Quick Hits: Illinois News In Brief For Sept. 18

From The Center Square:

Lawmakers get a green light on special investigation

Illinois lawmakers have the green light to pursue their own investigation into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s role in a bribery scheme involving utility Commonwealth Edison, but there is a catch.

Lawmakers are not allowed to specifically ask witnesses what information they have shared with federal investigators or a federal grand jury.

Madigan has not been charged with a crime.

Unemployment claims dip in Illinois

The number of initial unemployment claims fell slightly in Illinois last week.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday the unemployment rate fell to 11 percent, down a half a point.

In the meantime, the July unemployment rate was revised upward for the preliminary report, from 11.3 percent to 11.5 percent.

Students, parents rally for school sports

Coaches and players fed up with the cancellation of some high school sports this fall are taking action.

Two “Let Us Play” rallies are planned for Saturday, one in Springfield and the other in Chicago. Protesters are asking anyone who wants sports, specifically football, to start-up then they should speak up.

Gov. J.B Pritzker said this week he is not nudging on his decision to keep players sidelined.

The focus of the work of The Center Square Illinois is state- and local-level government and economic reporting that approaches stories with a taxpayer sensibility. For more stories from The Center Square, visit TheCenterSquare.com.