The struggle at the heart of the CPS standoff – Crain’s

“What’s at stake really isn’t money, at least in the form of pay hikes. The outcome of the standoff will determine who will have the power over Chicago Public Schools—who will control and set priorities…. This confrontation, whether it leads to a strike or not, pivots on both sides’ willingness to change the nature of the relationship between City Hall and one of its major labor unions.

“Lightfoot wants the power to remain where it has resided for decades, with the mayoral-controlled Chicago Board of Education…. The CTU, meanwhile, wants a rewrite…CTU’s demands stem from and in

Read More »

Letters: Mayor Lori Lightfoot should seek bankruptcy authority – Chicago Tribune

Richard Porter, Republican National Committeeman: “[When asked about bankruptcy for Chicago] Lightfoot replied: “That can’t be done legally.” Lightfoot is correct: The legislature in Springfield needs to pass a law to authorize municipal bankruptcies. Lawmakers need to pass a law; that’s what lawmakers do. Indeed, Democrats just passed 591 laws; Lightfoot needs her friends in Springfield to pass one more. She doesn’t need help from President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell or any Republicans; there’s no gridlock preventing this from happening.”

Read More »

Pricey cigars and a VIP room: Suburban cigar lounge a favored hangout for politicians tied to federal investigation – Chicago Sun-Times

Casa De Montecristo Fine Cigars at 1332 W. 55th St., Countryside

If you think smoke-filled back rooms are a thing of the past for Chicago-area politicians, think again.

An upscale cigar shop and lounge in southwest suburban Countryside is proving to be an intriguing — and, until now, little-known — link to political players involved in an ongoing federal corruption investigation.

The business, Casa

Read More »