-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
“Unfortunately, for Illinois citizens, their state’s fiscal condition is not as vibrant as its Iowa neighbor. Out of the 50 states, Illinois ranks a fairly dismal No. 44, down one from last year’s No. 43 ranking. For its relative strengths, Illinois is ranked No. 11 in economic growth per capita…Illinois also ranks No. 12 in personal income per capita.”
Of interest, the Chicago Fire Department has budgeted $69,825 for smoke detectors in 2024, and CPD recovered 43 guns from schools between January 1 and October 23, 2022. Asked by Ald. Scott Waguespack how many of the city’s surveillance cameras were broken, city spokesmen reported 449 cameras were offline as of 5:02 p.m. CST Nov. 2, 2023.
Supporters say adding the history to the National Register would highlight the group’s importance. Opponents, including Fred Hampton Jr., argue it would perpetuate a slanted portrayal of the group. A state advisory council voted unanimously late last month to approve the nomination effort, after a Chicago commission chose in early October not to comment on the project due to the concerns raised by Hampton Jr. and his supporters.
In all, the shelters will be able to house as many as 2,200 migrants, officials said. Construction on both shelters is set to start this week, and the first people could move
Addressing the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant on the city’s Southeast Side, Gov. JB Pritzker mentioned spatial constraints for battery production. However, he expressed optimism about the potential conversion of the plant to build EVs in the future. “You can convert almost anything, but if you’re gonna have a battery plant nearby, which is typically what’s happened, you’re gonna do it on a larger footprint. I am hopeful that we will get at least the assembly plant continued and growing. Again, battery, not sure.”
Gov. JB Pritzker also discussed the state of business in Illinois. “Everyone wants to go back and focus on Citadel leaving, but the truth is we have attracted, seriously, like a half of dozen pretty significant expansions and or headquarters,” he said. Pritzker said they have gained more jobs through these expansions than they lost due to Citadel and others leaving.
The Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion consists of seven people who make six-figure salaries, and a state website said of the commission’s function, “The Commission shall propose legislative changes to increase inclusion and diversity in State government.” But during a recent Illinois Senate Executive Appointments Committee hearing, state Sen. Terri Bryant noted that the board does not include a single Republican.
“I am concerned about the migrant issue and the budget-buster that it is and coming back for a supplemental appropriation of upwards of a billion dollars,” state Rep. Brad Halbrook said. “People need to be concerned about this.”
The plaintiffs claim the use of public buildings to house migrants is a nuisance to the community and accuses officials of violating codes as they desperately search for room to shelter asylum seekers. If the suit is successful, mayor Johnson would be prevented from disrupting park programs, violating zoning laws, and would have to fully disclose how much money the city is spending on migrants.
Steven Fifield, of Fifield Companies, noted that Chicago is the nation’s leader in the amount of distressed commercial real estate loans in any city. Because cash flow is down so much, “the delinquency rate is running at nearly 23 percent,” he said.
Now, staffing agencies will not have to pay equal pay and benefits to temporary employees until they have actually worked for a third-party client more than 90 workdays after April 1, 2024.
Nearly 200 Black and Latino students at Evanston Township High School signed up this year for math classes and a writing seminar intended for students of the same race, taught by a teacher of color. These optional so-called affinity classes are designed to address the achievement gap by making students feel more comfortable in class, district leaders have said, particularly in Advanced Placement courses that historically have enrolled few Black and Latino students.
It turns out that some homegrown Kia Boys are fond of sharing videos of their “work” online. And optimists who think they steal cars because they’re poor and need transportation to get to work or the grocery store are in for a rude awakening. (with videos)
Taking advantage of a recent lull in the number of arrivals, the city is making several changes to its migrant policy in hopes of emptying police stations. The city is aiming to instead route all arrivals through a migrant intake center they plan to create with $30 million from the state, the newest part of the city plan for migrant arrivals.
“Our progressive values and ambition require funding to realize, and, unless we embrace growth and new ideas, we won’t be able to access that funding without unfairly burdening those who can least afford to pay.”
Protesters gathered at the site at 38th and California Sunday, staging a rally against the city’s plans for a “winterized base camp” for hundreds of asylum seekers. Monday morning, the mayor’s office said equipment for work at the site was being delivered Monday morning “so construction can begin at a later date.” It’s unclear exactly when construction will start.
A coalition of attorneys general, led by Texas, is seeking to end a parole program they argue is illegally being used to usher in hundreds of thousands of people illegally into the country, bypassing laws established by Congress. As of Nov. 12, 686 Venezuelan nationals were arrested by Chicago police compared to 26 in 2022 and six in 2021.
Representing the state, attorney Kaitlyn Chenevert argued “The residency restriction here does not amount to punishment. The clear aim of the statute is to protect children.”
The recommendation followed the Ethics Board’s unanimous decision Nov. 13 to dismiss a complaint prompted by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg’s determination that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot committed three violations of the city’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance by sending pleas for cash to city employees.
Licensing requirements by state governments on dozens of professions creates an unjust and unnecessary barrier to moving people into gainful employment. These government permission slips to earn a living create extra steps for people already facing challenges.
If you need a nudge to care about next year’s Cook County State’s Attorney race to replace retiring Kim Foxx, consider the robbery spree that occurred on Thanksgiving Day. The reasons for the current crime spike are many, but much of the blame resides with the failure to prosecute criminals, making next year’s race to replace Foxx the most consequential of the year.
“Democratic state Sen. Robert Peters and state Rep. Marcus C. Evans Jr., both South Side lawmakers, last year introduced the measure, which would require the state to contract with the developers of the new wind power facility and have utilities charge customers accordingly. They argued the project, which would feature up to 12 turbines and generate up to 150 megawatts of power, would help the environment and also create jobs for the economically disadvantaged South Side.”
It involves repairs and in some cases gut rehabs to create 217 housing units in 77 buildings. The vacant properties, many more than 40 years old and with outdated mechanical systems, are among the nearly 900 smaller properties the CHA owns citywide – its “scattered sites” portfolio that dates from when the agency, for years accused of reinforcing racial segregation, was under legal pressure to expand holdings beyond Black neighborhoods.
Jim Dey: “These are not numbers people want to think about, so many do not. But they’re out there — a bigger threat to some people’s financial futures than others. How great? (State Comptroller Susana) Mendoza could put deposit the entire rainy day fund in Illinois’ public pensions, and the new money would scarcely create a ripple.”
The ages of the victims range from 16 to 72.
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