Cook County chief judge withheld key court data; under Tribune pressure, he’s reversed that policy – Chicago Tribune
Comment: Salute to the Tribune on this. Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans for nearly two decades has had a policy of restricting the public’s access to digital criminal court records. Last month, after the Tribune filed a legal challenge, Evans announced he was reversing his policy and
Redistricting reform gets bipartisan push – Capitol News
Under the coalition’s proposal, 17 commission members would be appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court. Additional details of the proposal follow.
Chicago aldermen move to try to tighten up rules on outside employment for city officials – Chicago Tribune
The City Council Ethics Committee passed an ordinance designed to prevent commissioners and others in city departments who have decision-making power on who gets lucrative government deals from working for firms that are subcontractors on projects they oversee.
Franks tells McHenry County Board: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ – Daily Herald
Thursday McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks maintained his innocence and asked that citizens reserve their judgment while Illinois State Police investigate allegations of sexual misconduct. Franks has not been charged, but he has been banned from entering the state Capitol Building without a police escort.
Progressive tax opponent skeptical progressive income tax will help reduce Illinois’ high property taxes – Center Square
Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise, who opposes the progressive income tax plan, said nowhere in the proposed progressive tax amendment does it mention it will help lower property taxes.
Bipartisan group of lawmakers, advocacy groups push for Illinois fair map amendment – Center Square
In Illinois, politicians control how legislative boundaries are drawn every ten years. This type of redistricting has been criticized as politicians picking their voters rather than voters picking their politicians.
Who Will Want To Be A Millionaire In Illinois? – ZeroHedge
A republication of our Wirepoints article.
Durbin renews charge against cotton bailouts – 1IL
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is renewing charges that President Trump’s farm trade bailouts are going unfairly to Southern cotton farmers and not to soybean growers truly hurt by the president’s tariff war with China.
Sanders endorses progressive lightning rod Chicago DA Kim Foxx – Politico
Why the Lincoln Park High School administrators were fired – Chicago Sun-Times
CPS officials told representatives at a meeting that school officials minimized sex misconduct allegations, didn’t protect whistleblowers or alleged victims from bullying, withheld key evidence from investigators and lied to families, sources with knowledge of the meeting told the Sun-Times.
The ‘White Elephant World’ Of Funding Sports Stadiums Is Burying Cities In Debt – Bisnow
Op-Ed: More than corn in Indiana? Illinois needs to stop driving residents next door – Chicago Sun-Times
“The only way property taxes can go down — and homeownership can be worth the high monthly costs – is for lawmakers to do that aforementioned listening and get the state’s biggest expense under control.”
Wisconsin moves ahead with later bar hours for convention – A.P.
Lawmakers introduce new real estate transfer tax proposal for Chicago – TheRealDeal
Illinoisans want cleaner state government more than great schools, less crime – Illinois Policy Institute
Two new analyses underscore how large corruption truly looms over every move in Springfield. And they point toward a path forward.
Yanking out the chair? Bill would strip criminally charged legislators from key posts- Chicago Sun-Times
Under state Sen. Melinda Bush’s bill, “it doesn’t become a decision of the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House,” the Grayslake Democrat said. “It’s just a matter of fact, a matter of law.”
Illinois Is Giving UIS $15 Million For Proposed Building In Downtown Springfield – NPR Illinois
UIS’s Innovation Center would be one hub in the larger Innovation District described by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office when he announced $500 million in state capital funding for the project Wednesday. University officials, though, have been scant on details so far.
Calculating the Californication – City Journal
“Politicians in high-tax states claim that taxes don’t drive people out, but their constituents disagree: in the Berkeley poll, 58 percent of those considering leaving California said that high taxes were one reason….”
Chicago’s Bonds Aren’t Akin to Puerto Rico’s – Letter – Wall Street Journal
“Chicago has been clear that the proceeds will repay higher-cost debt. That’s not a con but the equivalent of refinancing a mortgage to help pay for a child’s education.”
Opportunity zones floundering in Chicago. No Surprise. – Quicktake
With Opportunity Zones, we got what looks like an attempt to reinforce the worst stereotypes of both parties – greedy Republicans handing a pointless tax break to the rich, and reality-challenged Democrats wasting money on a well-intentioned program for the poor likely to fail.
Legislators tout real estate transfer tax proposal as ‘win-win’ compromise for Lightfoot and the homeless – Chicago Sun-TImes
Higher real estate transfer taxes with a portion set aside for low income housing.
Discovery Partners Institute Gets Long-Awaited State Cash – WTTW
Before coming through with the $500 million, Pritkzer wanted Illinois universities to first prove their commitment by raising just as much in private investments.
That target hasn’t yet been met – donors have come through with $230 million thus far, including a $5 million gift from University of Illinois board of trustees chairman Don Edwards and his wife Anne, which was just announced Wednesday. Pritkzer said the state’s guarantee of support will help meet the fundraising goal.
The Push For Paid Family Leave Grows Stronger – NPR Illinois
If Illinois enforced some form of paid family leave for its residents, it would be the eighth state to do so. Gov. J.B Pritzker’s administration boosted paid parental leave for state employees August, and Naperville just approved six- to 12-weeks of paid parental leave for its employees.