Chicago on pace to have fewest drug arrests since Nixon era – Sun-Times
May 8, 2016
No Comments
For a variety of reasons.
-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Track curtails season as Illinois horse racing woes persist – A.P.
May 8, 2016
No Comments
Industry boosters are still advocating for a change in state law to allow for slot machines at horse tracks. But such changes are unlikely as Illinois lawmakers have yet to adopt a budget for a fiscal year that’s nearly over.
Does the Illinois Constitution prohibit taxpayer relief from pension promises? – WP Guest
May 8, 2016
6 Comments
By: Joe Mathewson* As the need for taxpayer relief from the unconscionable debts our elected leaders have amassed becomes more and more acute, two questions arise: 1. When will the Illinois legislature, due to adjourn at the end of May, address (and pass!) the necessary permissive legislation to authorize municipalities, including school districts and other special districts, to file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code? The City of Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools and other debt-ridden municipalities have offered no plans for taxpayer relief, much less actual payment of these impossible obligations,
Legislatures seek limits on phone-tracking technology – A.P.
May 8, 2016
No Comments
Illinois is among states around the country trying to set rules for the suitcase-sized cell-site simulators, also known as Stingrays. They are capable of capturing data for hundreds or thousands of cellphones in a particular neighborhood – not just the cellphone police are after.
Illinois Education funding crisis is worse than you think – Kankakee Daily Journal
May 8, 2016
No Comments
Momence Superintendent Gary Miller is joining a number of top school officials statewide saying: Yes, it could happen here. If lawmakers in Springfield are unable to pass a budget again this year the schools in Momence could close by January. Comment: Wake up, Illinois. The entire fiscal crisis across the state is worse than you think.
Work 1,000 hours a year for pension? Several Sangamon County Board members didn’t know – State Journal-Register
May 8, 2016
No Comments
More than half of the Sangamon County Board members are enrolled in a pension system mostly intended for full-time employees of local governments, which would require them to work hundreds of hours per year in that role. But several board members say they didn’t even know about the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension’s work requirement, which is 600 or 1,000 hours of time each year.
One more burden, and Chicago businesses might break – Opinion – Crain’s Chicago Business
May 8, 2016
No Comments
Let’s hope the City Council doesn’t heap yet another burden on job creators with a well-meaning but ill-thought-out law requiring employers to offer five days of paid sick leave a year to employees.
Mayors Angry at Tax Cap Plan – Alton Daily News
May 8, 2016
No Comments
A dozen or so suburban mayors told lawmakers earlier this week not to freeze property taxes. They said property tax is one of the only ways they can afford police and fire pensions.