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Illinois Department of Human Services employees have worked excessive overtime — with one worker more than tripling their annual salary of $66,000 — which could have an adverse effect on people in the department’s care, a state audit released earlier this month found.
The Dec. 4 report from Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office, which covered fiscal years 2021 through 2023, also found that misconduct allegations within IDHS have increased and that the department’s inspector general’s office has been slower to investigate complaints.
The report lays out the latest problems for an agency still dealing with fallout from accusations that a downstate mental health center repeatedly covered up staff misconduct amid allegations of abuse and neglect of residents.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner.
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Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital while the WHO chief says he was nearby
A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen yesterday targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports, while the World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight in Sanaa, with a crew member injured.
FDA proposes new testing rules to ensure cosmetics are asbestos-free
Cosmetic companies would have to take extra steps to ensure that any products containing talc are free of asbestos under a federal rule proposed yesterday.
The proposal from the Food and Drug Administration and mandated by Congress is intended to reassure consumers about the safety of makeup, baby powder and other personal care products.
Boy, 2, critically wounded in North Lawndale shooting
A 2-year-old boy was in critical condition after being shot multiple times inside a North Lawndale apartment yesterday afternoon, according to Chicago police.
The boy was shot multiple times in the lower body just after 4 p.m., and a person of interest was in custody, police said.
Fate of endangered State Street historic buildings still hangs in the balance as feds weigh security needs
Historic preservationists thought their demands had been answered this summer when the federal government appeared to green-light the rehab of the two century-old office towers it’s owned on State Street for nearly two decades. But security restrictions governing how the buildings are used going forward have raised questions about the future of the structures.
Lake Michigan waves could be a clean power source for remote spots like Beaver Island
A single underwater cable supplies Beaver Island with its power.
Storms, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe with climate change, have knocked out the lights for days. A maritime accident once cut electricity for months in the 600-person island 30 miles off the coast of western Michigan.
What if water surrounding Beaver Island could be the key to delivering the small island with more reliable — and clean — power?
2024 in review: Life in Chicagoland as told through Tribune editorials
This holiday week, the Tribune Editorial Board is looking back at the year through editorials covering Chicagoland, the machinations of City Hall, the presidential election of 2024 and national and world affairs.
- A look back at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s year through Tribune editorials
- A look back at the Chicago school funding fight in op-eds
- A look back at the Bears stadium debate through Tribune op-eds
‘Sell the team!’ chants break out at Soldier Field. Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the Chicago Bears’ 10th straight loss.
One of the lasting memories of the 2024 Bears season will be fans chanting “Sell the team!” in the final two minutes and as they exited Soldier Field last night after the team’s 10th consecutive loss.
Here are 10 thoughts after the latest loss that featured familiar clock-management issues.
- Caleb Williams takes the ‘heat’ for Bears’ ugly loss: ‘I was frustrated. Probably will be frustrated till tomorrow.’
- Column: Chaotic final drive punctuates the Bears’ 10th consecutive loss. ‘We’ve got to change something.’
Meet the 4 prospects the Chicago White Sox acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade
All four players are ranked by MLB.com among the top 15 prospects in the White Sox organization.
Here’s a closer look at the new additions.
Column: The 10 worst movies of 2024, plus 3 screen highlights to make up for them
Before we send 2024 packing, it’d be good karma to acknowledge some offbeat screen experiences don’t fit a typical best-of-the-year list. And Tribune film critic Michael Phillips also gets to the 10 worst movies of the year, guaranteed to undo that karma in a flash.
So. Goodbye, year. And hats off to Chicago’s cinema workers, archivists, educators, theater managers, projectionists — and to all venues offering real butter on popcorn that didn’t come out of a bag and doesn’t taste like something that fell out of an Amazon packing envelope.
