Chicago City Wire

Schimpf announces GOP gubernatorial bid to unseat Pritzker

By Juliette Fairley | Feb 18, 2021

Former state senator and Republican Paul Schimpf is campaigning to unseat Gov. J.B. Pritzker, saying he wants to renew Illinois.

Chicago OIG releases quarterly report, GOP leader says office is 'not adequately staffed for the volume of cases and tips'

By Juliette Fairley | Feb 3, 2021

The Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has released its quarterly report highlighting some alleged misconduct involving Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration but Chicago Republican Chairman Steve Boulton said the statistics are indicative of an agency that is understaffed and overwhelmed with cases to investigate.

Stop the Lockdown rally set for Saturday at Pritzker Pavilion

By Juliette Fairley | Jan 8, 2021

About 500 protestors are expected to descend upon Pritzker’s Pavilion on Saturday, from 1-3 p.m., in a peaceful demonstration against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s shutdown orders.

Protesters rally downtown on Thanksgiving to show 'frustration' over Lightfoot's COVID-19 restrictions

By Juliette Fairley | Nov 27, 2020

Before COVID-19, Robert Cruz was a small business owner who sat on the sidelines but when his construction company was affected by city- and state-imposed restrictions, the married father of one was motivated to become more active in politics.

Cook County state's attorney candidate O'Brien bumps into rival before defeat

By Juliette Fairley | Nov 4, 2020

While Cook County state's attorney candidate Pat O’Brien was out and about visiting polling places both in the city and in the Southwest suburbs on Election Day, he accidentally bumped into incumbent Kim Foxx at the United Center on West Madison Street. Both were there greeting voters.

Wirepoints: Cook County Treasurer Pappas 'a refreshing break from the past'

By Juliette Fairley | Nov 1, 2020

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas tells it like it is, which is commendable for a Democrat, says Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon.

Foxx campaign brands retired judges who endorsed O'Brien as 'old guard'

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 30, 2020

Fifteen retired Democratic judges have endorsed former Judge Pat O’Brien for Cook County state’s attorney just days before the Nov. 3 election as O’Brien, a former judge, challenges incumbent Kim Foxx.

Chicago Justice Project sues State's Attorney Foxx to open records

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 26, 2020

Former judge Pat O'Brien: 'There will be no obstacle to transparency if I'm elected'

GOP challenger blasts Foxx for restricting domestic-violence victims' resources

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 26, 2020

Pat O'Brien: State’s attorney is handling pandemic all wrong

Candidate O'Brien alleges Foxx influenced by attorney campaign contributions

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 22, 2020

Although it is legal, money from political donors should not be considered by a judge or an elected official when making court decisions in cases in which contributors are attorneys, according to Pat O’Brien, a former judge and Republican candidate running for Cook County state’s attorney.

Illinois Policy Institute exec: Fair Tax will give low-income workers relief equal to $6 'fast food meal'

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 21, 2020

The proposed Fair Tax will make it easier for the Illinois Legislature to tax retirement income, according to an analyst with the Illinois Policy Institute.

O'Brien blames Kim Foxx after alleged drug offenders released without paying bail

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 5, 2020

Republican candidate Pat O’Brien is critical of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's decision to release several suspects stemming from a recent drug bust that resulted in Chicago police arresting 11 individuals.

State Attorney Kim Foxx labels Republican challenger 'Trump-like,' declines debate

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 2, 2020

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx reportedly declined an invitation to debate against Republican challenger Pat O’Brien, characterizing him as ‘Trump-like.’

O'Brien faults state attorney Kim Foxx for lesser gun charge in John Pina's alleged murder

By Juliette Fairley | Oct 1, 2020

The fact that State Attorney Kim Foxx charged John Pina’s alleged killer with lesser gun charges is questionable, according to Pat O’Brien, a candidate to unseat Foxx in November.

Americans for Prosperity Action-Illinois rep says state is 'slowly experiencing the worst-case scenario over the course of decades'

By Juliette Fairley | Sep 25, 2020

New York, Illinois, California experiencing highest amount of flight

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois receives failing grade for budgeting from Truth in Accounting

By Juliette Fairley | 4 years ago

Illinois received an 'F' from a nonpartisan accounting organization that measures state transparency and reliability in accounting practices

GOP state's attorney candidate blames Foxx for releasing Walgreens murder suspect from ankle monitor

By Juliette Fairley | Sep 14, 2020

Former Judge Pat O’Brien said as Cook County state's attorney he would never have allowed the ankle monitoring bracelet of Sincere Williams to be removed.

Smollett report should go to disciplinary commission, says Foxx opponent

By Juliette Fairley | Sep 1, 2020

Although Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Toomin has declined to release a special prosecutor’s investigative report into alleged ethical violations by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx in the Jussie Smollett case, a state disciplinary commission could request a copy, according to a former judge who seeks to unseat the incumbent.

Chicago FOP endorses O'Brien for Cook County state's attorney; Foxx blasts group on Twitter

By Juliette Fairley | Aug 24, 2020

The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has endorsed Republican Pat O’Brien for the office of Cook County state’s attorney.

Cook County State's Attorney candidate demands Foxx's resignation over Smollett case

By Juliette Fairley | Aug 19, 2020

The Republican candidate for Cook County State's Attorney is calling for Democratic incumbent Kim Foxx to resign after a special prosecutor’s report found she allegedly lied and abused discretion in the handling of the Jussie Smollett case.