Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers

January 22, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general has advised the city’s human resources and finance departments that from 2020 through 2024, the city paid $26.5 million in overtime to potentially ineligible employees.

According to the advisory, Chicago paid the overtime to workers in 24 city departments, the elections board, city clerk’s office and city council.

The inspector general’s office said the human resources and finance departments have committed to collaborate and ensure that the city would no longer pay overtime to ineligible employees.

AIRMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

A former airman stationed in Illinois has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child pornography.

The federal charges followed execution of a search warrant at 32-year-old Michael E. McCay’s residence on Scott Air Force Base in February 2023.

Prosecutors say McCay was sexually exploiting at least two minor victims through online applications, including Roblox and Snapchat.

ALEC EDUCATION

The American Legislative Exchange Council has released its annual Index of State Education Freedom.

Illinois ranks 44th out of 50 states, down from 38th one year ago. ALEC gave the Land of Lincoln a D grade, partly due to failing grades for student-centered funding programs and open enrollment.

Top-ranked Florida earned an A+. Iowa ranked 4th overall with an A, and Indiana was 6th with an A-. Kentucky finished below Illinois at #48.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

House Republicans re-pass DHS funding bill in symbolic vote

House Republicans re-pass DHS funding bill in symbolic vote

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House re-passed the 2026 Homeland Security funding bill in a symbolic vote Thursday, amping up pressure on Democrats as DHS remains shuttered while...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: 'Don't let the door hit you'

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: ‘Don’t let the door hit you’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s legacy is corruption and chaos. In...
Trump's newest tariff program won't raise nearly as much money

Trump’s newest tariff program won’t raise nearly as much money

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's newest tariffs, which already face a legal challenge in court, could increase deficits by $1.6 billion over the next decade, if they...
Legal experts: Supreme Court should decide energy policy framework over climate lawsuits

Legal experts: Supreme Court should decide energy policy framework over climate lawsuits

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the fall over a case to decide whether states can sue fossil fuel companies for damages related...
Judge orders tariff refunds, but Friday's hearing could set course

Judge orders tariff refunds, but Friday’s hearing could set course

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The government must refund more than $130 billion in tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump's unconstitutional tariff regime, even to those who did not file...
Iran War Powers resolution fails in House

Iran War Powers resolution fails in House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congressional efforts to halt the U.S. military’s operations in Iran have now failed twice, with the U.S. House tanking a War Powers Resolution only a...
WATCH: Democratic officials sue Trump over new tariff

WATCH: Democratic officials sue Trump over new tariff

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general across the U.S. sued the Trump administration Thursday to stop the implementation of a new 15% global tariff under Section 122 of...
Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware

Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Police say they are monitoring the U.S. conflict in Iran. Residents and visitors observed a significant...
Noem ousted as secretary of Homeland Security; Mullin to succeed

Noem ousted as secretary of Homeland Security; Mullin to succeed

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump is nominating Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma as the next Homeland Security Secretary. On Thursday, the second-term Republican decided to reassign...
DHS remains shuttered after third failed vote to reopen it

DHS remains shuttered after third failed vote to reopen it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats tanked the Department of Homeland Security funding bill for the third time Thursday, ensuring the department’s funding lapse will continue for at least...
Walz, Ellison face resignation calls during House fraud hearing

Walz, Ellison face resignation calls during House fraud hearing

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday faced calls to step down during a hearing of the U.S. House Oversight Committee...
U.S. House introduces bill to require national debt transparency

U.S. House introduces bill to require national debt transparency

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers introduced a bill to require greater transparency on the national debt and GDP. Reps. Lloyd Smucker, R-Penn., and Jared Golden, D-Maine, introduced the Debt-to-GDP...
Illinois secretary of state wants nearly 2% budget increase

Illinois secretary of state wants nearly 2% budget increase

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants nearly 2% more in taxpayer funds for his upcoming...
Illinois Quick Hits: Suspect arrested in connection with East St. Louis killing

Illinois Quick Hits: Suspect arrested in connection with East St. Louis killing

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Illinois State Police special agents arrested a man accused of...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for February 10, 2026

Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026 The Will County Landfill Committee met on Tuesday to address legal preparations for the upcoming landfill expansion and operational needs at...