Chicago Tribune: No hope of change in Illinois
President Barack Obama will visit Springfield on Wednesday, marking nine years since he launched his historic campaign for president there.
Obama campaigned on the theme of hope and change. Like him or not, he delivered on the “change” part. But here in the president’s home state, the mantra for Democrats is “More of the same.”
Every time Gov. Bruce Rauner puts forward a proposal, it is immediately stonewalled by a powerful group of Illinois politicians and special interests who view his governorship and ideas as a threat to their livelihoods. They oppose Rauner on all fronts, even if members of their own party back the ideas he’s pushing.
WFLD: Chicago teen's death shines light on police code of silence
For more than a year after an officer shot and killed a black teen named Laquan McDonald, the Chicago Police Department had video footage that raised serious doubts about whether other officers at the scene tried in their reports to cover up what prosecutors now contend was murder.
Not until 15 months later was one of those officers and a detective who concluded the shooting was justified put on desk duty. At least eight other officers failed to recount the same scene that unfolded on the video. All of them remain on the street, according to the department.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago's gas prices enjoy rare, extended dip below U.S. average
Chicago gas prices have taken a rare 11-day trip below the national average — their longest in 15 years.
As of Monday, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded cost just $1.67, 7 cents less than the national average of $1.74.
It’s only the third time since 2007 that Chicago motorists have paid less than the typical U.S. driver to fill up. And the 11 days that the Chicago area has been below the national average is the longest since GasBuddy.com started compiling data in 2001, according to analyst Patrick DeHaan.
Chicago Tribune: Citing Airbnb, Lincolnwood passes restrictive regulations on short-term rentals
Lincolnwood recently passed new regulations restricting property owners from renting out homes for short periods of time, citing complaints linked to rental apps like AirBnb.
A raucous Super Bowl party hosted in a Lincolnwood home last year rented through the popular short-term rental service set off a discussion among village officials on how to regulate such services.
“People rented the house out for a party one night—it was a big house and it was a blowout party, and that was what the neighbors were complaining about,” Village Manager Tim Wiberg said during the Feb. 2 Village Board meeting. “The people at the party wanted to party at a house they didn’t have to worry about owning.”
WUIS: Diversion Programs Pinched By Lack Of Illinois Budget
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to reduce the state’s prison population by twenty-five percent in the next 10 years. But the state’s budget impasse is putting ex-offenders at greater risk of returning to prison.
Adult Redeploy Illinois saves taxpayers money by paying local governments to provide services that keep people out of prison. But one county’s program has shut down and more may follow.