Thinking of a Couple of my Legislative Ideas Related to Housing and Senior Citizen Tax Relief

Looking at affordable housing statistics for yesterday’s story reminded me of a bill introduced by Eddie Kucharski back in the 1970’s to help veterans purchase their first home. He figured many would need help with their downpayment, so introduced a … Continue reading

Biography of Calvin L. Skinner – Part 2 – College, Marriage, First Jobs Copy

The first part of my father’s multi-part biography ran yesterday. Today, we’ll run Part 2 in honor of his birth 100 years ago. Dad graduated debt free from college in three and a half years. Somehow I have gotten the … Continue reading

“Public Transportation, When & Where You Need It”

Most of the 1974 campaign literature from the RTA Citizens Committee for Better Transportation was not stupid enough to make the promise you see in the headline. But at least one piece, now somewhere in my Regional Transportation Authority archives … Continue reading

Pat Quinn and Legislators Kill Senior Citizen Tax Relief

The law is still on the books, but, as they say in the movies, the contents are on the cutting room floor. The bill was originally passed using money from the new 2 1/2% income tax by Governor Richard Ogilvie. … Continue reading

82% Income Tax Hike Threatened

National Taxpayers United of Illinois has sent out a press release on the Democrats effort to hike state income taxes. It gives a perspective that others do not. The increase in the income tax that has been most widely discussed … Continue reading

Gnashing of Municipal Teeth

When city leaders read this Tribune article saying that Pat Quinn expects them to “share the pain,” there will be gnashing of teeth. Apparently Quinn has decided to cut the $1 billion a year income tax revenue sharing by 30%. … Continue reading

Biography of Calvin L. Skinner – Part 2 – College, Marriage, First Jobs

The first part of my father’s multi-part biography ran yesterday. Today, Father’s Day, we’ll Dad graduated debt free from college in three and a half years. Somehow I have gotten the impression that he was something of a lady’s man. … Continue reading

IMRF Fully Funded

The Associated Press highlighted the well-funded Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund yesterday. You know why it has enough resources to pay the pensions local government employees have earned? One reason is that forty-some years ago, it required participating governments like McHenry … Continue reading

IMRF Fully Funded

The Associated Press highlighted the well-funded Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund yesterday. You know why it has enough resources to pay the pensions local government employees have earned? One reason is that forty-some years ago, it required participating governments like McHenry … Continue reading

Empty Offices – Ex-Aldrwoman Arenda Troutman and Ex-Governor Richard Ogilvie

Is anyone surprised that indicted ex-Chicago Alderman Arenda Troutman didn’t leave anything in her office for her 20th Ward successor Willie Cochran? After all, this is the woman that had this fun-loving photograph on her web page. The only thing … Continue reading

Empty Offices – Ex-Aldrwoman Arenda Troutman and Ex-Governor Richard Ogilvie

Is anyone surprised that indicted ex-Chicago Alderman Arenda Troutman didn’t leave anything in her office for her 20th Ward successor Willie Cochran? After all, this is the woman that had this fun-loving photograph on her web page. The only thing … Continue reading