Chicago City Wire

Chicago Reader hosts Democratic presidential debate watch party

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 16, 2019

The Chicago Reader played host to a Democratic presidential debate watch party on Oct. 15 that was attended by party candidate Marianne Williamson.

From Metro East Sun

Sen. Plummer deems Planned Parenthood's Downstate mega-clinic 'a complete disaster'

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

Illinois state Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) is convinced that Planned Parenthood’s secret construction of a so-called mega abortion clinic in southern Illinois is a 'disaster' for the pro-life movement as well as state taxpayers.

Northwest Side GOP Club VP lashes out at mayor for Arena hiring, stifling 45th Ward alderman

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

Northwest Side GOP Club Vice President Ammie Kessem does not know what infuriates her more, the fact that Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gave former city alderman John Arena a six-figure job paid for by taxpayers, or the way Lightfoot has defended her actions since they became public knowledge.

Chicago's 39th Ward candidate raises questions about mayor's plan for set-asides for gay contractors

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

Candidate for Chicago's 39th Ward committeemen Barry Bebart is warning Mayor Lori Lightfoot that the 'set-asides' she wants to implement for gay city contractors may have the opposite effect of what she claims to be seeking.

Cook County GOP commissioner speaks out against set-aside contracts

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

Cook County Republican Board Commissioner Sean Morrison has a simple but stern philosophy when it comes to the way Chicago business is conducted.

Political strategist sees flaws in Chicago mayor's plan for set-aside contracts

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

Republican political strategist Chris Robling points to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan of creating 'set-asides' for city contractors who identify as gay as an example of good intentions gone awry.

Chicago hotel/home sharing taxes “relatively high” versus peers

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

The Civic Federation recently reported that Chicago’s projected revenue from the city’s hotel accommodations tax for fiscal year 2019 is expected to be in the neighborhood of $126.3 million, with another $25.9 million to be generated from a hotel operators’ tax.

Chicago Teachers Union threatens third strike in seven years

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

With the threat of a third Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) strike in the last seven years hanging in the balance, Illinois taxpayers could soon be forced to pay at least $1.1 billion in order to hammer out a deal.

Bankruptcy a likely outcome for Chicago, says journalist close to the Detroit case

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

USA Today business reporter Nathan Bomey is as confident about predicting the City of Chicago's future as he is concerned about what he sees in it.

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot planning set-aside deals for gay contractors

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 7, 2019

Chicago Republican Party Chairman Chris Cleveland adamantly opposes Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s stated plan to create a "set-aside" for gay city contractors.

Chicago bankruptcy most likely the city's 'destiny,' author says

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 30, 2019

Author and journalist Nathan Bomey easily sees bankruptcy in the city of Chicago’s future.

Taxes will continue to rise until there is pension reform, says WFLD Fox president and GM

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 26, 2019

WFLD Fox 32 Chicago President and General Manager Dennis Welsh did not mince words about the perilous place Illinois’ growing pension crisis has left the state in during a recently aired editorial on the network in which he predicted voters are primed for revolt given anything short of pension reform.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois’ pension debt remains worst in the nation

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois’ record-setting 2017 income tax hike has done little to slow the state’s rising pension costs, leaving state taxpayers on the hook for nearly $250 billion in unfunded public pension liability.

From Prairie State Wire

Motorists get no relief from periodic efforts to eliminate Illinois' toll system, IPI reports

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

The prospect of Illinois' tollways becoming “freeways” has proven to be an agonizingly slow process that still has not come close to fruition.

Candidates speak out at Northwest Side GOP Club’s monthly meeting and petition drive kick-off

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 23, 2019

The Northwest Side GOP club was the place to be this month with at least four U.S. Senate candidates addressing club members with their vision for the state.

Wirepoints president argues that Mayor Lightfoot failing to stand up for 'ordinary Chicagoans'

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 23, 2019

Illinois government watchdog Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski laments the fact that in Chicago politics, the more things change, the more they seem to stay the same.

Chicago Republican Party chairman: Contract agreement with AFSCME workers is 'legalized bribery'

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 11, 2019

Chicago Republican Party Chairman Chris Cleveland has a name for what he thinks Gov. J.B. Pritzker engaged in coming to his recent contract agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31: bribery.

Victims' rights advocate slams creation of PAC to support Silverstein judicial bid

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 6, 2019

Denise Rotheimer’s rage quickly turns to sorrow when she talks about the new PAC recently formed to support former Democratic Sen. Ira Silverstein in his bid to become a Cook County judge.

Morrison calls elected officials being able to sue county a conflict of interest

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 6, 2019

Republican Cook County Board Commissioner Sean Morrison said he has a hard time understanding how anyone can justify what House Speaker Mike Madigan and longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke have done.

Heartland Institute exec says gun offender website may not have desired effect

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 6, 2019

A Heartland Institute executive has concerns about the new Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) Gun Offender Dashboard website, he said in an interview.