Bill Powell
Bill Powell
"It’s truly ridiculous to realize that unions trump state law. There are some things in the contracts that impede disciplinary reforms."
Illinois lawmakers want to outlaw fishing with sharp objects along highways
Illinois lawmakers want to outlaw fishing with sharp objects along highways
Recent Illinois House votes aim to protect the state and its residents from pitchfork fishing along highways and from releasing too many balloons. The state’s big problems remain ignored.
Illinois may outlaw balloon releases of 50 and up, up and away
Illinois may outlaw balloon releases of 50 and up, up and away
Illinoisans planning a balloon release will need to count carefully. State lawmakers voted to fine repeat offenders who wantonly release 50 or more balloons.
Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities
Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities
Both police reform advocates and law enforcement supporters face the same serious obstacle in Illinois: police union contracts include provisions protecting officers from discipline. Those contracts carry more weight than state law.
Exposing insider politics of red-light cameras is aim of Illinois bill
Exposing insider politics of red-light cameras is aim of Illinois bill
After paying $1 billion in red-light camera fees, Illinoisans deserve to know more about how the devices are being pushed with their local political leaders.
Illinois law lets police union contracts overpower state law
Illinois law lets police union contracts overpower state law
If the Illinois General Assembly wants to see true police reforms, it must first change the state law that gives police union contracts more power than public laws and regulations. Without that change, reforms become empty intentions.
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!”
Chicago speed cameras write 1 ticket every 12 seconds
Chicago speed cameras write 1 ticket every 12 seconds
Revenue projections estimate red-light cameras will generate 2.7 million $35 tickets in a full year, bringing in $95.5 million for the city.
Chicago’s speed cameras start churning out $35 tickets March 1
Chicago’s speed cameras start churning out $35 tickets March 1
Chicago’s mayor said speed cameras will enforce a lowered tolerance March 1 as a way to curb traffic fatalities. Critics see the $35 tickets as a money grab when residents are still reeling from the COVID-19 economic downturn.
Chicago’s traffic cameras to ticket drivers going 6 mph over speed limit
Chicago’s traffic cameras to ticket drivers going 6 mph over speed limit
The proposal comes a year after mayor pledged to provide relief to residents from regressive fees. She said the move is about safety, but Chicago is seeking cash.
Taking a photo of your filled-in ballot is a felony in Illinois
Taking a photo of your filled-in ballot is a felony in Illinois
State lawmakers across the country have struggled to square ballot secrecy with the advent of smartphones and social media.
DuPage County voters will decide ballot question on defunding police
DuPage County voters will decide ballot question on defunding police
Amid nationwide calls to defund the police, voters in DuPage County can make their voices heard by voting on two advisory referendums.
Pritzker gets OK to treat businesses as criminals for failing to enforce his COVID-19 mask order
Pritzker gets OK to treat businesses as criminals for failing to enforce his COVID-19 mask order
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker again turned to criminal penalties to gain compliance with his coronavirus mandates. He is targeting business owners when customers and staff fail to wear masks.
To reform policing, Illinois must rehabilitate its errant labor laws
To reform policing, Illinois must rehabilitate its errant labor laws
A police union contract that protects deviant officers while muzzling those who wish to serve honorably is one set up to fail the public.