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U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says the cost of the plan is spread out over 10 years… and says the additional tax dollars will lead to job creation, needed infrastructure upgrades, and coverage of health care services like vision and dental for Medicare recipients.
“The punishment of schoolchildren for the dissenting positions of adult school board members is so far out of proportion that they are difficult to take seriously. Yet Pritzker’s power to make life miserable for those districts that cross him is immense. That’s why his embrace of what amounts to a nuclear option is disturbing, whether it is well grounded in law or just an over-the-top threat made to get his way.”
The accountability measures approved in this contract address several of the recommendations related to the collective bargaining agreement issued by the Police Accountability Task Force in 2016.
“The hope of many reformers was that increasing aldermanic pay might decrease the thirst of public officials for graft. But since 1973, when many reforms began, some 30 Chicago aldermen have pleaded guilty or been convicted of corruption. Maybe they should try to do something about Chicago’s wind.”
“Martinez is right to start his relationship with CTU with a fist bump rather than fisticuffs. But if CTU is true to form, he should brace for a teachers union that calibrates most of its moves with the overarching goal of amassing ever more political clout. That will become abundantly apparent as the district approaches its transformation into an entity overseen by an elected board.”
Chicago Police said Cappleman suffered minor injuries after being struck at Leland and Racine avenues around 7:15 p.m., and refused medical attention.
When asked why not bring lawmakers back to provide a check on the governor’s authority, Senate President Don Harmon, said he’s going to keep his “fingers crossed”.
“Even some of the core people behind the environmental justice parts of the legislation — which include preferences for minority businesses and hiring, training opportunities for clean energy jobs and grants for community programs — seemed shocked by how much they had achieved.”
“Our municipal government should represent who and what Chicago is today — a minority-majority city. We cannot allow raw political self-interest in keeping a seat to obstruct with the high-minded goal of reflecting the city with who represents us. Maps can’t be drawn just to protect incumbents.”
Rep. Tom Demmer says it’s more than just saving 700 union jobs: “We would be buying carbon based power from a different state. We would be paying more, so rate payers would be on the hook for a higher price, and we wouldn’t have any jobs to show for it and we would have the huge economic losses in our communities.”
Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski said taxpayers are still footing the bill and oversight is needed. “You’ve got to wonder, is anybody enriching themselves, is there any corruption, is there fraud? I’m hopeful this government can figure it out, but I’m skeptical.”
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