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Sun-Times: Where are they now? Catching up with mayor’s former aides
David Spielfogel, the former senior adviser and confidant to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is raising a small fund to start up several technology companies that tackle significant urban challenges.
He’s among the former mayoral aides finding nice landing pads after leaving the 5th floor bunker of City Hall. Their new careers may seem like a vacation, given they worked for a man known for wanting results yesterday. But City Hall jobs are stepping stones too.
“It was grueling but the environment sharpens your intellect in a way few experiences can. We were in the thick of it, and we were a family. The senior team literally spent every day with the mayor and each other for four years,” says former Chief of Staff Lisa Schrader, now a senior vice president at Hill & Knowlton Strategies. She was part of a core group of aides and advisers who started with Emanuel when he was elected in 2011. They’ve all moved on or moved to other areas of government over the past five-plus years.
Daily Herald: Top Republican lawmaker resigns suddenly citing "cyber security issues"
State Rep. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican and vocal legislative ally of Gov. Bruce Rauner, is resigning from the Illinois House after saying he’s had “cyber security issues” in recent days.
Sandack had been facing a re-election race in November and is well known in Illinois politics for his heavy use of Twitter and Facebook, as well as his role as a floor leader for Republicans in the Illinois House.
Sun-Times: CPS offers appeals for shrinking, confusing school budgets
As Chicago Public School principals contend with about $140 million less than they had to spend a year ago, the district said will accept formal appeals for more money starting Aug. 1.
At least 60 schools have already asked for a share of $8 million pot intended to fill gaps where enrollment has plummeted from last year or for high schools where enrollment is already so small — below about 270 students — that they need help offering a full roster of classes.
Daily Herald: Rauner signs plans aimed at curbing local government costs
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday signed legislation from a bipartisan duo of suburban lawmakers geared toward cutting local government costs.
One new law was sparked by the reporting of Daily Herald columnist Jake Griffin and would limit spending on travel for local officials and prohibit using taxpayer money for entertainment costs.
Chicago Tribune: Local, rail officials won't get $110 million grant for South Side projects
Local transportation and rail officials will have to look for a new pot of money to untangle car and rail traffic on Chicago’s South Side after the federal government rejected a $110 million grant request.
The Illinois Department of Transportation, together with Cook County, Chicago and theChicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning had applied for a grant under the Fastlane program to create grade separations at Archer and Kenton avenues, 95th Street and Eggleston Avenue, and Columbus and Maplewood avenues. The goal was to build underpasses or overpasses to separate cars from freight traffic.