Congresswoman to testify at Madigan trial
Illinois U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski is expected to testify Monday at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Before being elected to Congress, Budzinski worked as a transition team member when J.B. Pritzker was governor-elect in late 2018 and 2019 and communicated with Madigan’s office about personnel recommendations.
Prosecutors allege that in exchange for no-show jobs, contracts and other benefits, Madigan helped utilities such as ComEd and AT&T Illinois get beneficial legislation passed in Springfield.
Durbin to reveal political future plans
Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he’ll update voters after the start of the new year about his political future.
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday, Durbin discussed presidential pardons, saying President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter was done by a “loving father,” and doesn’t think there needs to be any preemptive pardons’ as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Gold Star Families Christmas tree lighting
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is lighting the Gold Star Families Christmas tree.
The lighting ceremony Monday afternoon at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield includes a program featuring agency Director Terry Prince and Illinois National Guard Adjutant General Rodney Boyd.
The tree is decorated by families of soldiers who lost their lives in combat.
