North Cook News

State GOP Chair Tim Schneider’s Elgin car wash has large tax debt

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 13, 2019

Property taxes owed to Cook County, and to a third party who bought a portion of the tax debt, are piling up on a car wash in Elgin owned by state GOP chairman and former Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider.

Black pastors not fond of Black Lives Matter meddling in Evanston/Skokie schools

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 7, 2019

Two of the Chicago area’s leading black pastors are not thrilled with Evanston/Skokie District 65's instituting of “Black Lives Matter (BLM) Week of Action” in all 18 of its schools this week.

'White privilege' discussion at adolescent health summit at New Trier now 'Race & Well-being'

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 7, 2019

A presentation at an upcoming summit on adolescent health originally entitled “Race & White Privilege” has been changed to “Race & Well-being,” and the co-chair of group sponsoring the summit says that the change was requested by presenters.

Maine Township’s excessive reserves violate state law, Sweeney says

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 4, 2019

Maine Township Trustee Susan Sweeney is running out of options to make the township comply with the law regarding its excessive reserves and give taxpayers a break.

Orthodox rabbi in New York slams Kalish’s positions on legal abortion, gay marriage

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 31, 2019

A state House member for less than a month, Rep. Yehiel "Mark" Kalish (D-Chicago) , a former lobbyist, already has bigger problems than finding his way around the state Capitol and tending to constituent problems: He might soon have the might of the world’s religions crashing down on him, if a rabbi from New York has his way.

Lang picks Kalish as replacement after abbreviated interview process

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 21, 2019

Former state Rep. Lou Lang’s selection of lobbyist Yehiel Mark Kalish to replace him in the 16th House District was set even before Lang, a Democrat of Skokie, interviewed nearly 20 vying for the position, a source told North Cook News.

Kalish insists there is no deal for Lang’s seat

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 18, 2019

Lobbyist Yehiel Mark Kalish confirmed that he is “lobbying hard” for Lou Lang’s (D-Skokie) vacated House seat, but he says that no deal is in the works whereby Lang would get Kalish’s clients in exchange for the seat.

Source claims Lang is exchanging House seat for lobbying clients

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 18, 2019

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) will reject more qualified candidates and hand his House seat to lobbyist Yehiel Mark Kalish in exchange for at least some of Kalish’s clients, a source familiar with the deal told North Cook News.

Northbrook village government taking on broader agenda?

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 21, 2018

Some officials and residents day signs of a more partisan political environment in Northbrook were evident last week with the village board’s consent to reconsider last year’s vote to opt out of Cook County’s minimum wage ordinance.

Cullerton/developer win first round in Canal Shores land grab

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 16, 2018

Opponents of the building of an access road on the Canal Shores Golf Course are now looking to the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the courts after yesterday’s 5-4 vote by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to approve an easement for the building of the road.

From Prairie State Wire

Communist Party USA “involved” in Sean Casten bid to unseat Peter Roskam in the 6th

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

An election guide posted on the Communist Party USA’s (CPUSA) website said that the party is “deploying its resources” to unseat U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), as part of a larger effort to flip 24 Republican seats the Democrats need to capture control of the House.

Conservatives: Union water boy Sam McCann stabbed Tom Morrison in the back

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 18, 2018

Sam McCann, Conservative Party candidate for governor, has leveraged whatever political base he has to stab fellow conservative state Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) in the back, as part of a bid by the public sector unions to oust any opposition in Springfield, conservative leaders say.

Nichols Middle School teacher “abused taxpayer resources” sending politically charged email

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 12, 2018

Brigette Evans, a language arts teacher at Nichols Middle School, sent a politically charged email to her colleagues using the school’s email server, a practice that government watchdog groups say is an “abuse of taxpayer resources,” and a violation of the Illinois Constitution.

Marty Moylan: I do not take Madigan money; Board of Elections: Yes, you do

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 3, 2018

Illinois State Board of Elections records show that between 2012 and 2018, Moylan received nearly $1 million from three Madigan campaign committees, both in direct donations and in-kind contributions (where the donor covers the cost of mailers or other services).

Maine Township reformers to continue fight after Carrabotta cleared of sexual harassment

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 10, 2018

The news that an investigation into sexual harassment charges against Maine Township Trustee Dave Carrabotta had cleared him of any wrongdoing is expected to intensify a fight between a group of reformers in the township and an old guard resistant to change.

Maine Township Trustee Carrabotta cleared of any violation of sexual harassment policy

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 7, 2018

Maine Township Trustee Dave Carrabotta has been exonerated of allegations that he sexually harassed fellow board member Kimberly Jones after a two-month investigation by the board’s law firm.

From Chicago City Wire

Republican Party officials boycott Cook County meeting over proposed bylaw change

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

A proposed change in the bylaws of the Cook County Republican Party that would have allowed Democrats to serve as Republican ward committeemen fizzled at a meeting of party officials July 25 and county Republicans lacked a quorum necessary for a vote after nearly 30 committeemen boycotted the meeting.

From Lake County Gazette

Davie: Morrison's actions, words prove she backs higher property taxes

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

Barrett Davie, Republican challenger to state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), said voters should believe her candid, if inadvertent, spirited defense of higher property taxes before the Lake Forest City Council.

From Lake County Gazette

Morrison plays both sides in property tax freeze debate

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is drifting away from a campaign pledge to freeze property taxes.

Glenview nonprofit in hot water over presence of Democrats of Northfield at Pride Day picnic

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 19, 2018

Local Democrats made a big showing of themselves and their issues at a recent gay pride picnic in Glenview, and the nonprofit group hosting the picnic could be in trouble with the IRS because of it.