Mapes reports to prison
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff and House Clerk Tim Mapes reports to prison Tuesday to begin a 2.5 year sentence.
In August 2023, a federal jury found Mapes guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to a grand jury investigating Madigan and others. Madigan faces trial on 23 counts of racketeering, bribery and official misconduct in a separate case going to trial in October.
Pritzker on trade mission in Canada
Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues his trade mission in Canada his office says is meant to discuss further opportunities for collaboration. Canada is Illinois’ largest trading partner.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity reports from 2009 to 2022, exports to Canada increased by $37 billion, or 89%, and supported over 800,000 jobs.
Top exports are transportation equipment and petroleum and coal products. Top imports are oil and gas and food.
Report: Illinois worst state in racial equality
Behind only the District of Columbia, Illinois is the worst state in racial equality, according to a new report from consumer finance website WalletHub.
The report shows the Land of Lincoln 50th for unemployment rate and share of unsheltered homeless for minority populations. Neighboring Missouri ranked 26th overall. Kentucky ranked 11th.