Latest News from Chicago City Wire

McAuliffe 'proud' to vote for compromise school funding measure

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 30, 2017

The compromise education funding reform bill that passed the General Assembly this week will begin to address the inequities in the state’s education system, Rep. Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) said in a press release.

Pritzker accepts White endorsement as part of power grab for Madigan, GOP says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 29, 2017

Gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker has added more ammo to his mission to give state control to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), the lllinois Republican Party suggested in a recent press release.

Rauner signs six measures to cut prison population, recidivism

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 29, 2017

Ex-offenders should have more work and housing opportunities and Illinois prisons will become a little less crowded thanks to six bills recently signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner, according a release from the Illinois Republican Party.

Chicago radio hosts argue caricature of racism is not itself racism

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 26, 2017

Maze Jackson and journalist Charles Thomas took to the air to defend a controversial cartoon on the Illinois Policy Institute's website during a recent edition of Chicago's WVON "Morning Show."

Pritzker won't stir up supporters over fizzling beverage tax, GOP says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 25, 2017

J.B. Pritzker has yet to weigh in on Cook County's new tax on sweetened beverages, and the Illinois Republican Party suggests that's because the Democratic gubernatorial candidate is afraid of backwash.

Chicago pension fund on last legs, accounting group warns

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 24, 2017

The actuarial valuation of Chicago’s Municipal Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund (MEABF) paints a bleak future for the fund, even taking into consideration a proposed water and sewer tax from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, according to a recent report from Truth in Accounting.

Rutherford retaliation case opens; taxpayers pay the price

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 23, 2017

The whistleblower retaliation case against former Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford got underway in a Chicago courtroom on Tuesday, according to the media consulting firm consulting firm MediaPros 24/7.

Gubernatorial hopefuls should kiss ring on 'Madigan Day,' GOP contends

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 20, 2017

The Illinois Republican Party took a shot at Democratic candidates for governor on Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair, suggesting in a release that the rival party should change the name of the day.

Chicago firm cheers workers' comp ruling but not precedent limitations

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 20, 2017

A Chicago law firm wants to know why a recent Illinois workers' compensation ruling has been deemed "non-published" and therefore not fit for citing as precedent except in limited situations.

Chicago accused of blowing millions on poorly renovated homes for seniors

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 19, 2017

Low-income seniors who rely on homes provided by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) have been the victims of poorly managed renovation projects, according to a recent investigation by the Better Government Association (BGA).

Emanuel applauds Senate override of school funding bill veto

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 15, 2017

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel cheered the Illinois Senate for Sunday's override of Gov. Bruce Rauner's "flat wrong" amendatory veto of the state's public school funding bill, according to Capitol Fax.

Pritzker bites union hand that feeds him, GOP contends

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 14, 2017

Despite a family history of actions to knock down unions, J.B. Pritzker is touting his endorsement from them in a new television ad, the Illinois Republican Party said in a recent press release.

Chicago soda tax called one of most draining on consumers

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 10, 2017

You'll need to dig deep to pop for a soda in the Chicago area, according to the Better Government Association (BGA), which says the new Cook County beverage tax has made it one of the most expensive places in the United States for soft drinks.

Cook County move to recoup lost revenue from beverage tax called a bullying tactic

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 9, 2017

Cook County is going to court to try to recoup $17 million in tax revenue it says it lost because of a temporary restraining order of the county’s new beverage tax, but Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon is arguing that the county's move is a bullying tactic.