W.J. Kennedy Stories | Chicago City Wire

Photo of SNAP recipient's fridge indicative of upcoming debate over food-assistance program

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 16, 2018

A photo of a welfare recipient’s nearly bare refrigerator, containing a few sodas and other sugary drinks, taken by WTTW-TV reporter Amanda Vinicky and posted on Twitter is emblematic of the upcoming debate in Congress over the nation’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), poverty experts say.

Catholic universities lack consistent policies covering religious practices of students of other faiths

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 21, 2017

Catholic universities in America have no set, across-the-board policy for handling the religious practices of students of other faiths, according to comments Chicago City Wire received from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU).

Lockport VFW post's ban on NFL broadcasts stands despite players' Veterans Day gesture

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 15, 2017

Commander Ernest "E.J." Errico of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 5788 in Lockport says that despite the gesture made by National Football League players this past Sunday to honor veterans in light of Veterans Day makes no difference – Post 5788 will continue to ban broadcasts of NFL games.

'This will never, ever end'; Chicago schools demand more even as they hemorrhage students

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 19, 2017

Such is the lament of Mark Glennon, founder of WirePoints Illinois Financial News, when speaking to Chicago City Wire about the fiscal black hole that the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system has apparently become.

No breathing room at the inn: Chicago hotels feel squeeze as city piles on more costs

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 18, 2017

The Chicago City Council recently added two more surcharges to its Chicago hotel bill, putting an industry already enduring the highest tax rates on hotel rooms in the country at an even bigger disadvantage against similar convention host cities.

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Socialist state rep. demands Chicago "rent control;" would be a boon to capitalist landlords

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 16, 2017

Far left-leaning State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) frequently pitches concepts in Springfield that would be better described as socialist. However, his latest idea-- a state law that would repeal Chicago's 1997 law banning "rent control," or government-imposed limits on residential apartment rents-- would end up enriching many of the city's most ardent capitalists.

Chicago Teachers Pension Fund described as bottomless pit into which Illinois dumps fortune

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 12, 2017

Fiscal experts are warning that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will be back for more once the revenue raised from yet another increase in property taxes disappears into the fiscal black hole that is the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF).

Ditka calls oppression statement 'stupid,' spoken without thought

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 11, 2017

Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka recently told the Chicago City Wire that saying "there has been no oppression in the last 100 years" was a case of “his mouth running ahead of his brain.”

With taxes moving up, more Chicagoans are moving out

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 6, 2017

More people left Chicago between May 1 and Aug. 31 -- peak moving season – than any other city in the nation this year.

Fierce backlash follows Las Vegas massacre tweet from Highland Park deli owner

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 4, 2017

Greg Morelli said it was the “understatement of year” when a caller to his deli asked if he hoped to hear an order for a roast beef sub rather than a comment on Morelli's Twitter post about the Las Vegas massacre on Monday.

Lobbying is all in the Zalewski family

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 2, 2017

In an era in which states are barring politicians from lobbying their former colleagues until after a cooling off period – a year in most cases—an investigation by Chicago City Wire found three current elected officials in Illinois working as lobbyists.

Chicago builders call new minority requirement an unfair, costly burden

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 15, 2017

A new Chicago directive that increases participation of minority- and women-owned businesses (MBEs and WBEs) and adds city residency requirements to private construction projects is at best confusing and at worst needlessly costly, industry officials say.

Millionaire father-in-law appears to help keep Socialist Sharkey afloat

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 11, 2017

The Socialist credentials of Jesse Sharkey, the vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), are well-established. An article published last year on the World Socialist Web Site regarding teacher contracts referred to him as “a leading member of the International Socialist Organization (ISO).”

'An absolute disaster': Chicago developers cringe at 'affordable housing' plan

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 8, 2017

An initiative to expand affordable housing that is being rushed through Chicago's City Council will “shut down a good chunk of development” in large areas of the city, one prominent developer told the Chicago City Wire recently.

“Oh, my God. What Was He Thinking?”; Republicans voice shock, anger over sanctuary bill signing

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 6, 2017

Stephen Moore was aghast when Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation that effectively makes Illinois a sanctuary state.

Martwick to talk with Jefferson Park group opposed to housing complex

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 30, 2017

Jefferson Park residents could learn on Wednesday where Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) stands on a controversial low-income housing development planned for 5150 N. Northwest Highway.

Election board lists more general election votes than voters in Chicago

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 25, 2017

More than 14,000 votes were cast in Chicago during the 2016 general election than there were voters to cast them, based on separate figures released by the Chicago Board of Elections, the chairman of the Chicago Republican Party has reported.

Wife's Cook County position draws line in sand for Tribune reporter

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 15, 2017

The managing editor of the Chicago Tribune assured Chicago City Wire that reporter Kim Janssen is taking every precaution to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest given that his wife, Becky Schlikerman, is a spokesperson for Cook County.

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