Latest News from North Cook News

Cook County beverage tax described as having 'chilling effect'

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 20, 2017

Cook County might not have egg on its face, but it's got some soda to wipe off, Madeleine Doubek, policy director of the Better Government Association (BGA), said on ABC7’s "Weekend Watch" recently.

Schaumburg art gallery honored for veteran assistance

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 19, 2017

Schaumburg's Trickster Art Gallery's efforts to help Illinois veterans has earned it the Illinois Veterans’ Business Appreciation Award for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, according to a press release.

Rooney chides Senate, pleads with House to maintain Rauner veto of school bill

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 16, 2017

Sen. Tom Rooney (R-Rolling Meadows) is asking the House to not make the same mistake the Senate did and instead vote against overriding Sen. Bruce Rauner's amendatory veto of the state's school funding bill.

Steans contends Senate override made school funding bill fair

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 16, 2017

Overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner's amendatory veto of the state's K-12 funding bill puts all Illinois schools on even ground, Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) said in a statement, according to Capitol Fax.

Catholic school principal backs Rauner's school choice measure

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 15, 2017

The principal of Notre Dame College Prep in Niles contends that parents should be able to receive public funding to support their children’s’ education, even if they attend faith-based schools.

Morrison, Rooney look for volunteers for Palatine fair booth

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 13, 2017

Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) is seeking volunteers to join him and Sen. Tom Rooney (R-Rolling Meadows) at their booth at this year’s Palatine Street Fest on Aug. 26- 27, according to a release from Morrison.

McAuliffe helps ease the appeals aspect of residents' property tax burdens

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 25, 2017

Rep. Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) might not be able to lower anyone's property taxes, but he can help homeowners learn how to try to do it themselves.

Being 'mad at the math' won't end Illinois' ongoing financial woes, attorney says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 14, 2017

Illinois’ economy will take decades to recover from the state’s current pension and workers’ compensation obligations, to say nothing of the debts continually being added because of a significant lack of reform, according to a blistering analysis from Chicago attorney Eugene Keefe.

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Martwick challenger calls budget vote 'sad day for many lllinoisans'

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 9, 2017

Rep. Robert Martwick's (D-Chicago) vote for the House budget plan that includes a significant tax hike was reckless and contrary to the interests of his constituents, Ammie Kessem, who has announced a bid for Martwick's seat in 2018, said in a press release.

Madigan's power described as out of control, costly to taxpayers

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 8, 2017

House Speaker Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) political influence in Illinois is unrivaled, extends far beyond his role in the General Assembly and must be countered, John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, argued in a column recently.

Illinois held down by economic, moral decay, analyst says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 2, 2017

While every state around it continues to grow in population and prosperity, Illinois keeps shrinking under the strain of higher taxes and more regulations, Michael Lucci, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, said in an article on the institute's website.

Overtaxed Illinoisans also seeing nation's smallest growth in personal income

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 23, 2017

Illinois’ average personal income growth since the Great Recession is tied with Nevada for the worst in the country, according to data from Pew Charitable Trusts recently published on the Illinois Policy Institute website.

Cook County voters told to demand property tax freeze over 10 percent hike

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 19, 2017

Chicagoans need to demand acceptance of Gov. Bruce Rauner's call for a property tax freeze to not only prevent themselves from having to pay 10 percent more property taxes but also put an end to the wealthy's indifference to the plight of the poor, according to the Illinois GOP.