Burke to the future: Chicago alderman wants to ban self-driving cars
Burke to the future: Chicago alderman wants to ban self-driving cars
Alderman Ed Burke argued in favor of a ban on driverless cars with a movie clip from “Back to the Future.”
Harvey pension crisis shows why local governments need a 401(k) option
Harvey pension crisis shows why local governments need a 401(k) option
The Harvey, Illinois, firefighters’ nearly bankrupt pension fund makes up just one part of Illinois’ combined $267 billion in state and local pension liabilities.
Rauner vetoes proposal for state-owned workers’ compensation insurance provider
Rauner vetoes proposal for state-owned workers’ compensation insurance provider
House Bill 2622 would create a state-run workers’ compensation insurance company, while failing to address the real problems with Illinois’ workers’ compensation system – the most expensive in the region.
DAILY LINKS / 8.23.2017
Chicago Tribune: Madigan calls off Wednesday session in Springfield; no override vote of Rauner for now Crain's Chicago Business: The data behind CPS' hemorrhaging finances WTTW Chicago Tonight: Civic Federation: TIFs Are Good for Chicago Public Schools State Journal-Register: School funding debate delays Peoria Road TIF approval process Rockford Register-Star: Borrowing to pay state bills is OK, says rating agency WTTW Chicago Tonight: Toni Preckwinkle Discusses Cook County Soda Tax Pushback Chicago Tribune: After 3 kids die despite DCFS involvement, it urges faster probes Chicago Tribune: Trial underway in lawsuit filed by ex-State Treasurer Rutherford aides Crain's Chicago Business: Illinoisans getting Foxconn jobs? Not likely, Walker aide says CHicago Tribune: Jackson Park advocates voice worries about Obama center planning Bloomington Pantagraph: Officials grapple with widening opioid epidemic Belleville News-Democrat: Developers expect Hofbräuhaus to open soon but can’t say exactly when Belleville News-Democrat: Oliver Hamilton says 5-year sentence is too long. Appellate court says do it all. Belleville News-Democrat: Politician gets big payday, but no checks for village cops, clerks The Southern: Tax redemption puts Grand Tower Power Plant appeal back in the spotlightReverse Robin Hood
Reverse Robin Hood
Chicago TIFs take nearly $500M in yearly tax revenues away from other local governments
Chicago TIFs take nearly $500M in yearly tax revenues away from other local governments
Since 2006, Chicago Public Schools has been deprived of $2.5 billion in property tax revenue that has been diverted to Chicago TIF districts.
After soda tax, Preckwinkle doles out premium perks and bonuses
After soda tax, Preckwinkle doles out premium perks and bonuses
After threatening thousands of job cuts, President Preckwinkle agrees to a lucrative contract with one of Cook County’s unions.
AFSCME stall tactics are all political – and they’re costing Illinoisans millions
AFSCME stall tactics are all political – and they’re costing Illinoisans millions
Illinois’ largest government worker union is likely stalling contract negotiations in hopes of dealing with a new governor in 2019.
Chicago aldermen fail to attend committee meetings nearly half the time
Chicago aldermen fail to attend committee meetings nearly half the time
Committee meetings are a critical step in the legislative process, yet aldermen skip them almost half the time.
Chicago City Council records reveal severe shortage of serious legislation
Chicago City Council records reveal severe shortage of serious legislation
Substantive ordinances make up less than 2 percent of all legislation considered by the current City Council over the past two years.
Moody’s warns delay of state funding for Illinois schools a ‘credit negative’
Moody’s warns delay of state funding for Illinois schools a ‘credit negative’
School funding is locked up due to the current fight in Springfield over the state’s new education funding formula and the bailout of Chicago Public Schools it contains.
Government consolidation gains momentum, but there’s more to be done
Government consolidation gains momentum, but there’s more to be done
Illinois is taking small steps toward consolidating some of its duplicitous local governments, but bold reforms are needed to start addressing the state’s nearly 7,000 taxing bodies, the most in the nation.
Cook County officials claim resolution of food stamp soda tax problems
Cook County officials claim resolution of food stamp soda tax problems
Retailers will now have to either program cash registers not to tax purchases made with food stamps, or implement a “manual override.”
Manny Cunningham
Manny Cunningham
“Every morning, I’m in the car by 5:15 a.m. to come here and teach these kids how to work in construction. “I do it because I love my job. I’m happy every day when I come to work. But I also do it because they risk everything to come here. And a lot of times...