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

Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A panel of federal appeals court judges continues to agree that a Chicago federal judge overstepped his authority in ordering the en...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
'Project Freedom' paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

‘Project Freedom’ paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a day after its implementation, “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to safely escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, has been put...
Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Legislation to reduce credit card fees on purchases is a step closer to final passage in Colorado with proponents saying it will help small businesses...
Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday afternoon that Operation Epic Fury was concluded – similar to what the president has said in his communications...
Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security says his agency has changed its processes in...
Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square More than half of Americans said they are at least somewhat dissatisfied with the overall economy, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted by...
Illinois Quick Hits: State rep says megaprojects bill usable for Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: State rep says megaprojects bill usable for Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, says his megaprojects legislation is a directly usable tool for the city...
Tax hikes alone won't fully address US debt, report finds

Tax hikes alone won’t fully address US debt, report finds

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square No tax proposal before Congress would be sufficient on its own to put the federal debt on a sustainable long-term path, according to a new...
House GOP says Dems ignoring ‘realistic’ property tax relief plans

House GOP says Dems ignoring ‘realistic’ property tax relief plans

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the clock continues to tick toward the end of the legislative session in Springfield, Republican lawmakers...
Screenshot 2026-05-05 at 1.46.14 PM

JJC Entrepreneur and Business Center Celebrates $800,000 Federal Grant, Client Successes

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | April 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Entrepreneur and Business Center highlighted its recent community impact and rapid growth during a...
Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears

Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As he travels to Springfield to lobby for state funding of local governments, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson...
Doctors warn CMS proposal could weaken colorectal cancer screening standards

Doctors warn CMS proposal could weaken colorectal cancer screening standards

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Doctors have voiced concerns about a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would expand Medicare coverage for some colorectal cancer...
Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP

Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans are forging ahead with legislation to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Patrol along party lines. The two Senate committees...