Chicago City Wire

Davidsmeyer calls for 'personal responsibility — and calls out Democrats after Cook County's record year for homicides

By Karen Kidd | Dec 5, 2021

A west-central Illinois State House representative recently called on Democrats to hold criminals responsible for the crimes following reports that Cook County has surpassed more than 1,000 homicides this year

CPD officers pulled off duty over vaccine disclosure mandate as crime surges

By Karen Kidd | Oct 23, 2021

News earlier this week that 21 Chicago Police Department officers had been stripped of their police powers for refusing to disclose their COVID vaccination status came amid the city's surging crime levels and the CPD asking suburban cops for help.

Chicago triples number of self-service EZ Pay Station kiosks

By Karen Kidd | Sep 12, 2021

Chicago has tripled the number of its EZ Pay Station kiosks, provided as part of an agreement between the city and CityBase, a provider of government and utility payment technology.

'How high can it go?': Northwest Side GOP club offers mock gratitude for increasing Illinois gas prices

By Karen Kidd | Jul 28, 2021

Northwest Side GOP Club recently offered up mock gratitude to the powers that be in Illinois for high fuel taxes that are exacerbating rising gas prices in the state — rates higher than the national average.

Law allowing Illinois community colleges to develop affordable housing will keep students 'more plugged-in'

By Karen Kidd | Jul 22, 2021

Illinois community college students will soon find it easier to locate affordable housing.

U of I scholar Gaines: Illinoisans don't generally get redistricting but know they want fair, simple, nonpartisan maps

By Karen Kidd | Apr 29, 2021

Illinoisans generally are unaware of the every-decade redistricting process but they know what they want out of that process, a University of Illinois expert on gerrymandering said during a recent chat with fellow experts.

Kessem: Those spinning controversy out of ISU athletic director's 'all Redbird lives matter' should be 'ashamed'

By Karen Kidd | Oct 12, 2020

The controversy over a quip by Illinois State University Director of Athletics Larry Lyons that "all Redbird lives matter" is ill-placed and those who worked a negative spin should be "ashamed," a Chicago-based Republican committeewoman said.

‘We will shut you down,' Lightfoot warns Chicago house partiers; orders police to pay 'special attention' to gatherings

By Karen Kidd | May 8, 2020

‘We will shut you down,' Lightfoot warns Chicago house partiers; orders police to pay 'special attention' to gatherings

Chicago hotel general manager urges Rep. Davis to stop lenders' COVID-19 'vulture tactics'

By Karen Kidd | Apr 11, 2020

Lenders are using "vulture tactics" to prey on borrowers struck hard by the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact, a Chicago hotel general manager said in a recent letter to his congressional representative.

Chicago FOIA requests going through for now, personal liberties restrictions eyed over COVID-19

By Karen Kidd | Apr 1, 2020

The city of Chicago is fulfilling Freedom of Information requests by the public as normal for the time being.

Trump attacks Chicago police superintendent Johnson's 'values' over sanctuary city support

By Karen Kidd | Oct 31, 2019

President Donald Trump and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson did a bit of sparring this week with Trump criticizing Johnson for his sanctuary city support and Johnson saying that he's getting things right.

Wirepoints: Why no discussion of CTU pension debt in strike negotiations?

By Karen Kidd | Oct 31, 2019

As the Chicago Teachers Union and the city finalize an agreement – maybe – to end this month's strike, an online news outlet wants to know why teacher pension debt hasn't come up during negotiations.

From Prairie State Wire

U.S. Senate Resolution: No bailing out Illinois

By Karen Kidd | 6 years ago

The Land of Lincoln is suffering a number of financial woes, fueled in large part by unfunded pension liabilities, but neither Illinois nor any other state should expect a bailout from Uncle Sam, according to a resolution introduced into the senate last summer.

Chicago Teachers Union official Chambers has little to say about Venezuela trip controversy

By Karen Kidd | Aug 22, 2019

Few special education teachers have ever passed through days like Sarah Chambers experienced this week.

Wirepoints: Denied pension bailout, Lightfoot makes generous offer to Chicago Teachers Union

By Karen Kidd | Jul 19, 2019

On the heels of asking the state for a taxpayer-funded bailout, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is offering the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) a five-year contract and a 14-percent pay raise, according to a Wirepoints report.

From Prairie State Wire

'Dirty tricks' alleged in 2016 primary were not illegal, Team Madigan claims in Speaker's defense

By Karen Kidd | 6 years ago

Even if Illinois state House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) used "dirty tricks" to fend off 2016 primary challenger Jason Gonzales, the strategy allegedly employed was not illegal, according to a re​cent court filing.

From West Central Reporter

Rep. Hammond renews call for fair maps, supports petition to end gerrymandering

By Karen Kidd | 6 years ago

A Republican Illinois House representative from the 93rd District earlier this week renewed her call for fair maps and pushed support for an independent map-drawing petition following a U.S. Supreme Court decision not to hear gerrymander cases.

Wirepoints founder Glennon calls reelection of CTU's officer caucus 'beyond heartbreaking'

By Karen Kidd | May 23, 2019

The founder of an online news outlet considers it a tragedy that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) reelected an officer caucus, including its socialist president, reportedly by an overwhelming margin.

Legal support service president slams Cook County Board's approval of Just Housing Amendment

By Karen Kidd | May 6, 2019

The Cook County Board of Commissioner's decision last month to limit what property owners can ask potential tenants about their criminal histories was shortsighted and will have long-reaching effects, according to the president of a Chicago legal support services firm.

Rep. Andrade yet to comment on colleague's reported remark concerning his abortion bill

By Karen Kidd | May 1, 2019

Illinois State House Rep. Jaime Andrade Jr. (D-Chicago) is co-sponsoring a major reproductive rights bill, but he has not responded to requests for comment about a Democratic colleague's reported suggestion that castration would solve the issue entirely.