Advice for Cities: Embrace the Sububs

That’s what this column in Crain’s Chicago Business says: Rust Belt cities should try embracing the suburbs Merging aging urban centers with surrounding municipalities shows promise as a path to revival. READ MORE > Been there, done that. The RTA was created ti … Continue reading

Chicago Has Stricter Revolving Door Lobbying Rules than General Assembly

It’s hard to believe that Chicago has rules that are more stringent than those that affect Illinois State Representatives and Senators, but they do. Former Alderman Will Burns, from supposedly ethical Hyde Park, agreed to pay a $5,000 fine because … Continue reading

Comparing Chicago’s Weak Mayor Form of Government with McHenry County’s Weak Chairman System

An editorial in the Chicago Tribune uses a study by former Alderman Dick Simposon (now a professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago campus), Marco Rosaire Rossi and Thomas Gradel to comment on the “pliable” Chicago Aldermen. Instead of being a … Continue reading

More Jack Franks’ Chicago Fundraiser Invitations Found with Alderman Ed Burke as Host

The money given by Chicago Alderman Ed Burke, under investigation by the FBI, to Jack Franks’ Political Action Committee was listed here. But, allowing Burke’s name to be used on Chicago fundraising pitches is something else Franks regularly allowed giong … Continue reading

What Will Jack Franks Do with the Money that Ed Burke Contributed?

One of Jack Franks $5,000 contributors in his 2016 McHenry County Board Chairman race was Chicago Alderman Ed Burke. The Chicago Tribune reports the following in this column by Kristen McQueary: A federal investigation and ‘The Burke Effect’ It’s not … Continue reading

Reporting from Within the March that Shut Down Lake Shore Drive Shows Influence of American Communists

Reprinted with permission from John Ruberry’s Marathon Pundit blog, which is on my list or regular reading: Pictures from the Chicago anti-violence march that you won’t see in the mainstream media Your beloved Blogger Laureate of Illinois hit the streets … Continue reading

Chicago Aldermen Have Taken Care of Themselves

When I was a freshman State Representative in 1973, State Reps. were paid $17,500. Chicago Aldermen were paid $10,000. Now legislators are paid are paid $67,836, higher if they are a committee chairman or spokesman (which most are). The lowest-paid Chicago … Continue reading

Efforts to Expand Gambling Not Surging Ahead

Here’s a report from Anita Bedell of Illinois Church Action on Alcoholism and Addiction: The House Executive Committee heard testimony on SB 7 at noon on Memorial Day. ILCAAAP was the first to speak in opposing the 548 page massive gambling expansion bill … Continue reading

Obamacare 23% More Expensive in Woodstock Than Chicago

Here’s what Woodstock resident Susan Handelsman found: Healthcare.gov premiums 23%+ higher in 60098 (Woodstock) than in Chicago 60602 Male age 50 median income $58,000 earner, CHEAPEST BRONZE PLAN, minimum $6000 deductible: ZIP CODE: 60602 (Chicago) vs. 60098 (Woodstock) SEX: Male … Continue reading

FRG Mayor Throws in with Chicago on State Aid to Educatoin

Fox River Grove’s Village President Robert J. Nunamaker has thrown in with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Here’s what a Chicago Sun-Times article says today: “Robert J. Nunamaker, mayor of Fox River Grove, was asked why he was supporting a bill … Continue reading

Tribune Assessment Article Features 2% Effective Tax Rate for Overtaxed Chicago Homeowner

I was reading the second of the Chicago Tribune’s article on real estate assessments in Cook County and was struck be the following paragraph: In the end, the property taxes she paid that year represented more than 2 percent of … Continue reading

Bribers Can Do Business in Chicago, But Not with Illinois State Government

From the Chicago Tribune Thursday morning summary: Emanuel administration clears bribe-paying red-light camera vendor to bid on city contracts once again. Chicago is open for business for businesses who have bribed city officials. That is so different from what Illinois … Continue reading