Steven Blake
Steven Blake
"Rain or shine, hot or cold, I’m out here. My customers tell me they’re so glad I’m back. My presence brings a sense of normalcy back.”
Pritzker offers National Guard if Chicago cops’ COVID-19 vax statuses thin ranks
Pritzker offers National Guard if Chicago cops’ COVID-19 vax statuses thin ranks
With Chicago Police officers refusing to report their COVID-19 vaccination statuses, city streets soon could go unprotected. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is offering to call out the National Guard to keep order.
What you need to know about giving unions special treatment in Illinois’ constitution
What you need to know about giving unions special treatment in Illinois’ constitution
If passed by voters in November 2022, an amendment to the Illinois Constitution would allow collective bargaining agreements to override state law forever. That gives more power to union bosses than to state lawmakers – and voters.
Chicago leaves 3,300 students stranded without a school bus ride
Chicago leaves 3,300 students stranded without a school bus ride
Chicago Public Schools’ shortage of school bus drivers has gotten worse. Sending kids to school with a rideshare driver makes some parents nervous.
Chicago police union fighting Lightfoot COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Chicago police union fighting Lightfoot COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Chicago’s police union is planning to challenge Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate and encouraging officers to ignore demands to report their vaccination status by Oct. 15. Only about 25% of police are vaccinated.
Katie Vandenberg
Katie Vandenberg
"Peoria created an annual pension fee. Homeowners might pay $30-40 annually while commercial owners or landlords might pay $150-250."
Vicki Granacki
Vicki Granacki
“I have good relationships with my tenants, so I do everything I can to help them. My husband and I hoped to pass the building on to our son, yet these taxes put business and property owners in a tough spot.”
Illinois state lawmakers get a little more ethical, but a lot more is needed
Illinois state lawmakers get a little more ethical, but a lot more is needed
The new Illinois ethics law brings a little change to the nation’s second-most corrupt state, but what is needed are the stronger reforms lawmakers promised after ousting scandal-plagued former House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Lightfoot lets Chicago workers out of vaccine mandate if they pay to get tested until 2022
Lightfoot lets Chicago workers out of vaccine mandate if they pay to get tested until 2022
Unvaccinated Chicago city employees must be tested twice a week, at their own expense, to avoid losing their paychecks.
Ep. 7: Fact-checking Chicago’s budget with Adam Schuster
Ep. 7: Fact-checking Chicago’s budget with Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Pritzker says continued COVID decline could end his mask mandate
Pritzker says continued COVID decline could end his mask mandate
Gov. J.B. Pritzker hinted Illinoisans could see indoor mask mandates lifted if state coronavirus transmissions continue to fall. He wouldn’t give a specific target.
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago might spend $32 million on the nation’s largest test of universal basic income. What happens after that year is one question, as is whether handing out cash will truly fix anything.
Pritzker’s covid goalposts
Pritzker’s covid goalposts
Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition
Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition
Private schools will be granted a 60-day probation to address COVID-19 compliance issues in line with public school standards under ISBE’s updated policy. Nonrecognized schools were put on probation status Oct. 1.