Chicago Sun-Times

Madigan pension reform package passes House in tight vote

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:50:04 -0500

POLITICS BLOG: The Illinois House Thursday narrowly backed a bi-partisan pension-reform package pushed by House Speaker Michael Madigan and put the question of solving the state’s nearly $100 billion pension crisis in the lap of the state Senate. In a sober debate lasting a little more than an hour, the House voted 62-51, with six members voting present. Sixty votes were needed for Madigan’s measure to clear the House.

Penny Pritzker’s failed Superior Bank lost customer savings in subprime crisis

Thu, 02 May 2013 07:44:53 -0500

EDITOR’S NOTE: This report originally appeared on suntimes.com in 2008, written by former Sun-Times political reporter Abdon Pallasch. White House hopeful Barack Obama talks a lot on the campaign trail about how failing banks have used subprime loans to victimize customers. “Part of the reason we got a current mortgage crisis has to do with the fact that people got suckered in to loans that they could not pay,” he told a crowd in Reading, Pa., last week. “There were a lot of predatory loans that were given out, a lot of teaser rates. Banks and financial institutions making these …

Senate passes ‘puppy lemon’ legislation

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:21:54 -0500

If the state protects consumers who unknowingly buy “lemon” cars, why shouldn’t the same safeguards exist when putting down big money on Fido, Murph or Fluffy at a pet store? State lawmakers took a serious look at that question Wednesday.

Joe Walsh, ex-wife squabble over child support

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:14:00 -0500

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh visited a Cook County courtroom Wednesday as lawyers for the fiery Tea Party Republican and his ex-wife continue to sort out his final few months of child-support payments before their youngest child graduates high school.

Work is stopped on UNO high school after state halts funding

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:22:32 -0500

Construction was halted Tuesday on a new, state-funded charter high school being built on the Southwest Side for the state’s largest charter-school operator, the politically influential United Neighborhood Organization, after the project’s general contractor said UNO has fallen behind in its payments for the work. The move came five days after Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration suspended funding to UNO following Chicago Sun-Times reports on insider deals.

State cuts off money to UNO charter schools over insider deals

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:21:25 -0500

Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration has cut off funding to the state’s largest charter-school operator, the politically influential United Neighborhood Organization, over insider deals it says violated the terms of a $98 million state grant, according to a letter obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. The deals involved millions of dollars in state funds that went to companies owned by two brothers of a high-ranking UNO executive, Miguel d’Escoto.

Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board investigating judge who’s hearing Daley nephew case

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:43:43 -0500

THE WATCHDOGS: The McHenry County judge presiding over the manslaughter case of former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s nephew is now the subject of a judicial ethics investigation over her divorce from a man who continues to live with her seven years later while owing his former law clients hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Koschman special prosecutor bills come to $1 million

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:43:43 -0500

More than $1 million — that’s the final tally for the special prosecutor’s investigation that led to a manslaughter charge against former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s nephew Richard J. “R.J.” Vanecko after the Chicago Police Department and Cook County state’s attorney’s office twice declined to charge him in the 2004 death of David Koschman.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel draws Hollywood backing thanks to agent-brother Ari Emanuel

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:21:42 -0500

Now halfway into his four-year term, Mayor Rahm Emanuel again has been able to attract major campaign contributions from Hollywood stars, thanks to his super-agent brother Ari Emanuel. More than 55 percent of contributions reported by the mayor’s political fund since the start of the year have come from out of state, according to documents filed this week with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Cook County car sales tax may be revamped

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:39:20 -0500

Currently, vehicles that are five years or newer are taxed at $225, while vehicles six- to 10-years old are assessed $200 and vehicles 11 years or older are taxed $175. But Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman describes it as an “overly aggressive tax that punishes low-income earners and young people in particular” who might be buying their first car and have a limited budget to work with.

Cook homeowners could save on next tax bill under legislation sent to Gov. Quinn

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:44:39 -0500

Seniors could save about $200 annually on their property tax bills — and younger homeowners a smaller amount — if the governor signs the legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly.

State considers eliminating job of lieutenant governor

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:02:00 -0500

SPRINGFIELD-Four Illinois lieutenant governors during the state’s 195-year history have quit in mid-term, and one, in so doing, declared the job so boring that anyone of “average” intelligence could master its duties in a week. But the office has remained untouched until now, when a new and unexpected debate over its usefulness sprung up in Springfield as the Illinois House voted overwhelmingly to ask voters next year to mothball it.

Illinois Republican Party chairman Pat Brady survives latest ouster attempt after gay-marriage flap

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:08:59 -0500

Illinois’ Republican Party chairman Pat Brady escaped another ouster attempt Saturday and said his party must be more welcoming of diversity and inclusive of people who disagree if it’s going to grow and win future elections.

Suburban elections: Offices on ballot crucial, turnout ‘pitiful’

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:46:00 -0500

Turnout was mostly poor Tuesday as hundreds of local elected posts were up for grabs in the suburbs. “That’s pitiful,” Will County Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots said. “This is the most important election.” From tax rates and public improvements to basic services such as snow plowing, residents will see the day’s balloting having a direct impact on their lives. Local units of government with slots being filled Tuesday have control over an estimated $1 billion in public money. “There is no reason they should not vote,” Voots said.

Candidate seeking Beavers’ old seat on county board fined in campaign ethics case

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:23:37 -0500

The candidate thought to be a leading contender to replace convicted tax cheat Cook County Commissioner William Beavers’ paid off an pending ethics fine of his own Tuesday — two days before the replacement is chosen. Stanley Moore, who made an unsuccessful bid for the Illinois House and is a one-time Illinois Department of Transportation boss, was fined campaigning during work hours, a state ethics commission determined.