A Cook County grand jury has convened in connection with
allegations a top schools chief misused public money, a source
close to the investigation tells the SouthtownStar.
Several thousand Illinois residents won't be able to hop in their cars and leave if they have one too many drinks at a Fourth of July party, thanks to a new law that already may be saving lives here and in other states.
Chicago police say there was a 10.4 percent drop in total crime citywide in June compared to the same month last year.
Have a Happy Fourth of July!
July 2, 2009
The Fourth of July is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to the founders of our great nation, and commemorate America's path to becoming a sovereign country.
As the nation prepares to recognize its independence, please remember to celebrate safely and responsibly!
Budget impasse continues into the new fiscal year
July 2, 2009
Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a major budget measure, Senate Bill 1197, on July 1, claiming that he had no choice but to reject the proposal, which he said “does not effectively address Illinois’ growing budgetary and economic calamity.”
The Governor’s veto was not unexpected – he addressed a joint session of the General Assembly on June 30, and pledged to veto the budget, saying he would keep lawmakers in Springfield until a budget more to his liking is passed.
SPRINGFIELD -- While continuing to push for structural reforms in Illinois government, Senate Republicans today offered a “bridge” solution to the state’s budget crisis which funds all of state government – without a tax increase – and avoids the devastating human service budget cuts that Democrats approved last month.
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno recommended temporarily spending at the previous fiscal year’s level until responsible cuts can be made and reforms can be put in place. The Republican leader raised the proposal in the latest meeting with Governor Quinn and legislative leaders, but the Democrat leaders chose to adjourn session abruptly on Wednesday.
Following
a legislative leaders meeting in Chicago on Wednesday, Governor Quinn announced
he was calling the General Assembly back into session on Tuesday, June 23, for a
special session. The Governor made the decision to call lawmakers back to
Springfield, although no significant progress has been made on resolving the
state budget or any agreement by Democrat leaders to accept needed reforms to
address ethics and the gerrymandering of legislative and congressional
districts.
Radogno and Cross again emphasize need to end
gerrymandering
In the second
major commentary of the week – this time in the Chicago Sun-Times –
Republican leaders Christine Radogno and Tom Cross again emphasized that ending
the political gerrymandering of Illinois is critical to moving beyond the
gridlock that has paralyzed the state for the past several years.
July 2, 2009
July 2, 2009
June 24, 2009
June 17, 2009