Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19
	Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19
	
		Very few people have been commuting to work since Illinois’ stay-at-home order began at the end of March, which could mean tax and fare troubles are ahead for Chicago’s mass transit. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Chicago may soon allow in-law flats, coach houses for first time since 1957
	Chicago may soon allow in-law flats, coach houses for first time since 1957
	
		Chicago introduces an ordinance to remove restrictions on accessory dwelling units, paving the way to encourage entrepreneurship and further combat the city’s affordable housing crisis	
				
			By Robert Brutvan
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers
	Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers
	
		With more than 1.1 million Illinoisans out of work, some of the highest-paid state lawmakers in the nation are in line for a raise – though some are fighting back.	
				
			By Austin Berg
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois lawmakers pass Election Day holiday for government workers only
	Illinois lawmakers pass Election Day holiday for government workers only
	
		Election Day 2020 would be a paid holiday for all government workers – at an unknown cost to already ailing local governments. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois shed 762,200 jobs in April, 12.5 times greater than worst month on record
	Illinois shed 762,200 jobs in April, 12.5 times greater than worst month on record
	
		Record job losses hit the state during the first full month of COVID-19 economic fallout.	
				
			By Bryce Hill
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America
	Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America
	
		Illinois was ranked as the most restrictive state in the U.S. in a survey of COVID-19 actions that impact everyday life. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois bill would make Election Day a holiday, but only for government workers
	Illinois bill would make Election Day a holiday, but only for government workers
	
		Tucked into sweeping vote-by-mail legislation is a holiday provision that would make Nov. 3, 2020, a holiday for all state and local government workers. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Pritzker family firm has ties to COVID-19 testing companies
	Pritzker family firm has ties to COVID-19 testing companies
	
		The Pritzker Group, a private and venture capital firm co-founded by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is connected to at least two companies creating COVID-19 tests. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Pritzker threatens local police who don’t enforce his stay-at-home order
	Pritzker threatens local police who don’t enforce his stay-at-home order
	
		The governor has made a series of threats against business owners and officials to force compliance with his executive order. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		State agency published private data of nearly 32,500 unemployed Illinoisans
	State agency published private data of nearly 32,500 unemployed Illinoisans
	
		Just as Illinois opened its unemployment system to self-employed workers, the new system exposed Social Security numbers and other private information of 32,483 applicants, according to a Freedom of Information Act response. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.
	Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.
	
		"It’s really hard to put a new budget together and say this is where we’re going to end up. We know we can’t keep going like this for a long period of time."	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois’ new jobless claims remain high, push total since COVID-19 to nearly 1.1M
	Illinois’ new jobless claims remain high, push total since COVID-19 to nearly 1.1M
	
		Self-employed and gig workers were finally allowed to file for benefits last week, driving the total to nearly 1.1 million Illinoisans seeking help since COVID-19 hit the state’s economy.	
				
			By Bryce Hill