West Cook News

Roll Call: Hernandez votes for allowing teachers to “spike” their pensions

By LGIS News Service | Jun 18, 2019

State Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-24) on May 31 voted for a $40 million budget package that included a hidden gem for teachers -- the removal of a 3 percent cap on end-of-career pension spiking for Illinois educators.

Roll Call: Welch votes for allowing teachers to “spike” their pensions

By LGIS News Service | Jun 15, 2019

State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch (D-7) on May 31 voted for a $40 million budget package that included a hidden gem for teachers -- the removal of a 3 percent cap on end-of-career pension spiking for Illinois educators.

Roll Call: Harmon votes for abortion rights bill

By LGIS News Service | Jun 13, 2019

Illinois state Sen. Don Harmon (D-39) on May 31 voted for a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

From South Cook News

Roll Call: Curran votes against abortion rights bill

By LGIS News Service | 5 years ago

Illinois state Sen. John F. Curran (R-41) on May 31 voted for a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Roll Call: Glowiak votes for abortion rights bill

By LGIS News Service | Jun 13, 2019

Illinois state Sen. Suzy Glowiak (D-24) on May 31 voted for a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Roll Call: Durkin votes against abortion rights bill

By LGIS News Service | Jun 8, 2019

Illinois state Rep. Jim Durkin (R-82) on May 28 voted against a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Roll Call: Hernandez votes for abortion rights bill

By LGIS News Service | Jun 7, 2019

Illinois state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-24) on May 28 voted for a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

Roll Call: Welch votes for abortion rights bill

By LGIS News Service | Jun 7, 2019

Illinois state Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch (D-7) on May 28 voted for a measure that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws.

From Prairie State Wire

$0.59 per homeowner in Burbank, $7.34 in Rantoul. New Illinois state program delivers 'property tax relief' to top-taxed homeowners

By LGIS News Service | 5 years ago

For the state’s most highly taxed homeowners, it isn’t nothing. But it’s close.

Report: At OPRF H.S., black student rule-breaking six times rate of whites’, 22x Asians

By LGIS News Service | May 17, 2019

Black students make up just 20 percent of the Oak Park-River Forest High School student population, but they are responsible for more than half of its rule infractions, according to a “School Discipline Report” published by the district.

From Prairie State Wire

Springfield considering gas tax hike even though Illinois already pays among the most in U.S.

By LGIS News Service | 5 years ago

Even without the increases in the Illinois gas tax now being proposed by state lawmakers, Illinois has the 10th highest state gas taxes in the nation, according to July 2018 numbers from the Washington-based Tax Foundation.

From Prairie State Wire

NCAA tournament lacks Illinois teams, not Illinois players

By LGIS News Service | 6 years ago

Illinois has 13 Division I college basketball teams eligible for the NCAA tournament.

Analysis: On eve of $22 million bond vote, Komarek SD 94 sees enrollment climb, but taxes fall

By LGIS News Service | Mar 19, 2019

Komarek SD 94 has seen its enrollment climb by 66 percent over the past 20 years.

Property tax roundup: Oak Park, Maywood, Stone Park have highest tax bills in West Cook County

By LGIS News Service | Mar 10, 2019

IRS lawyer-turned insurance CEO Vikki L. Pryor paid $757,000 for a four-bedroom, four-bath home at 1001 N. Euclid Ave. in northeast Oak Park in August 2005, or $975,657 in today’s dollars.

Cava and Garcia all but guaranteed to retain Cicero trustee seats

By LGIS News Service | Feb 27, 2019

John Cava and Victor R. Garcia will likely retain their Cicero trustee seats after garnering the most votes in Tuesday's consolidated election.

From Chicago City Wire

Cook County paid more than $1.23 million in worker’s comp benefits in January

By LGIS News Service | 6 years ago

Cook County paid out more than $1.23 million in worker’s compensation benefits last month, according to records obtained by Chicago City Wire through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Diversity consultants to help OPRF equalize student performance, tackle "language from dominant voices"

By LGIS News Service | Feb 11, 2019

School counselor and "diversity consultant" Binita Donohue leads a special Oak Park-River Forest High School District 200 board meeting Monday night centered on how to equalize academic performance between white and black students.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Only 3 other states, District of Columbia have $15 minimum wage

By LGIS News Service | 6 years ago

If a current Senate bill clears the House and is signed into law, Illinois will join three other states and the District of Columbia in soon paying a minimum wage of $15 per hour.

Leyden District 212, Oak Park & River Forest District 200 eligible for ISBE’s property tax relief grant

By LGIS News Service | Jan 29, 2019

Two school districts in west Cook County are eligible to receive Property Tax Relief Grants, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today.

From Chicago City Wire

Are taxes and bans the future of plastic shopping bags in Illinois?

By LGIS News Service | 6 years ago

The state legislature adjourned before taking action on Senate Bill 1597, which would require Illinois consumers to pay a 5 cent fee for every single-use paper or plastic bag, but similar proposals are being considered at the county and local levels.