-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Under a plan from Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback, people could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly and recklessly making, publishing, broadcasting, or circulating false or misleading statements about candidates or elected officials. Anyone violating the change could also be sued civilly.
Mike Ruemmler, who managed former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2015 reelection campaign, plans to form an independent expenditure committee bankrolled by business leaders for the purpose of electing moderate alderpersons determined to be, as he put it, “workhorses—not show horses.” He noted that business leaders, including former Chicago Sun-Times investor Michael Sacks, are concerned enough about the number of open seats and the turn the City Council could take to put their money where their mouths are.
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth says the Respect for Marriage Act is “a great first step” in further protecting same-sex marriage, and that she would support lifting the filibuster on a case-by-case basis for major pieces of legislation such as the Voting Rights Act and an assault weapons ban.
Mary Grieb, deputy bureau chief at the attorney general’s office, complained that several critical units in the police department are understaffed and urged the city to finalize six policies that are “long overdue,” including those dealing with sexual misconduct and mandating officers to wear body-worn cameras in compliance with state law and the decree.
Rob Karr, of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said this agreement is crucial for Illinois businesses. “It will ensure greater stability in the unemployment insurance systems, and means Illinois employers will face at least $900 million less in taxes over five years than they would have otherwise.”
“In some cases these are dangerous people,” state Sen. Steve McClure said. “This act emboldens them, allows them to miss court and then the court has to just be real nice and say, ‘oh, sorry you missed court, can you please let us know why you missed court for this important case that could cause you to go to prison for a long period of time.’”
Gov. JB Pritzker was asked about the strike as Illinois is a major hub for all Class 1 railroads. “Railroads are extremely important, especially right now because we are having trouble with barges on the Mississippi [River]. We have got to do something. We can not have a situation in which the supply chain is cut off because there is a mass railroad strike.”
“Businesses with under 20 employees have been the only firms that have grown jobs since 2020,” Illinois Policy Institute’s Justin Carlson said. “Businesses with over 20 employees have lost jobs since the onset of the pandemic.”
Todd Ricketts is betting there’s still a niche in internet search for what the former Republican National Committee finance chairman calls “unbiased, uncensored” media. Ricketts, part of the family that made its fortune in the online brokerage business and owns the Chicago Cubs, recently launched Freespoke, which is described as “a search engine for the heart of America.”
“Republican voters are still reeling from massive losses during the November election in Illinois that saw the GOP losing every statewide race; losing winnable congressional races; and handing Democrats once again a supermajority in both the Illinois House and Senate chambers – leaving Republicans voiceless and irrelevant in local and state matters. And despite publishing a weekly Chairman’s Memo, and serving as the leader of the IL Republican party, Tracy has yet to take any responsibility for the losses.”
According to Illinois Justice Project Director Ahmadou Dramé, this new policy will also significantly reduce the high recidivism rates among those who are sent to prison.
Up to 200 cars and hundreds of spectators were involved in some of the intersection-blocking incidents, as souped-up vehicles spun circles around rings of fire, a passenger blasted a flamethrower into the air, and some drivers did donuts around a Chicago police squad car. Bystanders threw chunks of asphalt at police cruisers and punched and kicked CPD squad cars as officers tried to disperse the growing crowds.
“Long known as a master of council procedure, weaponized to supreme effect, Burke will be remembered professionally as the personification of the Chicago Way of doing business…”
The Land Bank Authority has received plaudits for the work it does to restore properties in distressed neighborhoods by acquiring vacant, abandoned, foreclosed and tax-delinquent properties to prepare for sale to rehabbers and developers. But it has also been the source of scrutiny and controversy. An outside audit determined the agency needs to do more to avoid conflicts and ensure it’s selling land to qualified buyers.
FTX’s participation was announced to great fanfare by Mayor Lori Lightfoot in May when the cryptocurrency exchange moved its US headquarters to Fulton Market: at least $1 million to help expand a universal basic income program run by Equity and Transformation. The non-profit received the first installment for the grant to support administrative costs but without the second payment of more than $600,000 the program can’t launch.
Quintin Primo III: As a Black business owner and city resident, I have always found the Mag Mile to offer a high-end experience with little social or economic diversity in the mix to attract all types and classes of people. Changing this equation will take unwavering intention and vigilant execution.
Though Illinois Democrats control state government, the strikes against the state, sources said, are the expensive Chicago media market, which would make it harder for less well-funded contenders to compete and the fact that, as one of the bluest states in the nation, it is not a battleground state.
The SAFE-T Act crashes head-on into the state constitution and is based on disproven claims of pretrial defendants widely languishing in jail for want of cash bail. It is an affront to public safety, the legislative process and our communities.
RNC Committeeman Richard Porter: “We are not who they say we are. From school board meetings to the House of Representatives, Republicans strive to rebut and roll back ideas motivated by hate, anger, and envy. We support leaders who resolutely defend, preserve, and promote the equalizing power of mutual respect, and our divine rights to liberty, self-government, and the pursuit of happiness.”
SIGN UP HERE FOR OUR FREE WIREPOINTS DAILY NEWSLETTER
