-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
McHenry County, the reddest of the collar counties surrounding Chicago, is riding the blue wave that swept through the political world this week. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker became the first Democratic governor to carry the county since 1852, according to election result data.
“The results of this week’s referendums should give elected officials a mandate: Listen to the supermajority of Chicagoans calling on government to address budget challenges through increased taxes on corporations and very wealthy Illinoisans. … Despite this clear consensus, the city’s pathways to raising progressive revenue remain quite limited. The Illinois Constitution does not allow taxes to be levied at different rates based on income.”
The U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice are challenging Illinois State Board of Education guidance that allows parents to decline student mental health screenings rather than requiring written parental consent before participation. The Department of Education gave ISBE until Nov. 13 to revise its guidance.
Whether it’s the ongoing prostitution on 5th Avenue or the ongoing homeless encampments and fly dumping, West Siders said when the city comes out, the issue just returns. “Who has the audacity to put these tires on their truck and to bring into another neighborhood and dump them?” neighbor Talei Thompson said.
Party leaders are celebrating not just the county voting for JB Pritzker, but also the highest percentage ever of Democrats on the McHenry County Board, plus two Democrats winning countywide offices.
Behind Democrats’ jubilation that they’ve retaken control of Congress is the sobering reality that the Illinois delegation will have the least seniority in recent memory in an institution where seniority means a lot.