Latest News from Chicago City Wire

Rauner calls for political reform, referendums on fair maps, term limits

By Chicago City Wire | Sep 30, 2016

Since the state Supreme Court ruled voter referendums can't be used to place measures on the ballot, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has called for state lawmakers to take action to restore redistricting to the November ballot and to also put term limits up for a vote.

Illinois, Chicago should declare bankruptcy to fix fiscal woes, ex-FDIC chief says

By Chicago City Wire | Sep 30, 2016

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago should seek bankruptcy protection to stop the fiscal bleeding and get back untracked, William Isaac, former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., said in a recently published opinion piece.

Some say replace social-welfare system with 'basic income' model

By Chicago City Wire | Sep 30, 2016

With the welfare system falling apart, it may be time to look at the possibility of a basic income for every American, a concept that has been championed by well-known economists and political scientists of the past and present including Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek and Charles Murray.

Report questions link between Illinois lawyers and politicians

By Chicago City Wire | Sep 30, 2016

A new report by a civilian group in Illinois questions the link between lawyers and political leaders in the state.

Attorney believes home-sharing ordinance is likely unconstitutional

By Chandra Lye | Sep 28, 2016

The city of Chicago’s new ordinance that seeks to crack down on home-sharing situations, such as those found on Airbnb, has confounded many, including those in the legal field.

Burke: Safety, economy reasons to ban driverless vehicles in Chicago

By Karen Kidd | Sep 28, 2016

Concerns about safety and the economy are behind Alderman Ed Burke's opposition to driverless vehicles in Chicago, the long-serving city politician said during a recent radio talk show interview.

Plaintiff expects swift state appeal of injunction against Election Day voter signups

By Karen Kidd | Sep 27, 2016

The Illinois State Board of Elections likely will quickly appeal a federal judge's preliminary injunction handed down earlier today blocking Election Day registration and voting options at polling places, a plaintiff's attorney in the case said.

Illinois community colleges cost state over $215,000 per on-time graduate

By Chicago City Wire | Sep 23, 2016

Millions of dollars in taxpayer money are being spent in Illinois to support students and the community colleges in Illinois, but most of the students never graduate.

State losing young workers in record numbers

By Chicago City Wire | Sep 23, 2016

Calling it a sign of economic and political crises, the Illinois Policy Institute said the state is losing residents much faster than its neighbors.

Mautino scandal virtually ignored in state media, blogger reports

By Chicago City Wire | Sep 22, 2016

Despite the controversy surrounding embattled Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino, whatever misdeeds he may have committed, the scandal apparently is not a big deal, if news media buzz and political heat are any indication, a vocal citizen journalist recently said on his blog.

Human Services Transformation program continues

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 22, 2016

The Illinois Department of Human Services will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday to receive a Human Services Transformation update.

UChicago unveils new residential complex

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 22, 2016

Elegant, welcoming and inspiring count among terms used to describe the University of Chicago’s brand-new Campus North Residential Commons and adjacent dining commons designed to enhance student living by Jeanne Gang / Studio Gang Architects.

Medium shutterstock airplane takeoff sunset

Mexican airline set to service Chicago hub

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 22, 2016

In addition to existing connections between Mexican and other Latin American centers, the Interjet airline company will provide two daily nonstop flights between Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and Chicago’s O’Hare (ORD) starting Nov. 17.

Chicago attorney says Alderman Burke is driven by power, money

By Dawn Geske | Sep 21, 2016

A Chicago attorney recently remarked that in the Windy City one man rules the roost, and that’s Alderman Ed Burke.

Professor: 'Poor admissions decisions' one reason why CSU graduation rate low

By Dawn Geske | Sep 21, 2016

If Chicago State University (CSU) wants to improve its abysmal graduation rate, it will have to attract better-prepared, more-motivated students, Robert Bionaz, associate professor of history at Chicago State and its faculty union president, said. Last school year, 37 of 58 CSU majors had zero graduates, but Bionaz said teachers aren’t to blame.