Illinois Politics & News
The Daily Signal examines Illinois’ political landscape, fiscal crises, pension problems, and the stark divide between Chicago’s progressive leadership and conservative priorities statewide.
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Illinois Town Among New Fronts on Nation’s Right-to-Work Map as Supreme Court Deadlocks
Despite the lack of a definitive ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of mandatory union dues, workers across the nation have ample opportunity to challenge why they’re forced to pay for political activism they don’t support. That’s clear from a state-by-state map that measures the current level of worker freedom in both…Kevin Mooney -
Did Chicago Violate Its Own Laws When Issuing Red Light, Speed Camera Tickets?
Drivers in Chicago who received tickets from the city’s red light and speed camera systems might see refunds. City officials are currently embattled in a lawsuit with three motorists who charge that Chicago has failed to provide sufficient notice for individuals to contest or pay for tickets before deeming them liable. If Chicago loses the…Natalie Johnson -
Chicago Teachers to Walk Out Again on 400,000 Schoolchildren
Chicago teachers voted to approve a one-day strike this Friday in protest of “unfair” labor practices, an action that affects about 400,000 public school students as schools plan to shut down for the day. Administrators call the move illegal. “As you may have heard, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has declared a ‘Day of Action’…Leah Jessen -
Chicago Regulations Could Mean Jail for Some Airbnb Users
It could be “one strike and you’re out” for Airbnb users in Chicago. In a series of new rules, Chicago officials recently outlined a plan to regulate the short-term rental market. Though city officials say the rules are meant to make it easier for people to rent out their homes using services like Airbnb, the…Eric Boehm -
In Rebuke to Governor’s Refugee Stance, Chicago Lawmakers Declare City Open to Syrian Refugees
In a symbolic attempt to challenge statements issued by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner that Syrian refugees are not welcome in his state, lawmakers in Chicago voted Wednesday in favor of a measure that establishes the windy city as a sanctuary city open to accepting Syrian refugees. “Many of us on the City Council have expressed…Kelsey Bolar -
Will the Illinois Supreme Court Set Chicago’s Pension Apocalypse in Stone?
Nov. 17—that’s the date set for the Illinois State Supreme Court to hear oral arguments regarding a 2014 deal to overhaul the city of Chicago’s pension plans. It’s a golden opportunity for the court to clarify or—better yet—overturn its misguided decision earlier this year, which invalidated the 2013 statewide pension reforms. Let’s hope the court…Andrew Kloster -
Chicago Aldermen Seek to Stifle Growing Food Truck Industry
Two aldermen introduced ordinances to restrict food carts in Chicago, less than a day after they were legalized by the City Council. Alderman Brendan Reilly’s ordinance would ban the carts in certain upscale areas, and Alderman Tom Tunney’s would ban them around Wrigley Field. Bennett Lawson, Tunney’s chief of staff, told the Chicago Tribune “there’s no…Sara Jones -
Chicago Adds Ridiculous 9% “Cloud Tax” on Netflix and Other Streaming Services
Streaming companies like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime are revolutionizing how Americans consume media content. These wildly popular services enable ubiquitous and virtually instantaneous access to expansive catalogues of music, movies, and TV shows. Streaming is big business, and Chicago wants a piece of the action. On Sept. 1, the city’s controversial new “cloud tax”…Jason Snead -
Thanks to Federal Assistance, Low-Income Americans Live in Luxury Apartments in Chicago
The U.S. inspector general estimates that 25,226 households occupying public housing units exceed the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD)’s 2014 eligibility income limits. In New York City, one household was making an annual income of $497,911 and living in taxpayer-funded public housing. The public housing income cap in New York City is $67,100. According…Vanessa Calder -
What These Veterans Are Doing to Protect Children in Chicago
Veterans are leaving one combat zone for another. Leave No Veteran Behind is a Chicago-based organization that relieves the burden of student debt on veterans in exchange for their dedication to community service. Veterans enrolled in the program are given retroactive scholarships if they meet the criteria of having an economic hardship in which their…Samantha Reinis -
Chicago Slaps 9% Tax on Netflix
Sorry, Chicagoans: Your Netflix bill is about to go up 9 percent. The Windy City has decided to tax a new source of revenue: streaming services. Chicago’s Department of Finance has ruled that streaming services fall within the purview of the city’s amusement tax. According to the City of Chicago, the “privilege” of watching “electronically…Kate Scanlon -
What Will Drive Illinois to Ask Washington for a Bailout
Earlier this month the Illinois Supreme Court overturned a state law that would help fix the state’s notorious pension crisis. What a tragedy for the state’s taxpayers. The justices basically ruled that the pension arrangements are iron-clad, although these pensions are on a course to bankrupt the state and imperil public services that Illinois families depend…Stephen Moore -
Illinois Republican Introduces Bills Aimed at Protecting Taxpayers from the IRS
In the aftermath of the targeting scandal at the Internal Revenue Service, one Republican lawmaker is working to protect taxpayers from the agency’s intrusive practices. Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Oversight subcommittee, reintroduced two bills today aimed at ensuring taxpayers’ rights, The Daily Signal has learned. The…Melissa Quinn -
Illinois Governor Ends Forced Union Dues for State Employees
Go big or go home. That must be newly elected Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s motto. A week ago the Republican governor announced his support for local right-to-work zones. Then on Monday, he signed an executive order making union dues voluntary for state government employees. He also filed a preemptive legal challenge that could make it…James Sherk -
Illinois Abortion Clinics Inspected an Average of Once Every 9 Years
Abortion is legal but not safe in Illinois, says a pro-life group’s new report. The Illinois Right to Life Committee’s study determined that abortion clinics statewide are inspected on average once every nine years. Forty percent of licensed clinics went between 14 and 17 years without inspections, according to the report. And only one of the federally…Evan Gahr -
In Chicago, Candidate Votes Republican, But His Vote Is Changed to Vote for Democrat
CHICAGO — Early voting in Illinois got off to a controversial start Monday, as votes being cast for Republican candidates were transformed into votes for Democrats. Republican state representative candidate Jim Moynihan went to vote Monday at the Schaumburg Public Library. “I tried to cast a vote for myself and instead it cast the vote…Paul Miller -
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Rahm Emanuel Seeks to Quell Controversy Over Red-Light Cameras in Chicago
CHICAGO—A substantial city revenue source is under fire as Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced 9,000 drivers would be allowed to contest tickets they received from red-light cameras. Since 2007, the city of Chicago has issued more than 4 million tickets via red-light cameras, bringing in more than $400 million, according to the Chicago Tribune. Questions over the…Brady Cremeens