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Woman freed on plea deal after serving 19 years for McHenry murder

A woman found guilty of a McHenry County murder had her conviction vacated last week after serving 19 years of her 27-year sentence and maintaining her innocence throughout her imprisonment.
Faith-based child welfare controversy may be reignited in Illinois

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision could reignite a 10-year-old controversy in Illinois over whether faith-based charities can be prohibited from contracting with the state for foster care and...
Rauner agrees to settle robocall lawsuit for $1 million

People targeted by a campaign robocall from former Gov. Bruce Rauner since his first campaign in 2014 will be eligible to earn a portion of a $1 million settlement agreement that was reached last...
CAPITOL RECAP: Hundreds of bills will head to Pritzker

UPDATED 6/24: Capitol Recap is a weekly roundup of Capitol News Illinois’ coverage of state government.

From Better Government Association: Biden’s infrastructure push challenges Illinois’ car-centric...

If President Joe Biden gets his infrastructure package through Congress, it could prompt Illinois and other states to reconsider how much of its transportation networks are built for cars and trucks.
More than 660 bills will head to Pritzker after legislative session

With the first year of the 102nd General Assembly mostly wrapped up, lawmakers as of Friday had officially passed 664 bills through both houses for eventual consideration by the governor.
Two-day session ends with major legislation, but no energy bill

Illinois lawmakers finished a two-day special session Thursday by passing some important legislation but without reaching agreement on the one issue they had hoped to resolve – an energy bill...
Vaccinated Illinoisans automatically entered into $10 million lottery

Any vaccinated Illinoisan will be automatically entered into a lottery for $10 million in prizes without having to take any extra steps to enter.
House OKs remote voting on bills to pass budget amendment

The Illinois House changed its rules Wednesday to allow lawmakers to cast votes on legislation remotely, giving them enough votes to pass a change to the budget bill and other measures.
‘Juneteenth’ becomes official state holiday

The day that marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when some of the last enslaved Americans learned that they had been freed is now an official state holiday in Illinois.

What We're Working On Today

Thursday, June 24

STORY: FITCH RATING
Fitch Ratings, one of three credit rating agencies that grade Illinois bonds, has upgraded its outlook for Illinois from negative to positive. The agency still gives Illinois general obligation bonds a BBB- rating, one notch above junk status, but says the recently-enacted state budget is moving the state in the right direction.
Reporter: Peter Hancock
Word count: 700-800 words
Photo: stock/file
ETA: SENT

STORY: SUPREME COURT PETITION
Lawyers for an Illinois man who was sentenced to 130 years for a murder when he was 16 are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify how life sentences for juveniles should be reevaluated, in light of recent decisions the court made against mandatory life sentences for juveniles.
Reporter: Sarah Mansur
Word count: 500-700 words
Photo: yes
ETA: SENT

NEW TODAY: Capitol Cast

Capitol News Illinois · Juneteenth in Illinois

Capitol News Illinois · Phase 5 Reopening

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill designating Juneteenth as an official state holiday. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki take a look at the importance of that holiday as well as other news from the Statehouse over the past week.

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