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
SEP 23, 2020
News in brief: August McCormick Place closure results in $15 million loss for Chicago; utilities voluntarily extend disconnection moratorium; Blagojevich joins McCullagh to “oppose corruption”
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Wednesday, September 23rd
News in brief: August McCormick Place closure results in $15 million loss for Chicago; utilities ...
SEP 23, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday elaborated on his decision to add an additional review of marijuana licensing applicants to ensure equityGov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday elaborated on his administration’s decision to give unsuccessful applicants seeking a marijuana dispensary license another opportunity, saying the move was necessary in order to ensure equity.
Pritzker says additional review of marijuana licensing applicants will make process more equitable
Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday elaborated on his decision to add an additional review of marijuana...
SEP 22, 2020
News in brief: Facing scrutiny for cannabis dispensary lottery system, Governor Pritzker announces change
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Tuesday, September 22nd
News in brief: Facing scrutiny for cannabis dispensary lottery system, Governor Pritzker announce...
SEP 22, 2020
Rep. Amy Grant (Credit: Illinois General Assembly)State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) faced scrutiny Monday for remarks she made about the racial and sexual orientation of her opponent, Democrat Ken Mejia-Beal, in a recorded phone call.
GOP state rep apologizes for comments about opponent
Rep. Amy Grant (Credit: Illinois General Assembly)State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) faced scruti...
SEP 22, 2020
A polling place in March 2018. [A.D. Quig/The Daily Line]Board of Elections to give local officials additional money to bolster drop boxes, election judge recruitment effort
A polling place in March 2018. [A.D. Quig/The Daily Line]Amid concerns over drop boxes and ongo...
SEP 21, 2020
More than a year after Illinois lawmakers unanimously passed legislation seeking to prevent sexual and physical abuse of students, a task force is recommending additional changes, including the creation of a new database and a change in state law to require more training for adults.
Task force releases recommendations aimed at combating physical, sexual abuse among students
More than a year after Illinois lawmakers unanimously passed legislation seeking to prevent sexua...
SEP 21, 2020
News in brief: Region 7 reopens as state receives federal unemployment funds and @EqualityILL endorses more candidates
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Monday, September 21st
News in brief: Region 7 reopens as state receives federal unemployment funds and @EqualityILL end...
SEP 18, 2020
News in brief: IL unemployment rate continues to fall; @EqualityILL announces House candidate endorsements
TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Friday, September 18th
News in brief: IL unemployment rate continues to fall; @EqualityILL announces House candidate end...
SEP 18, 2020
U.S. Attorney John Lausch on Thursday told members of the special investigative committee probing House Speaker Mike Madigan that he has no objection to the panel seeking documents or testimony from witnesses.
Lausch gives OK to legislative committee’s plans to call witnesses, seek documents in Madigan probe
U.S. Attorney John Lausch on Thursday told members of the special investigative committee probing...
SEP 17, 2020
The Illinois Legislative Black CaucusCreating a state agency tasked with focusing on early childhood education, bolstering funding, reducing so-called childcare deserts and improving readiness should be key components to changing Illinois’ education system, a panel of experts told Illinois lawmakers Wednesday.
Advocates push for changes to early education as Legislative Black Caucus eyes larger reforms to address inequities
The Illinois Legislative Black CaucusCreating a state agency tasked with focusing on early chil...
SEP 17, 2020
Commonwealth Edison is recovering from the worst storm the company has ever faced, its president said Wednesday.
But that storm had nothing to do with the political firestorm that has brought the utility company negative attention as it continues to face scrutiny for its role in a federal investigation.
But that storm had nothing to do with the political firestorm that has brought the utility company negative attention as it continues to face scrutiny for its role in a federal investigation.
ComEd president reflects on derecho, glosses over federal investigation during panel discussion
Commonwealth Edison is recovering from the worst storm the company has ever faced, its president ...
SEP 16, 2020
Illinois lawmakers should repeal mandatory minimum sentences as part of its efforts to reform the state’s criminal justice system, a correction policy analyst told a legislative committee Tuesday.
Illinois should eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, analyst says
Illinois lawmakers should repeal mandatory minimum sentences as part of its efforts to reform the...
SEP 16, 2020
While at a news conference in Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he’s asked all agency directors to eye budget cuts for the current and upcoming fiscal yearsGov. JB Pritzker informed members of his cabinet Tuesday of the need to prepare for 5% budget cuts for the current fiscal year and a 10% reduction in appropriations for the fiscal year that begins in 2021.
Pritzker orders agency directors to prepare for budget cuts, calls for Congressional action
While at a news conference in Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he’s asked all agency dire...
SEP 15, 2020
Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith addresses reporters. [Hannah Meisel/The Daily Line]Call volume to DCFS abuse hotline plummets during COVID-19 pandemic
Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith addresses reporters. [Hannah Mei...
SEP 14, 2020
The economic uncertainty presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for Illinois to reform its pension system, according to Illinois Policy Institute.
COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for pension reform in Illinois, advocates say
The economic uncertainty presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for Illin...
SEP 11, 2020
Rep. Grant Wehrli expresses frustration after Rep. Chris Welch adjourns a House special investigation committee meeting Thursday that formally initiated a probe into House Speaker Mike MadiganEarly signs of partisan underpinnings were on display Thursday when a special Illinois House of Representatives committee tasked with exploring House Speaker Mike Madigan’s involvement with utility giant Commonwealth Edison unanimously approved a plan to ask federal investigators for guidance on next steps.
Partisanship on display during and after first meeting of special House committee investigating Madigan
Rep. Grant Wehrli expresses frustration after Rep. Chris Welch adjourns a House special investi...
SEP 11, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker said on Thursday, Sept. 10 Illinoisans needed to continue following COVID-19 recommendations or face reality of having to “save the Titanic with a plastic bucket.”TDL Springfield Morning Briefs: Friday, September 11th
Gov. JB Pritzker said on Thursday, Sept. 10 Illinoisans needed to continue following COVID-19 r...
SEP 10, 2020
@David
Our Revolution hosted an online discussion Wednesday with proponents of Illinois’ proposed fair tax
Our Revolution hosted an online discussion Wednesday with proponents of Illinois’ proposed fair taxU.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders-aligned progressive political group Our Revolution held a virtual meeting Tuesday featuring speakers who touted the proposed graduated income tax.
Bernie Sanders-aligned group hosts discussion with proponents of fair tax proposal
@David Our Revolution hosted an online discussion Wednesday with proponents of Illinois’ proposed...
SEP 10, 2020
The start of a special Illinois House of Representatives committee tasked with examining whether House Speaker Mike Madigan improperly helped Commonwealth Edison will begin Thursday, but the panel is expected to do little more than formally initiate the process.
Special House committee to formally begin inquiry into Madigan, ComEd on Thursday
The start of a special Illinois House of Representatives committee tasked with examining whether ...
Bio
Former state govt & legislative reporter for @thedailylineIL, @Tennessean, @wvgazettemail, @charleywest & @capitaljournal
