School District 428 is looking to balance its budget. Last night the board considered a 4th proposal for doing so, which included cutting $83,000 from “differential money” that is, in part, used for music and art program components. Meanwhile, here’s some data that never gets talked about at public meetings: Paul Beilfuss $222,223 Andrea Gorla…
Trib: “Your Government in Secret”
Chicago Trib today: Since 2005, more than a thousand citizens have filed complaints about public officials in Illinois who refused requests for public records, most often by completely ignoring them. A review of those complaints, along with dozens of interviews, reveals a culture of secrecy shrouding the machinery of your government. Public meetings are often…
TIF Transparency in Chicago
Credit aldermen Manny Flores and Scott Waguespack for this, which passed unanimously last week: 2-45-155 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Sunshine Ordinance. The following TlF-related documents for each active TIF district shall be made publicly available on the City of Chicago, Department of Community Development website: 1. The ordinances establishing each TIF district, including all attachments,…
Privatization & Public Safety
“I can tell you right now how to shave $10 million off the city budget,” a DeKalb business person told me recently. How? “Privatize everything.” It’s an extreme view redolent of anti-union sentiment and we will not be hearing pronouncements from city hall about contracting out for basic services anytime soon, I’m sure. However, that…
End of an Era
My son’s last day on the job was today. He’s been fired. At 12 years old.
Re:New Report
Perhaps you listened to the part of the WLBK mayoral candidates’ forum last month when I challenged the notion that installation of the synthetic skating rink had translated into more downtown shopping dollars (an argument for its purchase)–in which case you then heard in response the sound of our then-acting-mayor waving a sheet of paper…
Rental Housing Nuisance Act
From a comment made yesterday: I had a nightmare that the rental inspection fee made a come back in the summer of 2009, after most of the NIU students left. I don’t know what the city might be cooking up, but a new rental inspection law, HB3857, is making its way through the Illinois General…
Dose of the Best Medicine
Home Rule Channel
YouTube video slices of the Home Rule petition challenge hearing:
Home Rule Petition Challenged
Stories here and here. I not only signed the petition but also helped gather a few signatures myself, believing we need to have a conversation about Home Rule and wanting to vote on it in April. If you feel the same, please join us at City Hall on Monday at 1:30 p.m. for a hearing…