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“Because of its long history of segregation and because of its endemic racism, our county has certain challenges, challenges that are common in the rest of the country but more … entrenched here,” she said. “On the one hand we have this rich cultural history here, and on the other hand is this profound racism and oppression.”
“Reasons why Illinois continues to be the lowest-rated state is less budget resiliency for a recession compared to other — higher-rated — US states,” said Ty Schoback, a senior analyst for Columbia Threadneedle Investments, which owns Illinois debt. “This takes the form of longer track records of fiscal prudence, higher budget reserve build-ups, and better funded pension funds which have a better ability to absorb the impact of a recession to capital market valuations.”
Funding for Chicago’s program comes from the American Rescue Plan, which President Joe Biden signed in response to the pandemic. While conservatives are bristling at this use of the money, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot dismissed those complaints, saying “I’m the mayor of the city of Chicago. I know what our people need.”
Illinois has seen a 77% decline in the number of paramedics statewide in recent years, noting a startling drop-off from 36,000 employees in 2019 to 8,200 employees in 2021. And now state Democrats are pushing to equip remaining first responders with body cameras to keep them in-check.
Legislation introduced by state Sen. Ram Villivalam would reduce the amount of interest charged on late property tax payments and close a loophole in the state tax code that leads to local governments losing millions of dollars each year to private investors. The bills were crafted by Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office based on two studies conducted by the office last year that found the county’s property tax system disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities.
One GOP proposal could create a power grid task force to look into the impacts laws have on the state’s ability to produce enough energy for families and businesses. State Sen. Jil Tracy said, “They forget that we need a grid right now that’s reliable and can provide the energy goals that people need right now and quit driving up these rates.”
“To their point, they are spending record levels of money on education,” state Rep. Brad Halbrook said. “However, we are seeing a downturn in test scores in math proficiencies and reading proficiencies.” Halbrook also said every hearing they have on such issues results in the state being asked for more money.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said Republicans have created five working groups, one of which will offer ways to kickstart the state’s economy. “To improve Illinois’ business climate while still protecting our workers, and using our strengths, geography, workforce and resources to bring job creators and opportunities home,” McCombie said.
All state-level cases have temporary restraining orders in place against the state from enforcing the law, but only for named plaintiffs. Attorney Thomas DeVore said even if consolidation happens, which he said is likely, a state-wide injunction against the law won’t happen until the case is fully resolved.
House Bill 1688, which goes into effect July 1, allows cars, vans and other first division vehicles to operate as school buses with a permit from the secretary of state.
A national republication of our Wirepoints column.
No longer a political newcomer, Kaegi defends his first-term accomplishments and his outlook for the term ahead.
According to Sen. Andrew Chesney and Rep. John Cabello, who filed similar legislation in both the Illinois Senate and Illinois House, federal background checks and waiting periods are adequate in weeding out those who should not be able to own a gun, making Illinois FOID system redundant.
Rose is proposing a series of a half-dozen bills he is is calling Job and Community Growth Legislation. He says there are plenty of incentives to bring businesses to Illinois, but another big issues is helping businesses that are here, stay here.
Willette Benford, the City of Chicago’s director of re-entry, said there are public and private resources aimed at easing the transition back into the community. “Why, if someone has served their time, can’t they get housing?” she asks. “Why can’t they get a job with a livable wage? Why can’t they get comprehensive health care? Why not?”
Even as Mayor Lori Lightfoot and others in Chicago’s elected Democratic leadership excoriated the U.S. Supreme Court for its decision last summer overturning Roe v Wade, lawyers for the city have seized on that decision to back their assertions the so-called “right to bodily autonomy” courts cited for decades to uphold abortion rights should not also extend to those seeking to defeat Covid vaccine mandates.
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood is a member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition. The 24-member panel is expected to push bipartisan legislation focused on Beijing, including decreasing dependence on the Chinese economy, and investigating ties between China and Russia. “We ought to be working on the economics and isolate China more, I think that has to be a big part of that,” said LaHood.
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, who represents the 16th Congressional District, said crop insurance, which protects farmers against drops in yield or natural disasters, has been on the chopping block the past. But as the No. 1 industry in Illinois, LaHood said, agriculture must be aided and protected.
Joe Cahill: New taxes are never welcome, especially in a relatively high-tax state like Illinois. But a time-limited tax that eliminates a fiscal albatross and ultimately saves tens of billions makes sense, with two provisos: Legislation enacting the pension surtax must include ironclad prohibitions on extending the expiration date or using the funds for other purposes.
If you care about the plight of America’s K-12 students, especially Chicago’s, invest an hour to watch this free film.
Spry Community Links High School says its vision is to “provide a challenging and supportive environment…to enable our students to succeed in the 21st century.” It’s one of 30 schools in Illinois where not a single student can read at grade level. The failure list in math is even longer.
Chicago’s mayoral candidates may seem like they’re paying attention to the plight of the black community when they talk about crime, boosting spending for city schools, and tough job prospects. But if you won’t talk about births to unmarried mothers, kids raised without fathers and students who are functionally illiterate, you’re skating past the root causes of today’s troubles.
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