Latest News from Chicago City Wire

Arena complaint alleges that officers used racial slurs

By Michael McGrady | Feb 12, 2018

Chicago Alderman Mark Arena of the 45th Ward filed a complaint with the Civilian Office for Police Accountability (COPA) after several Chicago Police Department officers allegedly made racially charged slurs about a controversial affordable housing project at 5150 N. Northwest Highway.

Madigan's new 'nice guy' image doesn't wash, GOP says

By Michael McGrady | Oct 26, 2017

House Speaker Michael Madigan’s "nasty-to-nice makeover" isn't fooling anyone, the Illinois Republican Party contends in a recent press release on Madgan's new Facebook presence.

Investors will go back to flying past Illinois if tax passes, finance pro says

By Michael McGrady | Jul 14, 2017

Now that investors are finally looking at opportunities in Illinois, the Democrats in the Senate want to shut them out, Maura O’Hara, executive director of the Illinois Venture Capital Association, told the Chicago City Wire recently.

Independent analyst confirms doomed fate of Chicago Police pension

By Michael McGrady | Jun 26, 2017

Mike “Mish” Shedlock, a senior fellow at the Illinois Policy Institute and financial adviser at Washington state-based Sitka Pacific Capital Management, has independently confirmed that Chicago’s police pension is poised to be broke before 2021.

Chicago police union responds to analysis of pension fund

By Michael McGrady | Jun 25, 2017

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7, the Chicago Police Department union, responded to projections estimating the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago will require a taxpayer bailout to pay for retiree benefits in four years.

Medium veterans circle 5150 northwest highway chicago il

Jefferson Park housing project gets green light despite residents' objections

By Michael McGrady | Jun 5, 2017

Loud protests from residents weren't enough to prevent a city panel from approving a zoning change that will allow a controversial mixed-income housing complex to be built in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood.

Martinez calls for probe of allegedly 'leaked' school funding formula numbers

By Michael McGrady | May 30, 2017

Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) joined several Democrats colleagues recently in calling for an investigation into what they called a leak by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration regarding a bill on school funding.

Manar attacks Kankakee Times for publishing school funding numbers

By Michael McGrady | May 26, 2017

Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is demanding a state investigation after the Kankakee Times reported on the anticipated district-by-district financial impact of his Senate Bill 1, which promises to change the state's formula for dispensing money to public schools.

Pesticide ban supporters accused of caring more about buzz than science

By Michael McGrady | May 21, 2017

Democrats in Springfield are more interested in getting undeserved praise than checking their facts when it comes to modern pesticides, opponents of a bill waiting for Senate consideration argue.

Mayoral surrogates warn state against property tax freeze

By Michael McGrady | May 18, 2017

A consortium of Illinois mayors has gone public – to a degree – with its fight against a possible statewide property tax freeze, telling residents that as great as a freeze might sound, it could destroy their communities.

Trampoline park regulators look for taut, not overly tight, regulations

By Michael McGrady | May 8, 2017

Legislation to place new restrictions on state trampoline parks needs to have some flexibility, one park owner said.

Still no budget deal but House passes bill to regulate trampoline parks

By Michael McGrady | May 3, 2017

A legislative proposal that would regulate trampoline parks – which made it through the House of Representatives on a 64 to 46 vote – has made some wonder about what are the legislative priorities of the current lawmakers in Springfield.

Public safety nominee 'has her work cut out for her,' former Chicago official says

By Michael McGrady | Apr 13, 2017

If Laura Kunard gets the job she wants, she'll face a splintered political climate and an ongoing lack of trust between Chicago police and the community.

Emanuel slammed for alleged lobbying violations

By Michael McGrady | Apr 6, 2017

Politicians on both sides of the aisle reacted angrily to a recent newspaper report that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel appears to have violated a city ethics law by allegedly lobbying via his personal email accounts.

Video casts doubt on Arena's contact with developer

By Michael McGrady | Apr 6, 2017

A video recently posted to YouTube might have added fuel to the fire already putting heat on 45th Ward Alderman John Arena, who is mired in controversy over his support of a plan for additional subsidized housing in Jefferson Park.