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Chicago Tribune: Wake up, Metra. You're on the wrong track.
Metra is mulling changes to the way it imposes fares on riders. Ideas include discounted fares for off-peak hours, making commuters close to downtown pay more, letting commuters in far-flung suburbs pay less. One thing endures: the agency’s barrage of fare hikes — one every year, for 10 years.
Riders are heading into Year 4 of the incremental price hikes. In 2018, Metra plans to raise fares on one-way tickets by 25 cents, and 10-ride passes by $4.25 to $7.75. The increase in monthly passes ranges from $9 to $12.50.
Chicago Sun-Times: City snowplow, garbage truck drivers reach tentative contract
A strike by city snowplow drivers has been averted — at least for now.
A strike vote set for Sunday was canceled after negotiators for the city and Teamsters Local 700 agreed to a tentative contract late Saturday night.
Daily Herald: Charter group leader talks about Elgin school's progress
The group opening an Elgin charter school is close to finalizing a contract to hire a principal, officials said.
In October, a state panel sanctioned the Elgin Math and Science Academy charter school primarily to serve at-risk students in the area. The decision reversed Elgin Area School District U-46’s denial of the proposal in June.
Peoria Journal-Star: Commission cancellations mean a slowdown for Peoria development
January in Peoria can be frigid, and not just the weather.
A couple of city commissions that can be decent harbingers of growth in local business, retail and entertainment sectors had a quiet month.
Champaign News-Gazette: Assessor's action sparks inquiry
There’s a bigger issue involved in the Cunningham Township controversy than just the questionable dismissals of two employees of the assessor’s office.
If Wayne Williams was looking to make a big splash in his new role as the assessor of Cunningham Township (which covers the same area as the city of Urbana), he certainly succeeded.
If he was trying to make a positive impression on the public he serves, well, that’s another story.