Dear Readers and Subscribers, THE iLLLINOIS OBSERVER has moved to a new Web site: http://www.illinoisobserver.net. After today, there will no longer be posts made to this site. The new site provides us an opportunity to provide more news and provide it in a more organized format that is easier on the eyes. We’re sure you’ll … Continue reading
Our View: Although Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced his Chicago Infrastructure Bank ordinance–a thoroughly complex proposal–only a month ago, he claims that there has been enough public debate. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 20, 2012. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today released cautious statements of support for Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed Illinois pension plan reforms. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced an Illinois pension reform plan that he claims is expected to save taxpayers $65 to $85 billion. Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 19, 2012. Special Report: Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) on Tuesday won approval by the county board for a plan to create the Cook County Office of Tax Administration to coordinate the multi-layered county tax system. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – April 19, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced his own plan to cut Illinois Medicaid costs by $2.7 billion from the Illinois’ troubled health care program for poor. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 16, 2012. Usually candidates–even victors–in tough primary fights end a campaign with an empty treasury. But not indicted State Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago). Smith apparently made a profit. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — April 14, 2014. Special Report: U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) and Illinois House Republican Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) on Friday held a press conference in Cahokia, Illinois to criticize Governor Pat Quinn and lawmakers’ efforts to move forward with plan to establish Illinois Health Exchanges, a key feature of President Barack Obama’s health care reform law. Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 14, 2012. Special Report: The fate of a plan by Democratic Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin of Evanston to streamline the county property tax system may be in doubt as another key Democratic commissioner is for now withholding support. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 13, 2012. Special Report: On Friday the 13th, a federal judge decapitated a lawsuit filed by a former Illinois GOP congressional candidate against the CME Group seeking the court to order the Chicago Fire Department to be stationed at every Chicago Board of Trade emergency exit due to the alleged existence of “locked doors” where fire exit signs are posted. Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 13, 2012. Special Report: In the wake of other aborted attempts to streamline the administrative apparatus of Cook County’s property tax system, a top county lawmaker is rolling out another proposal for a county panel vote on Tuesday. Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 12, 2012. Special Report: While Mayor Rahm Emanuel today was revving up a new effort to crackdown on problematic convenience stores that sell liquor, 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith earlier in the week had already won approval of a measure by a Chicago City Council panel to crackdown on expanded liquor sales on a slice of North Avenue. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 11, 2012. The March 20 GOP primary races for Chicago Republican Ward Committeemen witnessed four incumbent upsets out of 13 contested seats where incumbents were running, and saw a total of 27 new faces enter the GOP committeemen ranks, plus a jump in GOP voters going to the voting booths in Chicago. Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 11, 2012. Special Report: The Art Institute of Chicago may display fine art on its walls, but behind closed doors allegations are flying that top officials have displayed less than fine behavior. A former Art Institute employee has filed a lawsuit against the institution claiming she was the victim of employment sex discrimination … Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 11, 2012. Tammy Duckworth today took a third swing at GOP opponent U.S.Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), calling again on him to sign a pledge to reject Super PAC spending in the general election. Walsh has ignored Duckworth’s challenges. Before she won the March 20 primary, Duckworth challenged the Tea Part’s favorite lawmaker … Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 10, 2012. After getting an ear-full from parents, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard today announced that Chicago elementary schools will shrink their original expanded school day to a 7-hour day next year and high schools will adopt a 7 1/2-hour day. Continue reading
(Chicago) — April 10, 2012. As part of crackdown on traffickers who are trading child pornography online, Attorney General Lisa Madigan revealed on Friday that her office’s investigators have monitored in the last 120 days 3,200 Illinois IP addresses trading child pornography. Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 7, 2012. A conservative on-line newspaper is reporting that Dee Beaubien, the widow of State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington), intends to run for the Illinois House as an independent against GOP nominee David McSweeney in the November 2012 election. Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 5, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn announced on Wednesday a new “help wanted” system that connects job seekers with job hunters. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 6, 2012. The Board of Commissioners of the Public Building Commission of Chicago just announced last week on March 28 a nearly $3.2 million contract award to a clout-heavy firm for the redevelopment of Rosenblum Park on the city’s south side. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 5, 2012. Electricity is replacing steam power at the City of Chicago’s Springfield Avenue Pumping Station, as part of “Building a New Chicago”, a comprehensive $7.3 billion infrastructure renewal program put forward by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. In a network of 12 pumping stations, the Springfield Station, at 1725 N. Springfield Avenue … Continue reading
(Chicago) – April 5, 2012. Special Report: Indiana U.S. Republican Senator Richard Lugar reintroduced legislation last month to cut $40 billion from federal farming support and federal nutrition assistance funding, which could eliminate food stamps for 74,000 already hungry Illinois residents, including 15,000 in Chicago. Those estimates come from a Chicago-based nutrition group which helps … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – With a 36-vote victory margin in his pocket, Emanuel “Chris” Welch finally declared victory on Tuesday over Rory Hoskins in the Democratic primary for 7th District House seat in western Cook County. Welch was waiting for Cook County Clerk David Orr to finish counting all the mail in and provisional ballots. Orr … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 3, 2012. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has launched a Community Action Plan outlining strategies to address the specific health needs of Chicago’s gay community, including targeting well-above average smoking habits. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 2, 2012. Like the City of Broad Shoulders, the 30 Cook County suburban townships collaring Chicago have their own elected Democratic and Republican committeemen who aim to push, pull, and drag voters to the polls like their city cousins–some doing it better than others. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 2, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn on Monday at 12:01 a.m. rolled-out new appointments to his administration, including a new Illinois public health chief and new budget and economic development directors. Quinn tapped Dr. La Mar Hasbrouck, who most recently served as public health director and commissioner of mental health in upstate … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 1, 2012. After nearly 20 years of being impaled by the rhetorical javelin hurled relentlessly by Capitol Fax Editor & Publisher Rich Miller, Illinois’ political elite gathered in phalanx formation at Maggiano’s in Chicago on Saturday evening and served up, along with the mostaccioli, heaps of steaming revenge. Continue reading
Editor’s Note: State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) is the Chairman of the Illinois House Human Services Committee and a member of the House Appropriations Public Safety Committee. By Greg Harris Last week, the Illinois House voted to pass House Joint Resolution 69 and House Resolution 706, which are the House proposals to divvy up available … Continue reading