Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Protestors block 30 cent gasoline tax hike Illinois taxpayers defeated the plan of downstate and Cook County Democrats to give the state of Illinois the highest gasoline tax in the country during the Illinois 100th General Assembly lame duck session. The Democrat mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emmanuel, showing how out-of-touch he was with taxpayers, had…
Pritzker announces schedule for inauguration, and new appointments Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker also announced plans to give his top cabinet members a 15 percent raise, and is rumored to be preparing to demand resignations of all appointees on state-held boards and commissions Today, the Pritzker-Stratton Inaugural Committee announced the schedule of weekend events leading up to the inauguration on…
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Multi-Agency collaboration reduces backlog at the Illinois Human Rights Commission The Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) is releasing its first Progress Report on transforming service delivery and addressing the backlog of cases pending before the HRC. The report comes in response to Executive Order 18-08, issued by Gov. Bruce Rauner in June, which required the…
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Mayor Emanuel’s disregard for the best interests of taxpayers Mayor Rahm Emanuel, one of the worst mayors to ever sit in the Chicago mayor’s office, is making one last effort to slam taxpayers in suburban Chicagoland to pay for the financial shortfalls and deficits caused by his poor leadership. He wants to jack up the…
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Hurley Holds Business Attire Clothing Drive to Benefit Local Non-profit State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is holding her 6th Annual Business Attire Clothing Drive this year for young adults from November 29 to December 14. Hurley is encouraging residents in the community to donate new and gently used business clothing attire to benefit the Mercy…
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GOP Chairman Schneider denounces State Rep. Kifowit’s remarks Today during floor debate in the Illinois House of Representatives, Democratic State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit wished death upon Republican State Rep. Peter Breen and his family. Kifowit later said her words were “misheard, misrepresented, misinterpreted and mischaracterized,” but an audio recording of her extreme rhetoric proves otherwise….
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Challenging racist laws that restrict free speech By Ray Hanania Letter I wrote to Illinois Representative David Harris of Arlington Heights (Republican) who introduced a bill last year to expand the existing anti-BDS law that prohibits Americans from criticizing a specific foreign country, Israel. I criticize Israel’s government and will continue to criticize Israel’s government…
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Harper Overrides Rauner’s Veto of Urban Agriculture Zones Bill State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, helped override the governor’s veto of her legislation that creates local urban agricultural zones across communities in Illinois to help residents grow their own produce. “I have been fighting for access to healthy food options and to expand urban agriculture on…
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Madigan accuses Trump of attacking sexual harassment survivors Madigan: Trump Administration’s Proposed Title IX Overhaul is an Attack on Sexual Assault Survivors Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, issued the following statement regarding Friday’s action by the Trump Administration’s Education Department that proposed new rules governing school sexual harassment and assault…
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Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21 Dozens of Democratic candidates running in the November 6, 2018 General election will be showcased at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast & Brunch on Sunday, October 21 hosted by The Arab American Democratic Club. The keynote speakers at the event are Illinois House Speaker Michael J….
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Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, released the following statement Wednesday: “Addressing harassment, increasing access and ensuring equality of all forms are issues of great importance to the Democratic Party of Illinois, and the time and commitment that Comptroller Mendoza, Senator Bush and Representative…
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Munger named interim DCEO director Takes business development role as McCarthy leaves for private sector Gov. Bruce Rauner today said that Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger would be taking on the new role of acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). She replaces Director Sean McCarthy, who has accepted a position…
Speaker Madigan, Clerk candidate Yarbrough to keynote Arab American Forum The Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) announced this week that Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and Karen Yarbrough, the current Cook County Recorder of Deeds and now the official Democratic candidate for Cook County Clerk, will be keynote speakers at the annual Candidate’s Brunch…
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Madigan’s staff challenges report on gender diversity Statement from Chief of Staff Jessica Basham on Gender Diversity Statistics Jessica Basham, chief of staff for the Office of the Speaker, released the following statement Tuesday on diversity and the hiring of women: “While recent reporting by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform recognizes the importance of…
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Rick Lesser Slated as Candidate in 58th Illinois House District “We need everyday people to fix Illinois for the sake of our children and grandchildren.” Rick Lesser, a successful small business owner and one of the leading estate planning attorneys in Illinois, announced his candidacy today for Illinois State Representative in the 58th District. Lesser was slated…
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Madigan urges extension of bill to protect women Illinois Democrats Say Violence Against Women Act Must be Reauthorized Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, released the following statement supporting the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). “Twenty-four years ago, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act, a landmark piece…
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New lottery game to benefit families of fallen police officers Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed a bill to create a new Illinois Lottery scratch-off game from which proceeds will fund police memorials, support for the families of officers killed or severely injured in the line of duty, and protective vest replacements for officers. “Our police…
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Villanueva named successor to Tabares in 21st Illinois House District Community activist Celina Villanueva was named Monday night as the new State Representative for the 21st Illinois House district to fill the vacancy created when State Rep. Silvana Tabares who resigned to accept appointment as alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Villanueva, a youth engagement activist…
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