Morning Watch - January 8
Jan 08, 2013
Ticking clock: The Illinois House did not vote on the pension reform bill yesterday, and time is running out for approval during the lame duck session, the State Journal-Register reports.
The time is now: Lame ducks in Springfield have one final chance to pass pension reform and need to get it done, the Sun-Times' editorial board writes.
Float a vote? The State Journal-Register's editorial board hopes the Illinois House votes on the pension reform bill proposed by Senate President John Cullerton.
License link: An Illinois House committee approves a proposal to issue licenses to undocumented immigrants, the State Journal-Register reports.
Full house: The Chicago Federation of Labor president suggests putting a casino in the Thompson Center, the Sun-Times reports.
Healthcare calls: An Illinois House committee OKs expanding Medicaid for low-income residents in order to implement the national health care law next year, the State Journal-Register reports.
Star power: Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy wants to enlist local celebrities Derrick Rose and rapper Common to combat the "no-snitching" code of silence common in communities that often protects shooters, DNAinfo.com reports.
Cuts too deep: The Sun-Times' editorial board says budget cuts to the Department of Children and Family Services create an emergency situation
Race is on: Twenty-two candidates file for Jackson's former seat in Congress, including Debbie Halvorson, who lost the March primary last year, NBC Chicago reports.
Cash slash: The Regional Transportation Authority says it will cut off funding to Metra and CTA if budget issues aren't resolved, Crain's reports.
Exonerated: The last charges are dropped against wrongfully convicted man who spent 20 years in prison for rape and battery, the Trib reports.
Zero: The Daily Herald's editorial board praises Aurora law enforcement for finishing 2012 without any murders in the state's second-most populous city.