Advocates for fair redistricting have been trying for a decade ⇢ to take the job of drawing our state’s legislative maps away from politicians and assign it to an independent panel. […]
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Posted inOpinion
Greising: Here’s a Welcome Twist — Chicago City Council Stands Tough on Lobbying Rule
Lori Lightfoot’s move on the issue of cross-lobbying does not mean the mayor has entirely lost her reformer instincts. What it highlights is that she made a push for nuance at a time when aldermen and voters are still in an absolutist frame of mind.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Illinois Poorly Prepared for Flood of Unemployment Claims
A neglected Department of Employment Security was suffering severe staffing shortages even before more than 2 million jobless claims swamped the agency during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Posted inNews
Fact-Check: No, Underwood Did Not Call Riots ‘Beautiful’
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood’s GOP challenger is out with an ad that uses a clip of the congresswoman talking about protests for racial justice to inaccurately suggest she supports violence.
Posted inOpinion
Greising: How Pritzker May Win by Losing the ‘Fair Tax’ Fight
The contest ahead of a Nov. 3 vote on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution remains close. There are many interesting paths forward depending on the eventual outcome of this vote.
Posted inNews
Fact-Check: Will Large and Small Illinois Businesses Pay More Under the Graduated Tax Plan?
The wealthiest small business owners in Illinois will pay more taxes if voters approve the proposal. But they won’t see any more of an increase than their counterparts in other professions.
Posted inOpinion
Greising: Pritzker’s Move Against Madigan and for Reform. More of That, Please.
Minority Leader Jim Durkin’s push to have the House investigate Speaker Michael Madigan’s alleged misdeeds prompted Gov. J.B. Pritzker to call on Madigan to testify to the committee. The big question: what happens next?
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Lightfoot Defends City’s Actions on Little Village Smokestack Demolition: ‘I Don’t Believe We Were Negligent’
During a virtual town hall as part of “Lens on Lightfoot” event, mayor maintains developer is at fault but vows such an incident won’t happen again.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Lightfoot Defiende Acciones de la Municipalidad por Demolición de Chimenea industrial en La Villita: ‘No Creo Que Hayamos Sido Negligentes’
Durante un ayuntamiento virtual como parte del evento “Lens on Lightfoot”, el alcalde mantiene que el desarrollador tiene la culpa, pero promete que tal incidente no volverá a suceder.
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity
State Lax in Enforcing Law Meant to Track, Support Minority-owned Businesses
Illinois three years ago began requiring firms getting tax breaks through a state jobs program to report how much they spent with minority- and women-owned vendors. But it has turned into little more than a bureaucratic paper shuffle that collects little useful information.
