in the region.

Governor Pritzker is set to deliver the Budget/State of the State Address next week, addressing the financial challenges faced by Illinois in the upcoming fiscal year. With the state budget already straining against revenue limits, the Governor's address will focus on maintaining fiscal responsibility and avoiding new spending programs for FY25.

Gun rights advocates in Illinois have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the state's gun ban law, expressing confidence in the protection granted by the Second Amendment. Petitions filed this week seek to overturn previous court decisions upholding the ban and request its elimination.

State and local officials, including Governor Pritzker and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, have announced plans to allocate an additional $250 million in funds to address Chicago's migrant crisis. With a projected need of $321 million to sustain operations through the end of 2024, the joint funding initiative aims to provide essential aid to manage the ongoing crisis effectively.

As tax filing time approaches, Illinois residents are gearing up to file their 2023 State income tax returns. The Illinois Department of Revenue is collaborating with other entities to assist taxpayers in accurately completing and filing their returns, with Tax Day set for Monday, April 15, 2024.

In lighter news, Metamora Grade School Boys Basketball achieved back-to-back State Championships, and on Monday, Americans will commemorate Presidents Day to honor the leaders of the nation and reflect on the founding values of the country.