illinois
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lllinois Becomes First State to End Cash Bail After Governor Signs Historic Criminal Reform Measure Into Law
Illinois on Monday became the first state to eliminate cash bail, the system under which people are kept in jail without being convicted of a crime—simply because they cannot afford to pay bail. Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a bill recently passed in the Illinois legislature to end the practice across Illinois by 2023,…
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Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools Reach Agreement for Return to In-Person Learning
Following weeks of negotiations between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, an agreement has been ratified for a return to in-person learning. CNN reports that 13,681 members voted yes and 6,585 voted no on the framework for returning to in-person learning. The agreement will see a staggered return to in-person schooling. K-5th grade…
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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Pushing Teachers to Return to In-Person Learning This Week
There is currently a heated debate going on between Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) over when to return to in-person learning. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot favors teachers returning sooner rather than later as she requested in-person learning to restart this week. According to CBS News, Lightfoot was joined by Chicago…
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Illinois' Rep. Emanuel 'Chris' Welch Is the State's First Black Speaker of the House, but Past Allegations Cast a Shadow
The state of Illinois can boast of being the home of many well-known Black politicians who made history—Harold Washington (Chicago’s first Black mayor) current mayor Lori Lightfoot (the city’s first who is a Black woman and openly gay), and former President Barack Obama. On Wednesday, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch ushered in another groundbreaking moment…