North Cook News

Silverstein re-election bid aided by 'ghost candidate' McAteer-Fournier

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 18, 2018

The primary campaign of embattled incumbent State Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago), who faced sexual harassment charges late last year, is being helped by a third candidate in the race, Caroline McAteer-Fournier, a source close to the race told North Cook News.

Miller battles Springfield GOP machine in 53rd House District primary race

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 9, 2018

Through the House Republican Organization (HRO), the Republican machine in Springfield is dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into primary campaigns of their handpicked candidates.

From Prairie State Wire

Rauner caught in slip trying to tie Ives to Madigan

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

While campaigning Monday in Aurora, Gov. Bruce Rauner slipped up in an attempt to tie his opponent in the GOP primary, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), tax and policy experts say.

Bernas still waiting for opponent to apologize for concocted campaign mailers

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 3, 2018

Weeks after being targeted with baseless campaign mailers stating that she is nothing more than a stooge for Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, Jillian Rose Bernas is still waiting for an apology from her opponent, Charlotte Kegarise.

From Prairie State Wire

Cook County GOP's endorsement of Rauner may not be what it seems

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

Republicans from at least one township in Cook County said that Tuesday's endorsement of Gov. Bruce Rauner was the outcome of a rigged process and not a reflection of grass-roots support within the party.

Former politics reporter marries Madigan confidante

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 4, 2018

Former Daily Herald politics reporter Kerry Lester married Michael Kasper, former top aide and longtime lawyer to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), in mid-December at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago.

Glenbrook parents opposed to proposed school transgender policy get two extra weeks to prepare for meeting

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 3, 2018

Discussion regarding a new transgender policy for Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools slated to be considered at the Jan. 8 meeting of the board of Glenbrook High School District 225 has been pushed back to Jan. 22 at the request of a group of concerned parents.

Evanston High School board slams door on public access to communications

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 20, 2017

A confidentiality rule approved by the board of Evanston Township High School District 202 (ETHS) on Dec. 11 unlawfully reverses the presumption of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), according to an attorney on the board who voted against it.

Rauner loses big in Palatine straw poll

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 19, 2017

If Palatine Township Republicans alone determined the winner in the primary race for governor, Bruce Rauner could save an awful lot of his own money he’s reportedly planning to spend on his re-election bid.

Wilmette schools argument for withholding bullying comments is 'weak,' legal group says

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 5, 2017

Wilmette Public Schools District 39 has weak, if any, grounds for withholding comments that came with a survey of teachers, students and parents to assess the level of bullying in its schools, according to a Dec. 4 letter from the Liberty Justice Center (LJC) filed with the state Attorney General’s Public Access Bureau.

Wilmette residents supporting increase in school tax levy want others to pick up the tab

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 21, 2017

Forty of the 50 people writing public letters of support for Wilmette School District 39’s proposed tax levy increase have appealed their own real estate tax assessments, according to a North Cook News review of records in the Cook County Assessor’s Office.

Evanston school principal's memo to staff on racial affinity groups called 'chilling'

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 20, 2017

On Nov. 14, Nichols Middle School Principal Adrian Harries sent a memo to the Evanston school's staff on “racial affinity groups” that one parent described as “chilling.”

Ives points to Palatine as evidence of need to let taxpayers in on school contracts

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 1, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) says a contractual impasse with support staff at Palatine Township Elementary District 15 demonstrates the urgent need for the General Assembly to approve her legislation that would allow taxpayers to review contracts before they are approved by the union and voted on by the board.

Wilmette schools accused of glossing over bullying of conservative students in survey report

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 31, 2017

The Illinois Attorney General’s office is looking into a complaint that Wilmette Public Schools District 39 violated the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by refusing to release comments of parents, teachers and students surveyed to assess the level of bullying in its schools.

Prospective Cook County judge candidate hopes new Irish name will bring him some luck

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 23, 2017

Shannon O’Malley might be an ideal name for a Cook County judge candidate when the name could be the only information voters have about the candidates.

CORRECTED: New Maine Township trustees question supervisor on hiring, spending

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 5, 2017

The upcoming Maine Township Board meeting promises to be at least as contentious as the September meeting at which three newly elected trustees challenged Supervisor Laura Morask on her handling of the township's general assistance program.

Elk Grove schools don't need $20-million bond issue, board member contends

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 28, 2017

Tim Burns expects to lose on Monday night.

Anti-racism training at New Trier cost school thousands, records show

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 21, 2017

Developing a playbook to convince children at predominantly white New Trier High School that they need to drive out their inbred racism is a costly proposition – for taxpayers.