Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago breaks ground on $4.7M torture memorial

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson and other Chicago officials have broken ground on a $4.7 million memorial to honor survivors of police torture.

The Chicago Torture Justice Memorial on the city’s South Side recognizes survivors of torture committed by former police commander Jon Burge and detectives under his command.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday morning.

STATE TO PROVIDE $3M FOR QUANTUM TEAMS

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have launched a $3 million capital fund to augment federal funding for teams focused on quantum technologies.

The X-Labs Fast Fund aims to encourage U.S. National Science Foundation X-Labs teams to choose Illinois as the place for pursuing breakthroughs in the quantum technology sector.

Illinois government officials have committed about $200 million in state taxpayer funds to attract federal funding for quantum.

SMALL BIZ LEGISLATIVE VOTING SCORES ANNOUNCED

The National Federation of Independent Business has released its 2025-2026 small business legislative voting record for Illinois.

Five state senators and 23 state representatives scored a 100% pro-small business record during the 2025-2026 session.

State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, was the only Illinois lawmaker to receive a score of 0%.

The NFIB said the record includes key votes on issues important to small businesses but does not factor in committee votes or behind-the-scenes legislative support.

IL US REP PROPOSES REDUCING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL JOBS

Illinois U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has joined Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, R-PA, and Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, D-OR, to introduce legislation that would reduce bachelor’s degree requirements for some federal jobs.

The bipartisan Federal Jobs for STARs Act allows Skilled Through Alternative Routes workers to compete for federal positions based on their skills and experience.

Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, said qualified Americans should not be denied a fair opportunity to compete simply because they don’t have a bachelor’s degree.

COOK COUNTY TO HOST BUDGET TOWN HALL

Cook County officials are holding a preliminary budget forecast town hall on Thursday.

The event is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 118 N. Clark Street in Chicago.

County board president Toni Preckwinkle recently projected a budget gap of $550.7 million dollars for fiscal year 2027.