North Cook News

Morrison urges GOP colleagues to stand firm on abortion funding in fiscal year 2019 budget

By Karen Kidd | May 29, 2018

As Illinois lawmakers ponder the fiscal year 2019 budget, the state representative out of the 54th District recently sent a letter to his GOP colleagues urging them to push the pro-life line in light of the state's Republican governor signing a controversial abortion bill last fall.

Morrison critical of human rights award to former Planned Parenthood president

By Karen Kidd | May 28, 2018

Abortion is not "a humanitarian good," a 54th District state representative said shortly after outgoing Planned Parenthood Federation of American President Cecile Richards received a prestigious civil and human rights award.

Illinois 'on a slippery slope toward a very bad situation,' Baumer warns

By Karen Kidd | May 24, 2018

The reforms needed to pull Illinois out of its financial mess are going to be painful, the Republican candidate for the 44th House District seat said during a recent interview.

Mussman, 'ruling-class politicians in Springfield' failing Illinois, Bernas says

By Karen Kidd | May 17, 2018

Jillian Bernas, the Schaumburg Republican challenging Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) in November's general election, said Mussman has been complicit in the Springfield machinations that have left Illinois ranked among the worst states in the nation in which to do business.

'We need principled legislators,' Smolenski says in 55th House District bid

By Karen Kidd | May 3, 2018

Park Ridge Republican Marilyn Smolenski plans to unseat incumbent state Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) in this year's general election for House District 55, but says she's also taking on Illinois' powerful and longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

Illinois state government could do more for small businesses, Baumer says

By Karen Kidd | May 3, 2018

State government isn't doing enough for small businesses in Illinois, where their voices too often are muted by big corporations, the Republican candidate for the 44th District state House seat said during a recent interview.

Deerfield's proposed gun ban doesn't address causes of mass shootings, firearms expert says

By Karen Kidd | Mar 15, 2018

The village of Deerfield might approve a ban on the type of rapid-fire weapons used during recent mass shootings, but such a ban would be more about doing something – anything – rather than addressing the real causes of those mass shootings, according to Todd Vandermyde, executive director of the Illinois Gun Dealers Trade Association and Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois.

Marijuana legalization proponents 'don't factor in' societal costs, Morrison says

By Karen Kidd | Mar 7, 2018

Proponents of marijuana legalization, referendums for which go before Cook County voters on March 20 and before voters statewide in November, don't generally consider the hidden costs of legalizing marijuana in Illinois, Rep. Thomas Morrison (R-Palatine) said during a recent interview.

Recreational marijuana use on ballot in Cook County amid several Republican battles for state House seats

By Karen Kidd | Mar 2, 2018

A Glenview Park District bond issue, legal marijuana and Republicans vying for a chance to run for four Illinois state House seats will be on the ballot for Cook County voters in the upcoming March 20 primary election.

From Prairie State Wire

Better Government Association says Obama didn't say fathers in the home is a solution to gun violence -- but he did

By Karen Kidd | 7 years ago

Sometimes the fact-checker needs a good fact-checking.

'How Jack Became Black' documentary on race to be presented at New Trier High

By Karen Kidd | Feb 19, 2018

Eli Steele, writer, editor, director and producer of the award-winning personal documentary "How Jack Became Black," about race in the United States, has a pretty good idea about the challenges mixed race individuals face.

Glenbrook parents should continue fight against school transgender policy, attorney says

By Karen Kidd | Feb 1, 2018

Parents in Glenbrook High School District 225 who last month lost their bid to prevent the district from adopting its first transgender policy need to keep on keeping on, an attorney for families facing a similar situation in Palatine said during a recent interview.

Smolenski taking on Moylan, Madigan this election cycle, says Maine Township Board trustee

By Karen Kidd | Jan 25, 2018

Park Ridge Republican Marilyn Smolenski isn't just looking to unseat state Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) in the 55th District in this year's general election, a prominent Maine Township Republican said during a recent interview.

Attorney who backed Wilmette schools tax hike says reassessment on his property was an accident

By Karen Kidd | Dec 27, 2017

A Chicago-based attorney who has publicly supported Wilmette School District 39's proposed tax levy increase says that a reduction of the real estate tax assessment on his property in the district was an accident and wants the North Cook News to back off on a story about it.

Former political consultant staking out successful career in real estate

By Karen Kidd | Dec 27, 2017

It was bad customer service that led Angela McMillin into a promising new career as a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Chicago.

Public school clubs should not be segregated, Glenview-area parent and former board candidate says

By Karen Kidd | Dec 15, 2017

Add Teaser here

Illinois AG will review Wilmette schools' refusal to release "School Climate Survey" results

By Karen Kidd | Nov 14, 2017

Wilmette Public Schools District 39 has been directed by the Illinois Attorney General's Office to turn over a portion of records being sought by the North Cook News via a Freedom of Information Act request, according to a letter from the Attorney General to the school district.

Lawmakers should enact laws to consolidate services, Arlington Heights elected official says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 3, 2017

Legislators in Springfield should pass legislation to consolidate services, despite township opposition to those ideas, an Arlington Heights School Board member said while expressing his personal opinions during a recent interview.

Tax freeze would remove township's power to increase taxes without referendum, Wilmette school board member says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 3, 2017

Legislators in Springfield should challenge township government opposition to property tax freezes, a Wilmette Public District 39 School Board member said during a recent interview.

Women's group says Evanston transgender policy opens doors that shouldn't be opened

By Karen Kidd | Nov 2, 2017

Evanston Township High School's policy allowing transgender use of locker rooms is a serious problem for female students, a women's organization spokesperson contends.