Sangamon Sun

Mike McClain, a former close associate of Michael J. Madigan, presented his "magic lobbyist list" to jurors during the Madigan criminal trial. Both McClain and Madigan are facing charges related to influence peddling in federal court in Chicago. Allegations include that they placed allies into leadership positions at key Illinois entities like ComEd. Juan Ochoa, a former ComEd board member, testified about how he secured his position through Madigan's influence.

Emails from McClain’s office were shown in court, revealing his claims of significant influence despite no longer frequenting the State Capitol halls. These emails contained a "magic lobbyist list," detailing influencers associated with McClain and Madigan who could allegedly sway legislative processes in Illinois.

The Illinois General Assembly concluded its veto session with little legislative action. House Republicans, led by Tony McCombie, criticized the Democratic majority for postponing controversial proposals to the January lame-duck session. McCombie stated that bipartisan legislation should focus on issues important to Illinois families.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has appealed a federal ruling that struck down the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which aimed to ban certain firearms and ammunition supplies in Illinois. The decision was deemed unconstitutional by Judge Stephen McGlynn, citing Second Amendment rights. Raoul seeks to stay the ruling while appealing it.

Illinois' unemployment rate remained at 5.3% in October 2024, according to preliminary figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). This rate is higher than the national average of 4.1%. Job growth has stalled post-COVID-19 recovery with mixed results across sectors: healthcare and government saw job increases while professional services faced cuts.

A recent amendment to the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) aims to reduce potential damages employers face under biometric privacy lawsuits. This change is seen as a measure to protect jobs and provide clarity on privacy standards.

Firearm deer season begins Friday in Illinois, allowing hunters to use various weapons within specified regulations. Hunters must wear blaze orange or pink clothing for safety and adhere to specific permit requirements set by IDNR.