Joel Ebert is The Daily Line's reporter covering the Illinois state government. He covered politics in Illinois, South Dakota and West Virginia before joining The Tennessean in 2016 to report on the Tennessee General Assembly and state government. In West Virginia, he worked as a daily statehouse reporter before transitioning to provide daily coverage of the trial of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, who became the first chief executive of a major corporation convicted of a workplace safety crime. A native of Illinois and graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Ebert is a student of Chicago politics whose work has been cited by national media. He’s received awards from the press associations in South Dakota, West Virginia and Tennessee, including the Malcolm Law Award for investigative reporting. In 2019, he was a National Press Foundation fellow.
Bio
Former state govt & legislative reporter for @thedailylineIL, @Tennessean, @wvgazettemail, @charleywest & @capitaljournal
DEC 18, 2020
The Regional Transit Authority board approved its 2021 budget Thursday with a heavy reliance on additional federal funding.The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) on Thursday approved a $3 billion budget for 2021 that heavily relies on additional funding from Congress, which officials anticipate could provide $450 million to the agency.
Regional Transit Authority approves $3 billion budget while anticipating $450 million in additional federal COVID-19 relief
The Regional Transit Authority board approved its 2021 budget Thursday with a heavy reliance on...
DEC 17, 2020
Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee met Wednesday for a hearing on the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home.Illinois lawmakers searched for answers and accountability Wednesday when they spent nearly four hours grilling members of Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration about the recent COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home that has killed 33 residents.
Lawmakers demand answers, question state’s handling of COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle Veterans’ Home
Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee met Wednesday for a hearing on the COVID-19 out...
DEC 17, 2020
News in brief: Madigan forms budget advisory group; Pritzker, Preckwinkle announce statewide computer donation program
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Thursday, December 17th
News in brief: Madigan forms budget advisory group; Pritzker, Preckwinkle announce statewide comp...
DEC 16, 2020
News in brief: Pritzker disappointed Madigan didn’t take advantage of investigating committee; board rebuffs Mercy hospital closure plan; coalition of governors urges safety during holidays
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Wednesday, December 16th
News in brief: Pritzker disappointed Madigan didn’t take advantage of investigating committee; bo...
DEC 16, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced more than $700 million in budget cuts.Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced more than $700 million in budget reductions for the current fiscal year, while eyeing additional changes including potential furloughs for state employees, as part of an early attempt to begin addressing the state’s $3.9 billion budget deficit.
Pritzker announces $700 million in budget cuts as ‘first step’ to address state’s $3.9 billion deficit
Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced more than $700 million in budget cuts.Gov. JB Pritzker on...
DEC 15, 2020
News in brief: State begins receiving COVID-19 vaccines; electoral college affirms presidential election results; Pritzker announces partnership with ALDI
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Tuesday, December 15th
News in brief: State begins receiving COVID-19 vaccines; electoral college affirms presidential e...
DEC 14, 2020
House Speaker Mike MadiganThe special House committee investigating Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) will meet for the first time in months on Monday, following a bevy of major and minor developments in recent weeks.
Republicans to renew push for subpoenas on committee investigating Madigan
House Speaker Mike MadiganThe special House committee investigating Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chi...
DEC 14, 2020
News in brief: House Democrats encourage one another to coalesce; Illinois Electoral College to meet Monday
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Monday December 14th
News in brief: House Democrats encourage one another to coalesce; Illinois Electoral College to m...
DEC 11, 2020
News in brief: House Black caucus to support Madigan; Pritzker sends National Guard staff to veterans’ homes; Native American employment council launched
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Friday, December 11th
News in brief: House Black caucus to support Madigan; Pritzker sends National Guard staff to vete...
DEC 11, 2020
Sen. Andy Manar and Theresa Hawley from the governor’s office gave a preview Thursday of the anticipated final recommendations Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding.
One year after Gov. JB Pritzker established it, the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding is finalizing its recommendations, which are expected to include a proposal to create a new state agency.
Commission expected to recommend creating new state agency focused on early childhood education
Sen. Andy Manar and Theresa Hawley from the governor’s office gave a preview Thursday of the anti...
DEC 10, 2020
Last week, Illinois State Board of Elections director of legislation Angela Welsh Ryan outlined a host of anticipated legislative proposals for the upcoming session, which executive director Steve Sandvoss called an “ambitious agenda.”After recent high-profile indictments of state lawmakers, the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE) is looking to introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would let the agency initiate its own audits.
Elections officials eye legislation to trigger campaign committee audits after high-profile indictments
Last week, Illinois State Board of Elections director of legislation Angela Welsh Ryan outlined...
DEC 10, 2020
News in brief: GOP lawmakers renew push to fix gun license backlog; Democrats introduce bill to recoup excess health care profits during pandemic
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Thursday, December 10th
News in brief: GOP lawmakers renew push to fix gun license backlog; Democrats introduce bill to r...
DEC 09, 2020
News in brief: GOP lawmakers to introduce bill to expand recall options; higher education enrollment in Illinois sees steeper declines than national averages
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Wednesday, December 9th
News in brief: GOP lawmakers to introduce bill to expand recall options; higher education enrollm...
DEC 09, 2020
Rep. Will Davis and Sen. Bill Cunningham highlighted the findings of a new economic impact analysis on Tuesday to call for the passage of their renewable energy legislation.Attempting to seize on the upcoming legislative session, a researcher estimated in new report released Tuesday the economic impact of passing the “Path to 100 Act” (HB 2966/SB 1781) would create 53,000 jobs in Illinois and generate $8.2 billion in economic output during construction.
Proposed renewable energy legislation would create 53,000 construction jobs: report
Rep. Will Davis and Sen. Bill Cunningham highlighted the findings of a new economic impact anal...
DEC 08, 2020
News in brief: Staffing changes at LaSalle Veterans Home; Pritzker blasts Rep. Halbrook; Nationstar Mortgage settlement announced
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Tuesday, December 8th
News in brief: Staffing changes at LaSalle Veterans Home; Pritzker blasts Rep. Halbrook; Nationst...
DEC 08, 2020
After record voter turnout this year’s during General Election, officials anticipate another vote-by-mail expansion.When state officials certified the results of the General Election last week, they noted voter turnout in Illinois had hit its highest level in a presidential election year since 1992.
After record voter turnout, another vote-by-mail expansion likely in store
After record voter turnout this year’s during General Election, officials anticipate another vo...
DEC 07, 2020
News in brief: Madigan, Kifowit address Black caucus, former Sen. Martin Sandoval dies, state GOP chair to step down
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Monday, December 7th
News in brief: Madigan, Kifowit address Black caucus, former Sen. Martin Sandoval dies, state GOP...
DEC 07, 2020
Through the first ten months of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, at least 6 percent and potentially as many as 9 percent of state employees in Illinois have contracted the virus, according to data obtained by The Daily Line.
At least 6 percent of state employees have tested positive for COVID-19, Daily Line analysis finds
Through the first ten months of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, at least 6 percent and potentially...
DEC 04, 2020
News in brief: Pritzker eyeing lawmaker-lobbyist revolving door; Black caucus to host House speaker candidates forum; Commerce commission decision on net metering met with praise
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Friday, December 4th
News in brief: Pritzker eyeing lawmaker-lobbyist revolving door; Black caucus to host House speak...
DEC 04, 2020
Illinois State Police director Brendan Kelly and Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault executive director Carrie Ward on Thursday discussed the latest gains and needs for reducing the state’s DNA backlog during a Senate hearing.While the Illinois State Police has significantly reduced its DNA backlog in recent months, more work needs to be done to provide faster results in order to help victims’ families and improve trust in the community, a panel of lawmakers were told Thursday.
Despite reductions in DNA backlog, community members, state police say more work needed
Illinois State Police director Brendan Kelly and Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault exec...
Bio
Former state govt & legislative reporter for @thedailylineIL, @Tennessean, @wvgazettemail, @charleywest & @capitaljournal
