-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Statewide, consumers spend $2 billion on cannabis each year, generating nearly $500 million in tax revenue. Currently, 218 retail stores are licensed. Another 55 social equity licenses are on the way.
“While (the alternate route) resolves some of the issues raised in the original complaint, issues relating to the size of the route given the likely increase in the number of participants in the marches and issues related to the potential for log jams on a route that uses smaller side streets remain and will unconstitutionally impede on the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights,” the amended complaint reads.
The newly released records provide the clearest picture of the bizarre attack on Foxx. But they also show that her office was closely involved in the investigation and the decision to bring serious charges in the case.
“A little-noticed bill passed both the Illinois House and Senate that will generate $300 million to $400 million a year for local governments, including $95 million to $127 million for the Regional Transportation Authority. Senate Bill 3362 will help capture sales tax revenue from more out-of-state retailers and in-state retailers who ship to Illinoisans in out-of-state locations.”
Chicago officials recorded 303 hate crimes in 2023, many targeting Jewish Chicagoans and Muslim Chicagoans amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, according to Commission on Human Relations Commissioner Nancy Andrade.
“I thought he was able to answer the questions coherently and comprehensively. So, I’m still with President Biden, and I support his leadership, and I support the direction he’s taking the country,” said Jackson, who represents Chicago and the south suburbs.
“It shouldn’t have to take a massive shooting for something to be done,” said Mary Baggett, voicing the frustrations of many in the sprawling 330-unit ABLA subsidized housing development. Just last week, eight people were shot on the 1300 block of West Hastings.
Kathy Salvi, a lawyer and former Lake County assistant public defender, will replace Don Tracy.
New numbers from earlier this week show the temporary Bally’s casino at Medinah Temple in River North had an 11.4 percent revenue decline in June.
While state officials note that people of color, women and other populations have historically been significantly underrepresented in apprenticeship programs, a new study published by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests the state, in attempting to redress historical wrongs, used blinders to define equity in CEJA, which led to perceived injustices for downstate rural, often white communities.
“… (W)e’d like to show what the future of Illinois can be,” Porter said. “A future of freedom and renewal, where Illinois becomes a place where you want to raise a family again, build a business. Because right now people are leaving. And there’s no reason why that should be. Illinois is the heart of the country and has all sorts of natural advantages. It’s just not been governed well.”
Since April 2020, the under-5 population has fallen by 18 percent in New York, 15 percent in Cook County, which includes Chicago, and 14 percent in Los Angeles County, the Economic Innovation Group said in a report. The continued loss of families highlights the risk of a so-called urban doom loop as cities struggle to retain one of their most important demographics.
This past week, reporters reached out to the state’s roster of Democratic delegates and interviewed 37 of them, all before the Thursday news conference. Of those who responded, four declined to answer questions about Biden, and three said they do not back the president. One delegate was unsure, and another said it was too soon to say. The remaining 28 delegates said they are continuing to back Biden.
The Treasury Department issued a new proposal Monday to expand the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.’ (CFIUS) ability to prevent certain foreign-linked companies from buying up land near U.S. military installations inside the country. The proposed rule would stonewall both Cnano USA and Gotion Inc., two separate subsidiaries of Chinese-based companies that planned to buy land and build plants close to military
“It’s frustrating because it’s consistent and nothing’s being done about it,” one store owner said. “These small businesses are taking significant losses and there’s no support coming from the city. They don’t have the resources to protect small businesses and everyday people, but they have money to break up college encampments with police in full riot gear? That doesn’t make sense.”
Prosecutors want to call University of Illinois Chicago professor Dick Simpson to the stand to explain how Chicago politics and government work. That includes the workings of Ward organizations, Chicago’s political machine and patronage hiring. Prosecutors also want to call former Chicago Alderperson Michele Smith to testify about the operation of the Chicago City Council, its Zoning Committee and the role of Chicago Democratic Committeemen.
The St. Clair County Public Safety Center comes at a $15 million cost to taxpayers. Opponents say that a building will do nothing to deter crime. Lawmakers say Illinois needs to start holding criminals accountable.
Since 2012, education spending has increased by 97 percent, while reading proficiency has decreased by 63 percent and math proficiency by 78 percent. About three-quarters of CPS students can’t read at grade level and even fewer can do math.
Data shows 58 percent of schools – or 275 schools – were underutilized in the 2023-2024 school year, 37 percent were efficient and 5 percent were overcrowded. Seven of the 25 overcrowded schools are selective enrollment schools which the Chicago Board of Education has resolved to close.
“She’s on a mission basically for herself,” said Thornton township trustee Chris Gonzalez. “The township should not be paying for that – it should be coming out of her own pocket.”
When the Illinois Tollway went all cashless in 2020, it reassigned its toll collectors as customer service representatives. The tollway still employs nearly 150 of them but has plans to lay them off at the end of August.
Ted joined Jeff Daly to discuss the 50-state metrics Illinois is failing so badly at, the contrast between Illinois and states like Florida and Texas, the gall of state lawmakers giving themselves multiple raises as Illinoisans struggle, and more.
Ted joined the Ray Stevens show to talk about Illinois lawmakers giving themselves a 33% raise over the last few years. They’re paying themselves well for constant failure. Illinois is the 4th-worst in the country for economic growth and 6th-worst in unemployment…among other dismal economic metrics.
Democratic Party divisions are all over the airwaves these days, but will they spill into the streets? That’s the hope of left-wing groups planning a “summer of resistance” to culminate at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22.
Among the mayor’s remaining options would be to tell the school district to budget for additional state money even if it’s not guaranteed, forcing a showdown between the state and the school district in the coming months. The mayor could also raise property taxes, find more city money somewhere to give CPS, or tell the school district to take out a loan.
In Blue Island, residents are seeing an average 36 percent hikes in their property taxes. “It’s ridiculous, and I can see a lot of people probably losing their homes behind this, if this is not corrected in some manner,” Ald. Dexter Johnson said.
Victims range in age from 21 to 62.
Assessor Fritz Kaegi said that one-third of Cook County homeowners are missing their exemptions, which could mean their properties have been assessed incorrectly. He also noted that the Cook County Board of Review has made significant reductions in commercial property assessments.
Business owner Katherine Anne Duncan said the new law is the “way we want to go as a society.” But she added: “My concern is that this ordinance seems to be implemented without a plan as to how to get already-struggling businesses to cover not only the costs but the recordkeeping. A paper punch card will no longer work.”
Schneider said, by stepping aside now, Biden “can lead the transition of power to a new generation that can build a stronger party and a stronger nation. I fear if he fails to make the right choice, our democracy will hang in the balance.”
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