Illinois’ housing recovery still trails rest of nation
Illinois’ housing recovery still trails rest of nation
High property tax bills suppress Illinois housing demand, slowing average growth in home values when compared to the rest of the nation.
CTU: Read this
CTU: Read this
Chicago Teachers Union on strike for third time in 7 years
Chicago Teachers Union on strike for third time in 7 years
After rejecting an offer based on recommendations of a neutral third-party report, Illinois’ largest teachers’ union walked out on their students Oct. 17.
DAILY LINKS / 10.22.2019
Chicago Tribune: CPS strike updates: ‘Glimmers of progress’ but then it ‘stopped dead,’ says Chicago Teachers Union president Chicago Sun-Times: Sen. Elizabeth Warren to join Chicago teachers on picket line Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker releases $23.5 billion multiyear transportation plan for upcoming road projects throughout Illinois Chicago Tribune: While she mulls the property tax hike question, Lightfoot proposes hiking parking meter, Uber and restaurant taxes, fees Chicago Sun-Times: City debt refinancing not a ‘scoop and toss’ with long-term pain, finance chief says WBEZ: Cook County Prez: No Tax Hike To Aid Forest Preserves Chicago Tribune: Watchdog: County Health senior officials’ hefty raises exceeded caps, should be discontinued Northwest Herald: Grafton Township board OKs 15% levy reduction, abatement Daily Herald: Buffalo Grove trustees hear recreational pot outcry past midnight, then vote to allow sales Bloomington Pantagraph: Bloomington City Council will vote next week on whether to start zoning process to regulate cannabis sales Decatur Herald & Review: Decatur council moves to tear down 24 homes on demo listCTU is out on strike: 6 things you need to know
CTU is out on strike: 6 things you need to know
The Chicago Teachers Union went on strike despite an offer that would boost average pay to nearly $100,000. Here’s who is getting hurt and the true costs of the strike.
Lightfoot proposes $40M tax hike on solo Uber, Lyft rides in downtown Chicago
Lightfoot proposes $40M tax hike on solo Uber, Lyft rides in downtown Chicago
The mayor proposed tripling ride-sharing taxes and fees on solo passengers downtown, on top of other increases, as the city confronts a nearly $1 billion budget deficit and a costly contract dispute with the nation’s third-largest teachers’ union.
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost. Now it would rather strike than deal with the winner.
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost. Now it would rather strike than deal with the winner.
Chicago Teachers Union backed Toni Preckwinkle for mayor of Chicago, donating nearly $300,000 to her campaign. But Lori Lightfoot won – and now CTU is on strike for the third time in seven years despite her generous offer.
2 Cook County commissioners each collect over $100K from Chicago Teachers Union
2 Cook County commissioners each collect over $100K from Chicago Teachers Union
Records show two Cook County Board members representing Chicago-area districts have each collected more than $100,000 from the Chicago Teachers Union atop their $85,000 commissioner salaries.
Chicago dominates competition for most red-light cameras
Chicago dominates competition for most red-light cameras
Chicago has more red-light cameras and revenue from them than any other large city in America. The cameras are costly for drivers, create government mistrust and foster corruption.
Illinois law makes teacher strikes easiest in Chicago out of 10 largest U.S. school districts
Illinois law makes teacher strikes easiest in Chicago out of 10 largest U.S. school districts
Teacher strikes are illegal in 8 of the top 10 largest school districts in the nation. Maybe that’s why the Chicago Teachers Union is on strike for the third time in seven years.
Chicago Teachers Union demands: more
Chicago Teachers Union demands: more
Chicago teachers’ strike, salary demands ignore what Chicagoans can afford
Chicago teachers’ strike, salary demands ignore what Chicagoans can afford
During the past 10 years, the median salary for a Chicago teacher has grown 75% faster than the median salary for private-sector Chicago workers.
Pension crisis forces firehouse closure, 9 firefighter layoffs in East St. Louis
Pension crisis forces firehouse closure, 9 firefighter layoffs in East St. Louis
East St. Louis is short $9.5 million between a budget deficit and back payments owed to its fire and police pensions. As a result, city leaders are closing a firehouse and laying off nine firefighters.
Red-light camera backlash gains bipartisan momentum in Springfield
Red-light camera backlash gains bipartisan momentum in Springfield
Driver headaches and corruption flow from red-light cameras. Two bills with bipartisan support would ban the traffic devices in Illinois.