Hellooo, Joe? Pritzker and other Democratic governors to speak with Biden after dismal debate performance – Chicago Sun-Times

For now, the Illinois governor has not joined a chorus of Democratic lawmakers who are publicly voicing concerns over Biden as the Democrats’ presidential nominee. After the debate, Pritzker released a statement that ignored Biden’s performance: “The contrast between these two men was clear before the debate — it is even clearer now.”

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Pastor Corey Brooks: Chicago’s mayor plans reparations task force. I’m on the South Side and I’ve got loads of questions – FOX News

“This reparations argument is not about slavery or segregation. Those past evils are being weaponized to cover up the fact that liberalism was so devastating to our communities. … We need to stop this shucking-and-jiving act for liberals and begin to live in reality. It is only then that we Blacks will begin to make true and everlasting progress.”

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So Many Divvy Bikes Are In Lake Michigan That There’s Now A Group Dedicated To Fishing Them Out – Block Club Chicago

The bikeshare company Divvy, which is operated by ride-hailing giant Lyft and owned by the city, has long faced issues protecting its fleet of more than 15,000 bikes and scooters, with many reported stolen, broken or popping up in precarious or peculiar places — including Mexico. The Divvy Fishers pulled 17 bikes out of the lake near Montrose Harbor in a matter of a few mornings, and 15 more bikes in the lake near the Shedd Aquarium over the weekend, with passersby cheering as the crew stacked bikes along the lakefront.

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Forced agenda: Chicago Teachers Union contract aims to dictate radical, costly worldview to Chicagoans – Illinois Policy

“If Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU employee, agrees to the union’s demands, it will be a history-making contract. That’s not just because the new demands are estimated to cost at least $10.2 billion in added spending, meaning CTU’s contract could cost $50 billion over its lifetime. The other reason this contract would be historic is because CTU’s radical demands go far beyond 9 percent annual wage increases and 45 days off per school year.”

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Commentary: It’s time for a tax revolt – Champaign News-Gazette

“The loss of the grocery tax thus comprises about 1.5 percent of the city budget. Yet the first response in Champaign was to brainstorm what kind of new tax could be slapped onto the citizens to replace the $2.7 million lost. No mention was made of the possibility of reducing the city budget by 1.5 percent, as if there was absolutely no way to do so. But of course, there are lots of ways to do that.”

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Editorial: Our state treasurer, Biden and Trump have something in common. They like to take credit for market booms. – Chicago Tribune*

“Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs evidently just couldn’t resist. On June 20, he published a news release touting a record $130 million in earnings for the state’s investment portfolio during May. … Frerichs’ news release omitted the fact that his record gain in May came during a phenomenal run for U.S. financial markets, which have become the envy of the world, based on absolutely nothing to do with Frerichs.”

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Illinois losses to out-migration are mostly the wealthy; incoming are relatively poor – Wirepoints on WLS’ Ramblin Ray Show

Ted joined Ray Stevens to talk about the migration patterns in Illinois and how the state’s losses negatively effect the economy. The numbers show that people with higher incomes are leaving Illinois and those with lower incomes are flowing in. High taxes are causing the wealthy to leave for states and cities with lower tax rates and more opportunity like Atlanta and Houston.

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Chicago restaurants are being burglarized in record numbers: ‘I’m just beyond outraged’ – Chicago Sun-Times

Ald. Brian Hopkins noted that his ward — which covers parts of Lincoln Park, Streeterville, the Gold Coast, Old Town and the Near North Side — has seen two types of burglaries: those targeting cafes and eateries for cash and others raiding restaurants’ liquor supplies to feed “a thriving black market” for booze. He’s now pushing to revisit the police department’s controversial vehicle pursuit policy that requires cops to determine whether apprehending a suspect outweighs the risk of a chase.

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Editorial: Walgreens could join other major retailers fleeing high-crime parts of Chicago – Chicago Tribune*

“By voting with their feet, Target and Walmart sent a clear message to those charged with maintaining law and order in Chicago: Conditions aren’t tolerable, they said, in effect. They also don’t seem to think Chicago can get a handle on the problem in any sort of reasonable timeframe. Now Walgreens, which has a storied Chicago history and far deeper ties to the region than Target and Walmart, has issued its own warning.”

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