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According to Illinois Circuit Court data, in Cook County there were 32,511 more “pending” criminal cases in at the end of 2021 than at the same time period in 2019.
Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe, who presented on behalf of the state’s attorneys, said the state’s attorneys shared a desire with the state defendants for the “noble” goal of criminal justice reform in Illinois to address perceived systemic shortcomings. However, Rowe said the SAFE-T Act took those “most noble of goals” and instead produced “the most unconstitutional of outcomes.”
Illinois has been approved to receive $253 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to offer broadband internet. “The $253 million that’s coming to Illinois, is going to mean that a lot of kids have a better chance for a good education, and a lot of businesses can thrive,” Sen. Dick Durbin said. “And the farmers are going to be using those internets [sic] too.”
Twenty-six people arrived by bus, bringing the total number of migrants reaching Chicago from the border to 3,854.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said there would need to be some additional resources to set up the gun registry state police would manage and more sworn officers to enforce the law, but didn’t have an exact cost. “My feeling is as the Illinois State Police, you give us enough resources, we can put a man on the moon, if that’s what the General Assembly wants us to do.”
Illinois is ranked as the second-most corrupt state in the nation, with government corruption costing Illinoisans $550 million in lost economic activity every year. By 2016, Illinoisans had the lowest trust in their government of any state’s residents, according to Gallup polls.
“Some years ago I stopped reading either of Chicago’s two local papers, the Tribune and the Sun-Times, those other vehicles of local news. Each paper grows thinner and thinner and, I am told by their readers, dimmer and dimmer….Is turning my back on all the wretched news on local television uncitizenly, which is to say irresponsible? Is it even safe? Shouldn’t I know how bad things have become in the city? Can I live without local television news? Or, quite as much to the point, can I continue to live with it?”
As part of Ald. Michael Rodriguez’s proposal, the funds would be provided as forgivable loans, while applicants would have to live in Chicago, inside the home they are seeking the loan for and have incomes at or less than 300% of the federal poverty
Jackson Potter, CTU vice president, called for a new, quick process to identify and remediate CPS schools with lead contamination. “We have young children, 4 years old and older, who can get cognitive disabilities as a result of ingesting lead,” adding that the union wants to meet with CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez.
“(W)ith the holidays approaching and the new year around the corner, I’ve got some wishes for Chicago that will ensure our continued resiliency and unity. They’re neighborly empathy, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents and optimism for 2023 and beyond.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she is “happy” that homicides are down 15% as compared with 2021. However, 2021 was the most violent year in Chicago since the mid-1990s, with more than 800 people killed.
Several laws concerning the prescription, and control of, opioids will take effect in the new year, as will requirements for insurance companies to require a wide range of services and procedures. Enhanced focus on preventative health and care for men, as well as programs to help make healthy food more accessible for Illinoisans, will also be added to state law.
New Jersey and Illinois were the only two states with total shortfalls exceeding 5% of total expenses, the report from the Pew Foundation said, and the only ones with annual deficits in each of the 15 years. Illinois posted aggregate revenue able to cover only 93.9% of aggregate expenses.
“Blame for the shooting can be placed on both sides…But what’s most noticeable in this case is the media’s response to the shooting — or, rather, its lack thereof. After the 2014 death of Eric Garner at the hands of NYPD cop Daniel Pantaleo, the media has scrutinized every instance of police overreach — but only when the cops are white and the victims are black.”
With $3 trillion in goods traveling through Chicago every year, the city is the busiest rail hub in the U.S. WSJ breaks down how important rail is to the region, and how vulnerable the system is to a work stoppage like a strike.
Illinois continues to have the highest wireless taxes in the country at 34.9 percent, followed by Washington at 32.9 percent, and Arkansas at 32.2 percent.
Jim Dey: “More is not known about the amendment’s impact than is known. The new arbiters of labor negotiations may well Illinois’ judges. One labor leader recently told the Chicago Tribune that the judiciary will decide just what the voters approved.”
The school board candidates Illinoisans elect in April will be the first to negotiate new contracts under the “Workers Rights” Amendment. In all, more than half of Illinois’ 860 school districts will be bargaining with teachers over the next two years.
“It’s scary for people like me, who are not gang-affiliated, that have to go to school every day and then wonder, ‘Dang, am I going to get shot?'” Kiya, one of the student protest organizers said. The students called on city leaders to bolster security on their campus and crack down on gangs.
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