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

Vote postponed on Southwest congressmen's wildfire bill

Vote postponed on Southwest congressmen’s wildfire bill

By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The Center Square) – Members of Congress debated a bill on Tuesday that would change how the federal government handles air quality monitoring influenced by...
Trump's $1.5 trillion military budget: What taxpayers are getting

Trump’s $1.5 trillion military budget: What taxpayers are getting

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon's top budget official said Tuesday that the agency's failure to pass eight consecutive audits shouldn't stop Congress from approving the largest military budget...
DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on wire, bank fraud charges

DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on wire, bank fraud charges

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on 11 counts of wire and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money...
Ceasefire extended, fractured Iranian government cited

Ceasefire extended, fractured Iranian government cited

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square With hours left before the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was set to expire, President Donald Trump has extended it, citing a “seriously...
Lawmakers call for AI in financial literacy, systems

Lawmakers call for AI in financial literacy, systems

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers and industry leaders proposed implementing artificial intelligence to address gaps in financial literacy across the country. The lawmakers spoke at Axios’ Financial Confidence event...
FTC probe into APA urged over contradictory stances on gender-affirming care for minors

FTC probe into APA urged over contradictory stances on gender-affirming care for minors

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Medical group Do No Harm sent a letter Monday to the Federal Trade Commission urging an investigation into the American Psychological Association, accusing APA of...
Cherfilus-McCormick resigns from U.S. House

Cherfilus-McCormick resigns from U.S. House

By Merrilee GasserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, resigned from Congress Tuesday minutes before a House Ethics Committee hearing that would have decided sanctions against...
International Energy Agency leader says energy crisis worst in history

International Energy Agency leader says energy crisis worst in history

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel is creating the worst energy crisis ever faced by the world, the head of the...
Republicans unveil budget resolution allotting up to $140 billion for ICE, CBP

Republicans unveil budget resolution allotting up to $140 billion for ICE, CBP

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans released a blueprint for their immigration enforcement funding bill Tuesday, paving the way to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, which has...
Military spy budget surges 49%, details secret

Military spy budget surges 49%, details secret

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's Pentagon requested $50 billion from taxpayers on Tuesday for a budget so secret that the military will only say how much it...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Transit Authority Acting President Nora Leerhsen says the agency has increased law enforcement hours by 75%...
Advocacy groups respond to new executive order on psychedelics

Advocacy groups respond to new executive order on psychedelics

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Some say President Donald Trump’s new executive order on psychedelics goes too far, while others say it’s a good first step, but more action is...
Senators grill Warsh on Fed independence, assets

Senators grill Warsh on Fed independence, assets

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Senators grilled Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, over his asset disclosures and independence from the president’s decision-making. The U.S....
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Cuomo COVID-19 lawsuit

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Cuomo COVID-19 lawsuit

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a lawsuit against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, claiming he was responsible for nursing home deaths...
Illinoisans 'ought be concerned' report ranks IL 45th for economic outlook

Illinoisans ‘ought be concerned’ report ranks IL 45th for economic outlook

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A tax and fiscal policy task force director says Illinois residents ought to be concerned about the...