WSIL: Food Stamp Enrollment Reaches Record High in Illinois
New data shows a spike in the number of food stamp applications in Illinois. According to the Department of Human Services, an additional 37,500 people signed up for food stamps last month. That means nearly one in four households in Illinois now rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Built in Chicago: 5 CEOs, founders and executives predict what's next for Chicago tech in 2015
Five Chicago CEOs, founders and executives generously gave us their thoughts on the future of Chicago tech. Overall they were quite optimistic on the future of Chicago tech, seeing the industry overcoming even its biggest challenges in 2015. Their thoughts range from venture capital flow to rising companies, and everything in between.
Chicago Tribune: GOP lawmaker proposes statewide ban on red light cameras
A Republican state lawmaker filed legislation to outlaw traffic enforcement cameras statewide in the wake of a Tribune investigation into Chicago’s controversial red light program, but it faces an uncertain future in a legislature controlled by Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Democratic allies.
Rep. David McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican and longtime camera opponent, cited the Tribune’s recent investigation showing the Chicago program failed to deliver on longtime safety claims.
“It’s very clear that these cameras are a way for local governments to raise money,” said McSweeney, who filed the bill last week. “And obviously Rahm Emanuel has taken it to its extreme.”
Daily Herald: COD board says yes to $762,000 Breuder severance deal
College of DuPage President Robert Breuder is due to receive a $762,000 buyout package when he retires in 2016 under terms of a four-page agreement approved Thursday by the college’s board of trustees.
Breuder, the college’s president since January 2009, will be paid nearly three times his base salary when he retires March 31, 2016. His last contract had him working into 2019, but he said in a letter to the board, “With age comes the inevitable reality that time is precious.”
COD trustees met for an hour and a half in closed session Thursday night, without Breuder in the room, before taking a 6-1 vote in open session to approve the buyout package. Board Vice Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton was the lone “no” vote.
Chicago Sun Times: Rauner previews state of state address, promises 'biggest turnaround in America'
Gov. Bruce Rauner told a group of University of Chicago students on Thursday that he’s planning to propose a number of reforms to get an “Illinois turnaround” implemented.
“This is arguably the biggest turnaround in America today, and certainly it’s the biggest turnaround that I’ve ever been associated with,” Rauner told a group of about 80 Booth School of Business students.
Also Thursday, Rauner announced three appointments to his “turnaround team.”
NBC Chicago: New Law Gives School Administrators Access to Students' Social Media Accounts
In an effort to stop cyberbullying, a new Illinois law allows school administrators access to students’ social media accounts.
The new state legislation went into effect Jan. 1 and requires students to hand over the passwords to their Facebook and Twitter accounts if asked by school officials.
That is if the school has “reasonable cause” to believe the social network accounts could show activity that provides evidence of cyberbullying, according to Fox’s St. Louis affiliate station.