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
NOV 02, 2020
Sen. Melinda Bush faces Republican Chris Kasperski in the race for Senate District 31.First elected to the state Senate in 2012, Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) has twice staved off Republican opponents in general elections to represent a district that borders Wisconsin and includes Zion, Benton, and portions of Waukegan and Gurnee.
Accessibility, corruption cures key as Kasperski looks to pull upset against Bush in ‘independent’ northern state Senate race
Sen. Melinda Bush faces Republican Chris Kasperski in the race for Senate District 31.First ele...
NOV 02, 2020
With more than 3 million ballots already cast statewide, Illinois Democrats see this year’s election as an opportunity to seize on President Donald Trump’s unpopularity and bolster their already sizable advantage in the state legislature. Meanwhile, Republicans are hoping make gains by highlighting a recent string of federal indictments that have resulted in several Democratic lawmakers being charged and implicated House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).
During the 2018 election cycle, Democrats grew their majority in the legislature by seven seats in the House and three seats in the Senate. Today, Democrats control 74 of the 118 seats in the House and 40 of the 59 seats in the Senate, enough for a supermajority in both chambers.
Will Democrats pad their supermajority on Tuesday? Breaking down the state house, race by race
With more than 3 million ballots already cast statewide, Illinois Democrats see this year’s elect...
OCT 30, 2020
Sen. Patrick Joyce faces Republican Eric Wallace in the race to represent Senate District 40.Nearly a year after state Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) was appointed to his position, voters will choose whether to send him to Springfield for a full term or take a new direction.
In south suburban Senate race, Joyce faces general election voters for first time while Wallace takes unconventional approach
Sen. Patrick Joyce faces Republican Eric Wallace in the race to represent Senate District 40.Ne...
OCT 30, 2020
News in brief: West-central Illinois to face increased mitigation; Pritzker criticizes ‘snake oil salesmen’ lawyers; new casino licenses delayed; second round of BIG funding released
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Friday, October 30th
News in brief: West-central Illinois to face increased mitigation; Pritzker criticizes ‘snake oil...
OCT 29, 2020
News in brief: GOP lawmakers seize on Lightfoot’s mitigation concerns; Lightfoot backs down on state restrictions; Region 9 to face increased mitigation; Aurora inspection company hiring
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Thursday, October 29th
News in brief: GOP lawmakers seize on Lightfoot’s mitigation concerns; Lightfoot backs down on st...
OCT 28, 2020
Rep. Amy Grant faces Democrat Ken Mejia-Beal in the race to represent House District 42One of the more intriguing legislative races in Illinois this year is the battle between Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) and Democrat Ken Mejia-Beal to represent a west suburban House district that includes portions of Wheaton, Naperville, Lisle, Carol Stream, West Chicago, Warrenville, Carol Stream and all of Winfield.
Grant, Mejia-Beal divided on key issues as phone recording hangs over Naperville state house race
Rep. Amy Grant faces Democrat Ken Mejia-Beal in the race to represent House District 42One of t...
OCT 28, 2020
Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle told a legislative panel Tuesday they should approve measures that would halt benefits for police officers convicted of a felony or disqualifying offenses, extend whistleblower protections and require intervention by colleagues when a fellow officer uses excessive force.
Preckwinkle calls on Springfield to help rein in ‘rampant abuse’ by police
Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle told a legislative panel Tuesday they should approve measu...
OCT 27, 2020
News in brief: Return of McCormick Place field hospital deemed unlikely; Ezike warns of dire COVID-19 death count; two regions see new restrictions; lawmakers urged to keep telehealth expansion; equity grants for higher education
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Tuesday, October 27th
News in brief: Return of McCormick Place field hospital deemed unlikely; Ezike warns of dire COVI...
OCT 27, 2020
Sen. Steve Stadelman faces Republican Paul Hofmann in Senate District 34For the first time since 2012, voters in the Rockford area Senate District 34 will have an opportunity to choose between a Democrat and Republican while deciding who should represent them.
Republicans look to flip lone Rockford-area Dem senate seat
Sen. Steve Stadelman faces Republican Paul Hofmann in Senate District 34For the first time sinc...
OCT 26, 2020
Rep. Grant Wehrli and Democrat Janet Yang Rohr face off in the House District 41 raceWhen Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) last ran for reelection, he defeated Democrat Val Montgomery by just 1,900 votes, despite her not living in his House district, which consists of portions of Will and DuPage counties including much of Naperville.
Attempting to sway voters in Naperville House district, Yang Rohr focuses on health care as Wehrli hopes to bring ‘fiscal sanity’ to Springfield
Rep. Grant Wehrli and Democrat Janet Yang Rohr face off in the House District 41 raceWhen Rep. ...
OCT 26, 2020
This time next month, after weeks of legislative hearings exploring solutions to systemic inequities, Illinois lawmakers will be in the middle of a historic and unprecedented veto session.
Black Caucus agenda, ethics reform effort expected to take top billing during historic veto session
This time next month, after weeks of legislative hearings exploring solutions to systemic inequit...
OCT 23, 2020
News in brief: Recently launched YouthCare faces criticism; Pritzker eyeing license removal for business ‘scofflaws’; I-255 reconstruction nears completion
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Friday, October 23rd
News in brief: Recently launched YouthCare faces criticism; Pritzker eyeing license removal for b...
OCT 23, 2020
Democrat Rep. Karina Villa (left) faces Republican Jeanette Ward in the Senate District 25 raceFor the first time in nearly a decade, Jim Oberweis’ name will not appear on the ballot to represent the voters of Kane, DuPage and Kendall counties.
‘Moderate’ Democrat and ‘freedom, faith and family’ Republican face off in a bid for west suburban Senate district
Democrat Rep. Karina Villa (left) faces Republican Jeanette Ward in the Senate District 25 race...
OCT 22, 2020
Kyle Westbrook of the Partnership for College Completion on Wednesday encouraged members of the Senate to consider expanding the state’s Monetary Award Program.Illinois should follow the lead of other states and implement a program to make post-secondary education tuition free in order to provide more opportunities to Black and Latino students, a panel of education advocates told lawmakers Wednesday.
Education advocates tout benefits of free college tuition as part of ongoing conversation over equity
Kyle Westbrook of the Partnership for College Completion on Wednesday encouraged members of the...
OCT 22, 2020
News in brief: Pritzker releases “framework” for COVID-19 vaccine distribution; Mazzochi blasts governor for mitigation efforts; Municipal League calls for expediting release of CARES Act money
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Thursday, October 22nd
News in brief: Pritzker releases “framework” for COVID-19 vaccine distribution; Mazzochi blasts g...
OCT 21, 2020
Republican Rep. Tom Morrison will once again face Democrat Maggie Trevor in the race to represent House District 54Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) has been riding around his suburban state house district on a bicycle as part of his efforts to convince voters to reelect him for two more years. He says the unusual tactic, which he calls his “mobile office,” allows him to keep in touch with residents in House District 54 — a high priority since his narrow 2018 reelection.
Rep. Tom Morrison, Democrat Maggie Trevor set for rematch in suburban Cook County House race
Republican Rep. Tom Morrison will once again face Democrat Maggie Trevor in the race to represe...
OCT 21, 2020
Malik Alim of the Coalition to End Money Bond and director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts Marcia Meis spoke to members of a joint Senate hearing Tuesday to discuss proposals about ending cash bail in the state.State leaders’ effort to eliminate cash bail in Illinois faced criticism from two judges and a sheriff in a Senate hearing Tuesday, as several panelists stressed the need to take less dramatic steps first.
Senators weigh pros, cons of eliminating cash bail in Illinois: ‘There needs to be some form of accountability’
Malik Alim of the Coalition to End Money Bond and director of the Administrative Office of the ...
OCT 21, 2020
News in brief: Pritzker casts doubt on new stay-at-home order; @CivicFederation opposed graduated income tax; @illinoissbe dismisses complaints against lawmaker, alderman
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Wednesday, October 21st
News in brief: Pritzker casts doubt on new stay-at-home order; @CivicFederation opposed graduated...
OCT 20, 2020
Sterling Initiatives CEO Jeffrey Sterling encouraged a panel of lawmakers on Monday to take a “comprehensive” approach to address disparities in Illinois’ health care system.Safety net hospitals in Illinois provide a critical function and must get help from the state or risk further deepening the health care divide that exists in underserved communities, advocates and health executives told lawmakers Monday.
Panelists call for funding for safety net hospitals, ‘comprehensive’ approach to fix disparities in Illinois health care
Sterling Initiatives CEO Jeffrey Sterling encouraged a panel of lawmakers on Monday to take a “...
OCT 20, 2020
News in brief: Pritzker announces return of daily COVID-19 briefings, second round of broadband grants
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Tuesday, October 20th
News in brief: Pritzker announces return of daily COVID-19 briefings, second round of broadband g...
Bio
Former state govt & legislative reporter for @thedailylineIL, @Tennessean, @wvgazettemail, @charleywest & @capitaljournal
