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WBEZ: From Budget Impasse To Pop Tax: Illinois’ Biggest Political Stories In 2017
A ton of action went down in the local political arena this year, and it could have some far-reaching consequences for the state. To recap it all, Morning Shift turned to some of the best political reporters in town: Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington, Chicago Tonight reporter Paris Schutz, and WBEZ senior political editor Alex Keefe.
We asked them what were this year’s biggest stories, what were the most underreported, and who were the winners and losers.
Chicago Sun-Times: Abuse claims of Human Services residents up, reviews slower
Allegations of abuse and neglect of developmentally disabled and mentally ill residents under the care of the Illinois Department of Human Services have increased by half since 2010 and the time it takes to investigate them has grown, too, an audit released last week found.
The report by Auditor General Frank Mautino discovered that abuse and neglect complaints jumped to 3,698 in the year that ended June 30, compared with 2,468 seven years earlier.
Northwest Herald: Cary School District 26 Board takes another bite out of debt obligations
Cary School District 26 is reducing the debt that taxpayers have to pay off over the next seven years.
The district board unanimously approved a bond defeasance plan Dec. 18 that is expected to save the owner of a $300,000 home more than $650 in property taxes between now and 2023.
Northwest Herald: Algonquin trustees approve $9.1 million contract for downtown improvements
Village trustees are hoping that a multimillion-dollar investment in streetscape improvements will revitalize Algonquin’s downtown area and make it a “destination” for businesses and pedestrians.
The Village Board recently approved a $9.1 million contract with Rosemont-based Burke LLC, which will handle design, bidding and contractor selection for the revitalization plan, Assistant Village Manager Mike Kumbera said.