Rhetoric, reality at odds in Springfield sexual harassment scandal
Rhetoric, reality at odds in Springfield sexual harassment scandal
Bad actors in Springfield continue to be dealt with behind closed doors.
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke wants to fine pedestrians up to $500 for ‘distracted walking’
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke wants to fine pedestrians up to $500 for ‘distracted walking’
The proposal would fine pedestrians $90 for checking their phone at city intersections and $500 for the offense of being distracted.
Rauner: Expectation vs. Reality
Rauner: Expectation vs. Reality
Illinois General Assembly passes cursive writing mandate
Illinois General Assembly passes cursive writing mandate
Despite the potential for imposing new costs on school districts, Illinois lawmakers overrode Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto on a bill mandating cursive writing instruction.
Rahm’s Mr. Pennybags disguise
Rahm’s Mr. Pennybags disguise
Former University of Illinois athletic director’s pension to climb past $500K a year
Former University of Illinois athletic director’s pension to climb past $500K a year
Six years into retirement, Ron Guenther’s annual pension is more than $470,000 and is set to rise even higher, thanks to 3 percent yearly increases.
Normal property taxes rise to fuel pensions
Normal property taxes rise to fuel pensions
Despite increases in city contributions to both its police and fire pension funds, Normal, Illinois’, unfunded police and fire pension liabilities are growing.
Cook County local government debt hits $139 billion
Cook County local government debt hits $139 billion
Cook County governments have now amassed $139 billion in debt, a 30 percent increase over the last 5 years.
House again fails to ban local Right to Work
House again fails to ban local Right to Work
The Illinois House’s failure to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto is a victory for local leaders trying to attract good jobs for their communities.
As other states repeal, Illinois death tax remains
As other states repeal, Illinois death tax remains
Both Delaware and New Jersey have joined a growing trend away from estate taxes at the state level.
Phony property tax freeze introduced in Springfield
Phony property tax freeze introduced in Springfield
The politically motivated freeze would not address key cost drivers or protect Illinois homeowners from property tax increases.
Under Illinois strike laws, everyone loses
Under Illinois strike laws, everyone loses
Palatine-area District 15 support staff returned to work at the end of October, following a two-week strike. But workers are still without a contract, making the strike nothing more than a show of union muscle at the expense of workers, students and parents.
Chicago’s Amazon bid
Chicago’s Amazon bid
House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905
House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905
An amendment has been filed in the Illinois House of Representatives that would remove language making local government officials criminals simply for enacting Right-to-Work laws. But significant problems remain.