-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
After gaining control of the House of Representatives in 2018, Democrats are in danger of losing the chamber in the upcoming election thanks to a variety of factors, and five Illinois races could prove key to the efforts of both parties this November.
State sen. Scott Bennett’s legislation states pretrial release will apply to individuals arrested on or after Jan. 1, 2023. The measure also permits judges to deny pretrial release for any alleged crime if the person arrested poses a threat to the safety of any person or the community.
While acknowledging the ad is a political advertisement, attorneys for Gov. JB Pritzker claim Beverly Miles’ claims aren’t protected as political speech against a prominent political figure during an election campaign. “Unlike candidates, independent organizations like the PAC do not have a ‘right to command the use of broadcast facilities.’ Because you need not air this advertisement, your station bears responsibility for its content when you do grant access. Moreover, you have a duty ‘to protect the public from false, misleading or deceptive advertising.’”
The Truth in Account website explained inflation has increased by an average 2.2% annually in Illinois since 1993, reaching a 4% high during the Great Recession in 2008. Founder SHeila Weinberg said local leaders can now vote to raise those rates “even more than the already high amount they see now.”
“…(I)f Amendment 1 passes, it gives the union bosses total control to negotiate for anything. Union bosses could ask local municipalities to pay their mortgage, pay their rent. This amendment opens a Pandora’s box of what else union bosses could ask for and have us pay for,” Anthony Travis said. “And the bottom line is this: Who’s going to pay for these unencumbered benefits? We can’t give the union bosses a blank check because the taxpayers simply can’t foot the bill. This is not a fiscally responsible piece of legislation.”
Evanston is the first place to distribute tangible, concrete reparations to African Americans, and the housing grants are only the start. “It’s hard to say I’m satisfied, because our circumstances as a Black community have not changed,” said former City Council member Robin Rue Simmons, in between trips to Rome and Ghana to discuss reparations with local leaders. “But I’m encouraged we’ve taken this bold step, and we can expand and improve.”
A federal jury Monday convicted Ji Chaoqun, 31, of spying for the Chinese government by gathering information on scientists and engineers in the U.S. with valuable knowledge about aerospace technology, artificial intelligence, and even aircraft carriers.
The suit filed Friday in Kendall County Circuit Court by State’s Attorney Eric Weis and Sheriff Dwight Baird names Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly as defendants. Weis told Kendall County Board members he needs to try and prevent the “horrendous unintended consequences” of some provisions of the SAFE-T Act.
The spots feature a direct-to-camera message from Beverly Miles, the nurse and retired U.S. Army major who challenged the incumbent governor for the Democratic Party’s nomination in the June primary. “As retired military, the words ‘duty’ and ‘honor’ mean everything to me,” Miles says. “Those values mean nothing to Gov. Pritzker, who tried to get me fired from my job as a nurse. People like me and you need to stand up to J.B. Pritzker’s mafia politics.”
Vacancy rates for on and near LaSalle Street are higher than any other part of Downtown with 25 percent vacancy for office space and 36 percent for retail space, according to market studies prepared by the city. “There is nearly 5 million square feet
Ald. Raymond Lopez, who’s running for Chicago mayor, said it’s clear that the Chicago police can’t handle all the crime on the CTA.
SWAT was conducting an active shooter training on the fifth floor of the building when the shooting occurred. SWAT had guns on the table as part of the training and someone climbed a fire escape, grabbed one of the weapons and pointed it at officers.
The CTA said ridership for the week of Sept. 12 was up 10% from one year ago, with a total of more than 5.5 million rides. Bus and rail ridership for that week were up 8% and 13% respectively, compared to the same week last year.
Illinois State Director of National Federation of Independent Business Chris Davis said the uncertainty of it all is a great deterrent. “National Labor Relations Act protects our workers’ rights to bargain over wages, hours and working conditions. Constitutional Amendment 1 would dramatically expand that to include an undefined economic well-being.”
According to the survey by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers, Illinois farmland values are up 18% over the past year. Farmland values increased in neighboring states as well, up over 30% in Indiana and 29% in Iowa in the past year.
Named the Heartland Greenway, the project would bury a pipeline about a mile beneath the ground to transport carbon dioxide (CO2) from at least 20 different ethanol processor plants across five midwestern states. While the builder affirms it would pay landowners well and offset the emissions of 15 million metric tons of CO2 every year, critics are concerned the pipeline could permanently damage farmland and threaten the safety of residents in its path.
Said Oak Brook Village Board member Michael Manzo, “Gov. Pritzker is no stranger to the use of executive orders for any goal that he deems fit. This is the one case where an executive order is fitting, since the General Assembly can not be trusted to act.”
All sides of the emotional debate on this pending law raise valid points here and there. But the high-octane rhetoric overshadows some very real flaws in this gigantic legislation.
When it doesn’t contain journalism. And that’s the line the Daily Herald’s parent company just blurred—much to its leaders’ apparent regret.
Chicago saw the largest drop in reported commute times among the three Midwestern cities observed, with a 3.2-minute decrease in travel time. The data also showed that in 2021 Chicago had an at-home workforce of 27.1%, compared with 2019’s 6.2%. Nationwide, the work-from-home population increased from 6% to 18%. The increase in remote work resulted in an estimated 26 hours per year saved on average for nonremote workers in Chicago.
Chicago may think it walled itself off from the issue, but the firestorm is only getting started.
At least two of the victims are under the age of 18.
The mayors of Oak Lawn, Orland Park and Tinley Park have taken similar positions. Said Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz, “This act and the legislators who passed it … have completely abandoned the people of Illinois and the police officers who serve them in favor of thieves and murderers.”
The city has said the move was made in response to harmful “rogue radio” calls that put officers in danger, a reference to outside users interjecting comments and chatter over police traffic, but some experts say taking away the long-used tool from reporters reduces transparency. The move will also provide protection against the personal identification of victims, suspects, witnesses and juveniles, which are often broadcast over the radio following a crime or incident.
SIGN UP HERE FOR OUR FREE WIREPOINTS DAILY NEWSLETTER