Chicago schools mandating masks regardless of COVID-19 shot status

By Noah Shaar

07/26/2021

Chicago Public Schools will require all students and staff to wear masks inside school buildings this fall. CPS’s mask mandate ignored the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines that advise masking indoors only for unvaccinated people.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, masks

Pritzker says Illinois could see more COVID-19 shutdowns

By Patrick Andriesen

07/22/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Illinois could see more shutdowns from COVID-19 after announcing his re-election campaign. He said new restrictions would not repeat preferential treatment of big box retailers over small businesses.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, lockdown

Feds investigate property tax bribery scheme in Cook County

By Patrick Andriesen

07/19/2021

A Board of Review employee claims corruption is rampant in his Cook County office after an FBI affidavit states he was charging $2,000 to lower assessment on commercial properties and $1,000 for homes.

TAGS: bribery, Cook County, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Feds charge former Chicago principal with taking $200,000 in school overtime scheme

By Patrick Andriesen

07/16/2021

A former Chicago Public Schools principal convinced her employees to falsely charge for overtime and give her the money, claiming it would go for school expenses. Charges state she instead paid her mortgage.

TAGS: corruption, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, fraud

Illinois’ legislative watchdog resigns over inability to keep lawmakers in check

By Perry Zhao

07/15/2021

Criticizing the ethics reform measures recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative inspector general called her job a “paper tiger” lacking the independence required to hold lawmakers accountable.

TAGS: Carol Pope, corruption, Legislative Ethics Commission, watchdog

Feds indict Chicago alderman for trading city favors for home improvements

By Patrick Andriesen

07/06/2021

Chicago’s second-longest-serving alderman became the third sitting Chicago City Council member to come under federal indictment. She faces bribery charges.

TAGS: Carrie Austin, Chicago, corruption

Promise of $10 million COVID-19 shot lottery fails to boost vaccinations

By Noah Shaar

07/03/2021

On July 8, Illinois will begin the “All in for the Win” lottery with $10 million in federal funds used as prizes to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. Three weeks after the shot lottery announcement, vaccination rates have dropped by more than half.

TAGS: COVID-19, lottery, vaccine

Got patriotism? Not in Illinois, WalletHub ranking claims

By Noah Shaar

06/25/2021

WalletHub just ranked U.S. states for patriotism and put Illinois at No. 45. Voter turnout, number of veterans and volunteerism were among the measures used to rate Illinois so low.

TAGS: Illinois, patriotism

Starting July 1, computer checks for Illinois car insurance could end in $100 fine

By Noah Shaar

06/22/2021

Illinois drivers on July 1 will face automated computer checks for liability insurance twice a year. Failing to get insurance after the state sends a warning letter could end in a $100 fine.

TAGS: car insurance, Illinois Secretary of State

Chicago allows coach houses after 64-year ban, but with restrictions

By Noah Shaar

06/21/2021

Chicago issued permits for about 160 coach houses and granny flats after banning the alternative housing for decades. But restrictions may damage the experiment, especially in areas that most need affordable housing.

TAGS: affordable housing, Chicago, zoning