September, 2016 Stories | Chicago City Wire

Chicago to allow liquor licenses on Damen Avenue

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 11, 2016

The city of Chicago Committee on License and Consumer Protection met Thursday to allow the issuance of additional alcoholic liquor licenses on a portion of Damen Avenue.

Chicago committee amends loading and standing zones

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 11, 2016

The city of Chicago Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety met Thursday to amend loading and standing zone ordinances.

City launches electronic enrollment for early learners

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 11, 2016

Chicago recently became the first U.S. city to establish an online preschool application system for children ages 3-5, thanks to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Chicago’s Ounce of Prevention Fund.

Confusion follows shuttering of Illinois health insurance co-op

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 9, 2016

Policy holders who bought from an insurance co-op in Illinois remain upset and confused about the future of their care more than a month after the debt-laden company was ordered to close by insurance regulators.

Latest round of John Deere layoffs unfortunate but not surprising, conservative think tank associate says

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 9, 2016

Manufacturing workers in Illinois suffered yet another blow this week when a major machinery manufacturer announced the layoffs of hundreds of workers in Illinois, an associate for a Chicago-based conservative think tank said in a recent article.

Amid talk of strike, rhetoric between AFSCME, state officials heats up

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 9, 2016

While whispers of "strike" continue to be heard among the membership of the state's largest public sector union, the on-and-off negotiations with the governor reveal the power of that union, the president of a nonpartisan public-interest litigation center said.

Chicago panel discusses energy conservation

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 9, 2016

The city of Chicago Committee on Health and Environmental Protection met Wednesday to discuss the building code pertaining to energy conservation.

City leaders review Mondelez's plan to shrink plant

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 9, 2016

The city of Chicago committee on economic, capital and technology development met Wednesday to discuss Mondelez's plan to shrink its Chicago plant.

National $15 minimum wage could exacerbate Illinois job losses

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 9, 2016

With Congress weighing legislation that would bring the minimum wage up to $15 per hour by 2021, Illinois faces job losses as a result of the Pay Workers a Living Wage Act.

Streator man says Mautino probes began with his decision to speak out

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 9, 2016

Despite a federal criminal investigation underway and state lawmakers continually calling on Illinois's embattled Auditor General Frank Mautino to answer questions about prior campaign expenditures, the only person who has filed a complaint said he feels all alone.

Illinois' credit rating may be cut further as unpaid bills projected to reach $14 billion

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 9, 2016

Moody's Investors Service warned Illinois this week that its lack of a budget may lead to more credit downgrades.

Rauner urges Illinois voters to demand redistricting reform, term limits

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 9, 2016

Illinois voters, regardless of party affiliation, need to have a stern conversation with their state legislators to revive redistricting after the Illinois Supreme Court decision last week that took free maps off the November ballot, Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a recent interview.