According to Pro Publica, Illinois is the 16th state to have to borrow to keep paying out unemployment benefits, but — just as is true of the City of DeKalb — the primary problem apparently is not due to the state of the economy: Going into the recession, Illinois had a dangerously low level of…
Category: State Watch
Corrupt Illinois Politicians vs. the Sicilian Mafia
The Chicago Tribune continues to follow the admissions scandal at the University of Illinois. Columnist John Kass wrote a piece and in the comments section was this gem: “Voice of reason Hammond, IN 7 hrs ago John, I have read your articles comparing the corrupt “pols” to the Outfit. I googled Mafia and found an…
Breakfast and FOIA with the Attorney General
Attorney General Lisa Madigan gave an overview of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and proposed changes at a breakfast by the Better Government Association. The room in the Union League of Chicago was a little dark, perhaps because bright lights would not be friendly to the artwork on the walls. None of my pictures…
Rally for Human Services Tomorrow
DeKalb Community Coordinated Child Care (4C) is planning a rally at Rep. Bob Pritchard’s office Thursday (tomorrow) at noon. The reason: social service agencies expect to be funded by the state this coming fiscal year at half the usual levels. If this happens, agencies such as Children’s Learning Center daycare, which serves many low-income families…
If You Like TIF, You’re Gonna Love STAR
This is STAR as in Sales Tax Anticipated Revenue bonds, and it’s a plan only big developers and pocketed or ill-informed legislators could love. I’ll put links to other articles after the jump so you can further clarify for yourself exactly how STAR financing works, but if you understand Tax Increment Financing (TIF) — and…
School Transparency Legislation
SB2270 passed the Illinois Senate last month and is now being considered by the House. So far: Requires school districts to post on their Internet website an itemized salary compensation report for every employee in the district holding an administrative certificate and working in that capacity, including the district superintendent. Sets forth what the salary…