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via Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune Maggie Daley, who dedicated herself to children’s issues and the arts while also zealously guarding her family’s privacy during 22 years as Chicago’s First Lady, died a little after 6 p.m. tonight, more than nine years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 68. Mrs. Daley was surrounded … Continue reading
via Kate Sheppard, Mother Jones Undeterred by Mississippi’s failed attempt to grant fertilized eggs the same rights as adult humans, anti-abortion rights advocates in Colorado and Virginia signaled Monday that intend to bring the effort to their states. In Virginia, Delegate Bob Marshall (R) filed legislation that would amend the state constitution to declare that … Continue reading
via The Huffington Post Republican State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Decatur, introduced a bill Tuesday urging Congress to “enact legislation dividing Illinois and Cook County into separate states.” The bill [HJR0052] argues that the state of Illinois is “functional to the extent that its people agree on politics, society, and economics.” Because, according to the bill, … Continue reading
via The Huffington Post With the Illinois state legislature still deliberating a tax incentive package to lure both Sears Holdings Corp. and the CME Group to keep their operations in the state, an offer from another state referenced by Gov. Pat Quinn serves as a stark reminder of how high the stakes are. Quinn told … Continue reading
via James Ylisela Jr., Crain’s Chicago Business Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan cost taxpayers nearly half-a-billion dollars by blocking repeated efforts to restructure McCormick Place bonds and finance a much-needed second hotel at the convention center, a Crain’s investigation finds. Between 2005 and 2010, Mr. Madigan stopped five refinancing bills, ignoring declining interest rates that would have … Continue reading
via Dinesh Ramde, AP, USA TODAY The resounding rejection of an anti-union law by Ohio voters provides a huge boost for Democrats and union officials preparing for their next major battle — the attempted recall of Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker — but their prospects could be clouded by the differences between the two Midwestern … Continue reading
via Steven Malanga, Real Clear Markets What could be worse in Illinois right now? It’s November and ‘Da Bears’ are barely above .500, while the hated Packers are undefeated and the Lions (the Lions?!) are positioning themselves for a playoff run. Here’s what could be worse. Illinois’ state budget, filled with gimmicks, constructed for years … Continue reading
via Sabrina Tavernise and Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times The landslide vote to repeal an Ohio law that limits collective bargaining has sounded a strong note of caution for Republican governors and lawmakers across the country, raising questions about some of their legislative efforts, especially those that would weaken labor unions. But the victory, … Continue reading
via David Bailey, Reuters Wisconsin Democrats will launch a drive November 15 to force Republican Governor Scott Walker into a recall election and are confident of getting the more than 540,000 signatures needed, a party spokesman said on Tuesday. The effort to recall Walker follows an unsuccessful bid by state Democrats to take control of … Continue reading
via Steve Sadin, Northbrook Patch Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) easily won the Illinois Straw Poll Saturday as the state’s Republicans showed their preference for their party’s presidential nomination to oppose President Barack Obama. The Illinois Straw Poll was originally the idea of Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park). Kirk announced the plan Feb. 6 in an effort … Continue reading
via Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposal to cut staff and hours of operation at public libraries in the new city budget comes at a time when this cherished institution is already facing “formidable challenges” coast to coast, according to a recent policy report from the Chicago-based American Library Association. In an increasingly … Continue reading
via Chicago Press Release Services Governor Pat Quinn today launched the Illinois Lottery’s 2011 Veterans Cash lottery game. All the proceeds from the sale of these tickets benefit Illinois Veterans. Proceeds from ticket sales help pay for medical care, post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, disability benefits, and housing assistance services for Illinois Veterans. “The men and … Continue reading
via Bob Secter, Kristen Mack, and Max Rust, Chicago Tribune Nearly half the city would fall into so-called safety zones where speed cameras sought by Mayor Rahm Emanuel could flag fast drivers for $100 tickets, according to a Tribune analysis of camera legislation in Springfield. Emanuel has framed his plan in narrow terms, pitching it … Continue reading
via Mark Cassello, The Huffington Post On Friday, October 21, 2011 at 1:30 p.m., fifty members representing Occupy Chicago hand delivered a petition to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office in City Hall. The petition has already garnered 9,945 signatures since it was created last Sunday. It is written in response to the Chicago Police Department’s arrest … Continue reading
via Hope Yen, The Huffington Post In the run-up to the 2012 elections, the federal government is ordering that 248 counties and other political jurisdictions provide bilingual ballots to Hispanics and other minorities who speak little or no English. That number is down from a decade ago following the 2000 census, which covered 296 counties … Continue reading
via Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times The Chicago Police Department will close three district police stations in 2012 — Wood, Belmont and Prairie — consolidate police and detective areas from five to three and merge Police and Fire Department headquarters and specialized units, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday. Instead of having “overlapping functions” in the Police … Continue reading
via Dinesh Ramde, The Huffington Post More than two decades after Scott Anderson told his California congregation that he was gay and therefore must resign as its pastor, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) is preparing to welcome him back with mostly open arms. Anderson will be ordained Saturday in his new home of Madison, Wis., as … Continue reading
via Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl thinks anyone caught with 10 grams or less of pot does not intend to sell it, and so should only be ticketed and fined — not jailed. She recently asked the city’s legal department to draft an ordinance that lightens the penalty for anyone possessing small … Continue reading
via Jake Malooley, Time Out Chicago The sign made only a brief appearance this morning on windows of the Chicago Board of Trade Building, but the message lingers. Four pieces of white paper pasted up in as many windows of the historic 141 West Jackson Boulevard building, declaring in dark marker, WE ARE THE 1%. … Continue reading
via Alex Keefe, WBEZ Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday he will review a city program that funnels public money to non-profits, after the city’s inspector general this week revealed that a group led by Chicago’s former first lady disproportionately benefited from the program. But Emanuel stopped short of commenting in on the merits of … Continue reading
via Jennifer Brandel, WBEZ Gov. Pat Quinn said Wendesday he’s willing to consider reallocating money to avoid a prison closing. Seven state facilities including a central Illinois prison might close because of a lack of state funds. But Quinn said the money to keep the prison open must come from re-allocation, and that he won’t … Continue reading
In lower Manhattan the Occupy Wall Street protests have been growing with tremendous speed, adding leftist luminaries, elected officials, and hundreds of others to its ranks. Here, the Occupy Chicago protests have persevered with the same message and energy—but not the same numbers. On Wednesday seven protesters braved the rain for morning rally. Around 25 … Continue reading
This week, a judge once again shot down an appeal by Catholic Charities, which wants to continue handling adoptions and foster care applications in Illinois while refusing to place children with same-sex or unmarried couples. The state decided to end its contract with the charity–and now Catholics are fighting back against the “gay agenda” in … Continue reading
[Editress’ Note: published for my friend, the remarkable Mr. Michael Cassidy] Is it wise for the City of Rockford to contract with Mike Cassidy and McGuireWoods, the firm for which he works, to lobby on behalf of Rockford in Springfield? The cost is $10,000 a month, and aldermen voted 13 to 1 Monday to pay … Continue reading
The 90-minute longer school day touted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel kicked off Monday at six Chicago public schools — the trailblazers in a new $1.8 million pilot program. At Fiske Elementary in Woodlawn, kids could tell there was something special about Monday’s classes. “It’s a new day because we’re gonna spend a longer time in … Continue reading
The Brandt Standard 