Union control: 9 of 10 Illinois lawmakers have received money from unions – Illinois Policy Institute
Current lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly have received nearly $133 million in contributions from unions since 2010. Most of that cash went to Democrats.
While Chicago students struggle to read, teachers union politicks – Illinois Policy Institute
As of 2022, 80% of third through eight graders couldn’t read at grade level, and 85% could not do math. That failure has been driven by the Chicago Teachers Union, whose leaders admit they are fighting for issues outside of wages and benefits. READ MORE.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning student loan borrowers about potential scam efforts now that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the Biden Administration’s student debt relief plan to forgive as much as $20,000 of federal student loan debt.
Slow start or cautious rollout? Mayor Johnson unveils transition report, fills key posts later than predecessors – Chicago Tribune
Unlike his predecessors, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has not rushed to make personnel changes or even unveil his transition report until this week, nearly two months into his term in office. At a news conference Thursday, Johnson and his team unveiled a series of recommendations that will set the stage for what he hopes is a model of progressive governance across the country.
With little fanfare, Shakman era ends as Cook County Clerk’s office released from court oversight of hiring – Sun-Times
At a hearing that lasted barely 10 minutes, a federal judge released Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough from court oversight of hiring and promotions in her office, ending a 54-year-old lawsuit that led to a sea change in Illinois politics and largely ended patronage hiring.
If you have received a ticket from the city of Chicago, you could already be included in a new class-action lawsuit alleging the city violated Illinois law by charging you too much. This week, a judge approved class-action status for a lawsuit originally filed last year by two men who claimed Chicago broke the law when it charged them more than $250 in fines and penalties for the same violation.
Train service from Chicago to Rockford back on track – Daily Herald
Forty years after passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford ended, the state is collaborating with Metra to revive the route with stops that include Elgin. Trains will start accommodating passengers in late 2027 with $275 million in state capital funds earmarked for improvements such as new stations in Huntley and Belvidere, bridge upgrades and additional track.
State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) wants to make some fireworks legal in Illinois. He's talking about those that temporarily explode and make sound for amusement purposes, like bottle rockets and Roman candles. Commercial-grade fireworks, however, would remain excluded.