Cook County isn’t buying soda tax health concerns

By Brendan Bakala

09/13/2017

A We Ask America poll shows 87.5 percent of respondents think Cook County commissioners support the sweetened beverage tax for reasons other than health.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, soda tax, taxes, Toni Preckwinkle

State, federal lawmakers pave the way for self-driving cars in Illinois

By Amy Korte

09/08/2017

As Illinois’ state government and the federal government move toward promoting the development of autonomous vehicles, Chicago aldermen are taking a combative stance against the budding industry.

TAGS: autonomous vehicles, Bruce Rauner, Chicago, driverless cars, Ed Burke, regulations

Voters could flex their muscles after sticker shock from soda tax

By Chris Lentino

09/07/2017

Recent polls show Cook County officials could face electoral backlash for supporting the soda tax.

TAGS: Chicago, soda tax, taxes

Chicago moves to ban sale of single servings of alcohol after midnight

By Brendan Bakala

09/02/2017

The proposal would prohibit retailers from selling single servings of alcohol after midnight in a questionable move to fight panhandling and public intoxication.

TAGS: alcohol tax, ban, Chicago

The end of Uber in Chicago? Ordinance would require fingerprinting of rideshare drivers and limit surge pricing

By Brendan Bakala

09/02/2017

The ordinance was pushed through committee by taxi industry ally Alderman Anthony Beale, 9th Ward.

TAGS: Lyft, rideshare, sharing economy, taxis, Uber

Rauner signs bill to establish sexual assault evidence tracking system

By Amy Korte

08/29/2017

A new law to create a commission to develop a statewide system to track evidence in sexual assault cases could result in swifter justice for crime victims and increased accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, criminal justice reform

Report: More than one-third of Chicago city workers make more than $100K annually

By Brendan Bakala

08/29/2017

Median pay for city workers was nearly $93,000 in 2016.

TAGS: Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

Rauner signs bill to end arrests for being seen with alleged gang members

By Brendan Bakala

08/24/2017

House Bill 3803 changes Illinois’ criminal code so that people on parole and probation no longer have to fear arrest for merely having contact with gang members.

TAGS: criminal justice reform

7-Eleven’s “Bring Your Own Cup Day” not happening in Chicago due to sweetened beverage tax

By Brendan Bakala

08/12/2017

The convenience store chain has been sued over its application of Cook County’s new sweetened beverage tax, and will skip the county in its Slurpee promotional.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, soda tax

Madigan calls session on Governor’s Day

08/10/2017

The House speaker’s spokesman claims the session is not a political move.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Mike Madigan

Chicago Sun-Times

Cook County isn’t buying soda tax health concerns

State, federal lawmakers pave the way for self-driving cars in Illinois

Voters could flex their muscles after sticker shock from soda tax

Chicago moves to ban sale of single servings of alcohol after midnight

The end of Uber in Chicago? Ordinance would require fingerprinting of rideshare drivers and limit surge pricing

Rauner signs bill to establish sexual assault evidence tracking system

Report: More than one-third of Chicago city workers make more than $100K annually

Rauner signs bill to end arrests for being seen with alleged gang members

7-Eleven’s “Bring Your Own Cup Day” not happening in Chicago due to sweetened beverage tax

Madigan calls session on Governor’s Day

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students