North Cook News

From Prairie State Wire

Former Illinois LIG says ethics commission 'squashed' her findings of 'wrongdoing'

By Vimbai Chikomo | 4 years ago

Former Illinois Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter is speaking out about the Legislative Ethics Commission’s effort to squash her reports on “wrongdoing.”

From DuPage Policy Journal

Cook County resident elected to Illinois Republican State Central Committee

By Vimbai Chikomo | 4 years ago

The vacancy left on the Illinois Republican State Central Committee by the resignation of former State Central Committeeman Ryan Higgins has been filled by Cook County Resident Nimish Jani, who will be representing the 8th Congressional District.

Batinick: AFSCME members authorizing a strike is 'disappointing'

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 6, 2017

When the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) scheduled a strike vote earlier this year, many viewed the move as another tactic orchestrated by the union to prevent Gov. Bruce Rauner from imposing his last, best offer.

Morrison: Right-to-work laws would make Illinois more economically competitive

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jan 18, 2017

One by one, Illinois’ neighbors are leaning in favor of right-to-work laws -- but does such legislation have a chance in Illinois?

Lasonde offers socially moderate, fiscally conservative vision

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 20, 2016

With nearly a dozen endorsements under her belt, Joan McCarthy Lasonde, the Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, hopes to keep Independent candidate David Earl Williams III at bay and defeat Democratic incumbent Janice Schakowsky in the November general election.

Illinois among top 10 states with highest overall tax burden; property taxes second highest

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 11, 2016

Recent data show that Illinois is among the top 10 states with the highest overall tax burden.

Trial date in ethics violations complaint against U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth set for Aug. 15

By Vimbai Chikomo | May 30, 2016

Winning her Senate race has become all the more challenging for U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) now that an Illinois judge has rejected a motion to dismiss a whistleblower workplace retaliation lawsuit against the lawmaker.

Controversial Schakowsky-backed bill a focus of community pharmacist lobby summit

By Vimbai Chikomo | May 24, 2016

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is holding its Congressional Pharmacy Summit this week in Washington, D.C. to lobby members of Congress on a controversial “any willing pharmacy” (AWP) bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

GOP lawmakers send third letter to Auditor General demanding answers on questionable campaign spending

By Vimbai Chikomo | May 7, 2016

Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly have tried once again to get answers from Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino regarding his campaign spending while serving in the House.

Proposal for per-mile tax on Illinois drivers creates challenges

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 29, 2016

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s proposal to tax Illinois drivers based on road usage may generate more revenue to maintain the state’s roads, but such a complex task may prove immensely difficult to implement and sustain.

Winnetka Firefighters Pension Fund benefits surpass contributions; pension deficit nearly doubles in 10 years

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 25, 2016

Paying out large pension benefits that exceed Winnetka Firefighters’ pension contributions is draining the pension fund and has nearly doubled the deficit in the last 10 years, a report by the Illinois Department of Insurance revealed.

Biss votes to increase home health care worker wages; fiscal impact would be $86.8 million annually

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 20, 2016

Illinois Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) is supporting a bill that would require the Department of Human Services to raise the hourly wage for personal assistants and home health care workers from $13 per hour to $15 -- a move that would cost the state $86.8 million a year.

Illinois Policy Institute: SEIU-backed bill to increase pay for in-home service providers is ploy to avoid collective bargaining

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 18, 2016

A bill that would increase wages and secure health insurance for workers assisting seniors is raising concern at the Illinois Policy Institute, where critics say it is just an attempt by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to avoid collective bargaining. 

SUPES Academy co-owner pleads guilty in CPS bribery scandal

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 13, 2016

A SUPES Academy co-owner pled guilty to a bribery charge on Tuesday in a lawsuit that took down the former head of Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Thillens calls House's month-long recess 'unreal'

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 11, 2016

Leadership in the Democrat-controlled House has shot down an attempt to avoid a month-long recess.

State Senate candidate Mel Thillens calls for investigation of Auditor General Frank Mautino

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 8, 2016

State Senate GOP candidate Mel Thillens wants answers and is calling for an investigation of Auditor General Frank Mautino, whose campaign finance records have raised ethical questions regarding extravagant spending during his tenure as state representative.

Murphy, Thillens have starkly different takes on Rauner's budget address

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 17, 2016

State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), who represents Senate District 28, said Wednesday that giving Gov. Bruce Rauner total control over the budget would leave vulnerable citizens at risk.  

Despite Rauner, Cullerton deal, Illinois' pension crisis is far from over

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 8, 2016

Illinois' $111 billion unfunded pension liability has sent legislators on a quest to solve the crisis as quickly as possible, including a rare agreement announced in January between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Senate President John Cullerton (D-6th District), which would offer workers a choice of other retirement benefits.