Caitlin Nordahl | West Cook News

Jefferson Park residents decry pedophilia-based drama

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 9, 2017

A Chicago Fringe Festival one-person show has sparked controversy and led to some Jefferson Park residents saying they plan to protest upcoming performances, according to a Facebook event posting.

Cicero probe examines how 'destroyed' gun ended up by gang member's body

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 5, 2017

A gun found near the body of a man fatally shot five years ago by a Cicero police officer was supposed to have been destroyed by Chicago police eight years earlier after it was turned over to them through a buyback program, according to the Better Government Association (BGA).

Being 'mad at the math' won't end Illinois' ongoing financial woes, attorney says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 14, 2017

Illinois’ economy will take decades to recover from the state’s current pension and workers’ compensation obligations, to say nothing of the debts continually being added because of a significant lack of reform, according to a blistering analysis from Chicago attorney Eugene Keefe.

Illinois held down by economic, moral decay, analyst says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 2, 2017

While every state around it continues to grow in population and prosperity, Illinois keeps shrinking under the strain of higher taxes and more regulations, Michael Lucci, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, said in an article on the institute's website.

Overtaxed Illinoisans also seeing nation's smallest growth in personal income

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 23, 2017

Illinois’ average personal income growth since the Great Recession is tied with Nevada for the worst in the country, according to data from Pew Charitable Trusts recently published on the Illinois Policy Institute website.

Oak Park pulls discussion on minimum wage increase

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 23, 2017

The Oak Park Board of Trustees took the upcoming countywide minimum wage hike off the table at its recent meeting following public outcry, according to OakPark.com.

All play and no work — yet legislators still draw paychecks, policy pro argues

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 9, 2017

Lawmakers have spent very little time in their seats, but at least they got to have play time, Austin Berg wrote on the Illinois Policy Institute website recently.

General Assembly gives itself another month to reach budget accord

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 8, 2017

The General Assembly will meet in a continuous session through June to try to put a budget in place for the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

Madigan rep says Democratic gubernatorial candidates toe the line on tax increase

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 1, 2017

All of the Democrats hoping to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018 are backing Speaker of the House Michael Madigan's budget goal of raising taxes rather than enacting reforms, a Madigan spokesman told the Chicago Tribune recently.

Rauner says end run around Madigan only way forward for Illinois

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

The buckling stops here, Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a call-in radio show recently.

Watchdogs: Who's Joe, and why did Mautino pay him $12,487?

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

As a state lawmaker, Frank Mautino paid nearly $12,500 in campaign fund cash to a man named Joe without keeping any supporting receipts, according to a government oversight group.

Tax analyst: Illinoisans crushed under weight of sales, income, property taxes

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 25, 2017

Illinoisans pay more in total taxes than anyone else in the nation, so any thoughts about adding to that burden need to be forgotten, a tax analyst argued recently.

Small businesses have big role to play in saving Illinois, Rauner says on tour

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 18, 2017

Illinois can't grow unless its small businesses grow, Gov. Bruce Rauner told owners and employees of several of the state's 1 million such businesses on a brief tour recently.

War hero, ex-CIA boss Petraeus to speak at Chicago fundraiser

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 5, 2017

Ret. Gen. David Petraeus, perhaps best known for leading the American military efforts in Iraq under Presdent George W. Bush, will provide the keynote address at the 6th Annual Navy Seal Foundation's "Chicago Evening of Tribute," a fundraising event that supports Naval Special Warfare (NSW) families.

Illinoisans told to take consolidation into their own hands

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 25, 2017

A public policy group is calling on Illinoisans to demand that the Senate follow the House's lead and approve a bill that would allow voters to decide to consolidate local governments.

Oak Park voters warned of tax 'spike' if referendums pass

By Caitlin Nordahl | Mar 27, 2017

If voters approve two Oak Park School District 97 referendums on April 4, they'd better be ready to pay an additional $700 a year in property taxes on average, a taxpayer advocacy group warned recently.