Latest News from Chicago City Wire

Chicago water district head resigns with $95,000 severance package

By Carol Ostrow | Aug 2, 2018

The executive director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) was awarded a $95,000 severance package and six months of health insurance after he resigned in June without explanation.

TIF districts sending more money to affluent areas than poor

By Carol Ostrow | Aug 1, 2018

Notwithstanding substantial fiscal deficits in Cook County and Chicago, significant year-over-year gains netted by tax increment financing (TIF) districts will not alleviate local shortages of hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Illinois Policy.

Networks renew popular Illinois-based TV shows

By Carol Ostrow | May 17, 2018

Multiple television favorites set against an Illinois backdrop recently won renewal for the 2018-19 season, with approval given to FOX’s “Empire” and NBC’s trio of Chicago shows including “Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Med,” and “Chicago Fire.”

Napolitano disputes CityKey safety

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 23, 2018

Pinpointing his key reason for opposing the CityKey municipal identification measure, 41st Ward Alderman Anthony Napolitano recently called out the potential red flag via Twitter: an eyebrow-raising phrase that he averred could lead to trouble.

State's scholarship funding a perk for private schools. Mt. Carmel's vice president says

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 21, 2018

Mt. Carmel High School, a Catholic institution on Chicago's South Side, is a high-performing school whose vice president recently responded to a controversial, across-the-board scholarship funding debate.

Portage Park's Brgrbelly trims prices to celebrate tax overhaul

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 2, 2018

Appetite has aligned with altruism in an enterprise familiar to many Portage Park-area residents run next level by Steve and Nicole O'Brien.

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Inconsistencies abound in state law enforcement training, group contends

By Carol Ostrow | Jun 4, 2017

Recurring absenteeism, possible deflections regarding accountability and other inconsistencies are troubling the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) after a perusal of training standards for state law enforcement personnel, the group said on its website recently.

Local produce, products coming to markets near ... everybody

By Carol Ostrow | Apr 18, 2017

Bringing food, flowers and family fun to area residents, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will debut its rebranded “Chicago City Markets presented by Country Financial” at multiple downtown venues beginning in May.

GOP goes virtual to counter Rauner protest

By Carol Ostrow | Apr 12, 2017

Utilizing the ephemeral nature of social media technology, the Illinois Republican Party recently took to Snapchat and mobile advertising platforms recently to further its “Boss Madigan” campaign.

Five Midwestern journalists vie for investigative awards

By Carol Ostrow | Apr 9, 2017

Five Midwestern journalists who investigated police work, jail deaths and the treatment of the disabled were named as finalists for the 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting recently.

More Madigan-generated woes expected for Illinois, editorial board says

By Carol Ostrow | Apr 4, 2017

Even as Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to strive toward a potential state budget solution, House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) “delays and offers nothing,” the Chicago Tribune recently reported while continuing its coverage of Illinois’ hemorrhaging finances.

Liberty recants tweet critical of Gold Star widow

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 30, 2017

Swiftly rebuking the author of a tweet deemed as exceptionally offensive, the Chicago-based Liberty Advisor Group recently corrected its Twitter feed after a now-former staffer tweeted a statement perceived as wholly out of place.

Northwest Republicans open base for political change

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 20, 2017

The Northwest Side GOP Club has built a base from which to go after Democratic domination in the city: a new downtown office that it will share with Niles Township GOP members and from which conservative candidates in state and local elections can launch their campaigns.

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GOP fires warning shots across Pritzker's bow

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 19, 2017

Illinois Republicans have responded swiftly to Chicago billionaire J.B. Pritzker's recently formed exploratory committee, labeling him "tainted," against reform and a Rod Blagojevich financial supporter.

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Spotlight shines on Post editor Baron

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 16, 2017

Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post editor Marty Baron — so successful that he was portrayed in an Oscar-winning film — will talk with Andy Shaw at a journalism awards event in Chicago on May 3.

State lawmakers accused of pay raise by committee

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 14, 2017

Illinois lawmakers are using a seemingly surreptitious way to give themselves pay raises: creating new and useless committees for which they are automatically paid an extra $10,326 as chairmen, a Chicago-based think tank is arguing.

Chicago among top illegal immigrant 'sanctuaries'

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 14, 2017

The Chicago area ranked sixth on a list of major U.S. cities that are home to the most illegal immigrants, a Pew Research Center report said recently.

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Some Emanuel email redactions restored

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 10, 2017

Some of the blacked-out text in Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's recently released emails has been restored, the Chicago-based Better Government Association (BGA) reported recently.

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Chicago DOT announces two upcoming electric vehicle station info sessions

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 22, 2017

Sponsoring webinars on electric car fast-charging startups during February, Chicago’s Department of Transportation recently announced two online events — slated for 10 a.m. on both Feb. 23 and Feb. 28 — underscoring its commitment to green transportation.

City okays North Lawndale parcel for development

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 12, 2017

The city council recently gave the official go-ahead for the development of a $42.5 million commercial project in the West Side’s North Lawndale area, nearby the Loop, UI and other major local points of interest.

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