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Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses – Illinois Policy
August 20, 2020
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Roughly 237,869 Illinoisans remain missing from the state’s labor force due to COVID-19 and associated state-mandated lockdowns; Those 237,869 have given up looking for work entirely. Had these Illinoisans been counted in the labor force, Illinois’ unemployment rate would have been 15.1%,
Sales tax may be an unlikely hero for Springfield budget – FOX55 (Springfield)
August 20, 2020
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At the beginning of the pandemic, it looked like the city would lose close to $15 million dollars. Just last month, the projection was $10-12 million. And now, $8-10 million.
A Former Chicago Alderman Who Secretly Recorded Ed Burke Could Avoid Prosecution – WBEZ (Chicago)
August 20, 2020
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According to the court records, former 25th Ward Ald. Danny Solis “admitted that he solicited campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for taking official actions as the Zoning Committee Chairman.”
Lightfoot Gets Threats ‘Every Single Day,’ She Says In Defense Of Banning Protests On Her Block – Block Club Chicago
August 20, 2020
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Police regularly cordon off Lightfoot’s block with officers and barricades during protests; Police leaders have also ordered officers to arrest anyone who refuses to leave — a stark contrast from Lightfoot’s predecessor, Rahm Emanuel, who had to face demonstrations directly in front of his home.
Members of Illinois Legislature, congressional delegation question distribution of COVID grants for businesses – Center Square
August 20, 2020
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U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, who voted for the federal funds, said allowing the state to control the funds was a mistake. “If we were able to go back in time and vote on that legislation again, I don’t think we would have allowed the governor to be the distribution point because it’s failed so miserably here,” said Davis, R-Taylorville.
Political patronage? Not in Illinois, Pritzker argues in court – Illinois Policy
August 20, 2020
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“Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker sees no patronage problem in his administration – not that there’s no patronage, just that he apparently doesn’t see it as a problem.”
I’m Not a Looter’: Chicago Man Apologizes for Live Streaming Himself Breaking Into an ATM – Newsweek
August 20, 2020
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Chicago weighs unfunded infrastructure and water line replacement needs – The Bond Buyer
August 20, 2020
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Mayor accuses Emanuel of punting lead pipe problem, says ‘time of reckoning is now’ – Chicago Sun-TImes
August 20, 2020
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday accused her predecessor of punting a $10 billion problem and said the “time of reckoning is now” for replacing lead service lines carrying water from street mains to 360,000 Chicago homes.
Covid-19 Could Increase States’ Pension Debt By $1.6 Trillion – Forbes
August 20, 2020
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“When plans miss their targets, pension systems’ unfunded liabilities — or debt — increases unless governments increase their own annual payments into the system to fill the gap…Chicago, for example, increased property taxes in 2016 to generate an additional $588 million more per year to put into its pension system.”
‘Fort Lori’: Chicago police ban protests on Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s block, order arrests for anyone who won’t leave – Chicago Tribune
August 20, 2020
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Lauren Dean, who lives nearby, said the mayor is trying to avoid hearing public criticism. “As a neighbor, I find protests and actions near her home significantly less disruptive than her response to the protestors, which only aim to keep her from having to listen to the voices of her constituents.”
CPS to cut budget for police officers in schools by more than half, reform program after protests – WGNTV (Chicago)
August 20, 2020
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“Candidates will undergo an extensive screening process ensuring their backgrounds are free of excessive force allegations and placing a premium on experiences working with young people,” Lightfoot said. While on duty, SROs cannot cooperate with federal immigration authorities. They also will not be allowed to enter student information in the citywide “gang database” or access the database inside schools.
61 charged in Chicago under ‘Operation Legend’ – A.G. Barr
August 20, 2020
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At least 61 people have been charged with federal crimes in Chicago under the new “Operation Legend,” which brought federal agents to the city in a plan to fight violent crime. Attorney General William Barr said those charged face accusations related to firearms, narcotics and bank fraud.
More Illinois officials’ communications now subject to state’s open records laws – Center Square
August 20, 2020
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The First District Court of Illinois agreed with the Better Government Association, a Chicago-based nonprofit, that an elected official or public worker cannot keep messages about their public dealings secret by using a private email.
John Kass: Kim Foxx. I will be your champion. I will take your case. Bless you. – Chicago Tribune
August 20, 2020
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“Kim Foxx is a lawyer, but I wouldn’t hire her. What she’s good at is conveying emotion. But she hasn’t learned the art of lying by omission and keeping her fingerprints off her own decisions.”