Strike gains less than 1% over 3 years by idling Bourbonnais students for week
Strike gains less than 1% over 3 years by idling Bourbonnais students for week
The Bourbonnais Education Association walked out, gaining 10.25% over 3 years rather than the 9.5% the district offered before the strike. Students lost a week of school.
By Patrick Andriesen
Political maps get 23 public hearings in April across Illinois
Political maps get 23 public hearings in April across Illinois
Illinois House members scheduled public hearings before they try to redraw the maps showing who serves what area in Congress and the Statehouse. How they can legally create a map in June when Census data will not be out until September remains a question.
By Patrick Andriesen
Study: Illinois among top states to see residents flee
Study: Illinois among top states to see residents flee
A third moving company ranked Illinois as a prime place to abandon during 2020. State leaders can control the exodus if they reform spending.
By Brad Weisenstein
Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Bridgeview incomes
Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Bridgeview incomes
Illinois spent nearly four times faster than Bridgeview incomes grew during the past decade. A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes.
By Bryce Hill
Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules
Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is allowing bars and restaurants to be open later and increase capacity, but city inspectors are looking for COVID-19 rules violations. Five restaurants and bars were just cited.
By Laura Bianchi
Illinois students safe at 3-foot distance, unless they are in Chicago
Illinois students safe at 3-foot distance, unless they are in Chicago
New COVID-19 guidance from Illinois health and education departments allows schools to reduce social distancing to three feet. But the Chicago Teachers Union intends to ‘vigorously’ keep a six-foot distance.
By Patrick Andriesen
Federal stimulus passes with $1,400 for most Illinoisans, $13 B for government
Federal stimulus passes with $1,400 for most Illinoisans, $13 B for government
President Joe Biden on Friday is expected to sign the COVID-19 stimulus bill, with direct payments to most Illinoisans and a significant boost to local and state governments. Illinois can use this opportunity to fix state finances.
By Patrick Andriesen
Survey: Illinois state, local taxes are highest in nation
Survey: Illinois state, local taxes are highest in nation
Illinois households pay nearly $9,500 on average in state and local taxes, which at 15% of their income is the nation’s highest. WalletHub finds gasoline taxes pushed Illinois to No. 1.
Bill would grant police powers to Illinois state lawmakers
Bill would grant police powers to Illinois state lawmakers
“Stop, in the name of the Illinois General Assembly!”
By Patrick Andriesen
Bill would stop Illinois lawmakers from getting public pensions
Bill would stop Illinois lawmakers from getting public pensions
State lawmakers have significantly abused and underfunded their own pension system. Ending it would be a plus, but only a constitutional amendment will stop pension debt from swallowing Illinois.
By Brad Weisenstein
David Halpern: 4 Entertainment Group
David Halpern: 4 Entertainment Group
“I am co-founder of 4 Entertainment Group with my business partners Ben Klopp, Bob Deck and Dan Cronican. We operate 20 bars, including five in Chicago – with another under construction – 14 in Ohio and one in Kentucky. I live in Glenview with my wife and our four children, 7 [twins] to 14.” “For...