Michael McGrady | West Cook News

Electro Motive Diesel considering leaving La Grange facility

By Michael McGrady | Feb 13, 2018

Caterpillar, the publicly traded construction management giant, announced through its railway services subsidiary Progress Rail Services that it is considering closing its historic Electro Motive Diesel (EMD) facility in La Grange.

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Oak Park business suggests city turns deaf ear to wage hike worries

By Michael McGrady | Jun 25, 2017

Oak Park has decided not to decide.

Oak Park businesses brace for wage hike, raise doubts about future

By Michael McGrady | Jun 16, 2017

Oak Park hasn't opted out of a countywide ordinance to raise the minimum wage that takes effect on July 1, leaving many local businesses wondering whether they have a future in the Chicago suburb.

River Forest said to be on board with township consolidation -- probably

By Michael McGrady | Jun 14, 2017

River Forest residents are under the thumb of two governmental entities, the village and the township, and Catherine Adduci says it's time to get out from under.

Freshmen legislators vent frustration at failure of budget deal

By Michael McGrady | Jun 1, 2017

Many freshmen lawmakers say the crash and burn they saw on Wednesday night came about because the Democrats don't know how to drive.

Manar attacks Kankakee Times for publishing school funding numbers

By Michael McGrady | May 26, 2017

Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is demanding a state investigation after the Kankakee Times reported on the anticipated district-by-district financial impact of his Senate Bill 1, which promises to change the state's formula for dispensing money to public schools.

Senate weighs measure to let quarry owners off hook for groundwater monitoring

By Michael McGrady | May 12, 2017

A measure that appears to undermine efforts to establish groundwater monitoring rules for construction debris fill operations at unlined quarries has sailed through the House and now awaits Senate approval.

Illinois households saddled with $56,000 tax burden to pay government employees' retirement debt

By Michael McGrady | Apr 2, 2017

Taxpayers across Illinois are saddled with a major tax burden, a recent report from the Illinois Policy Institute concluded.

DuPage college trustee allegedly urged to destroy public record

By Michael McGrady | Mar 29, 2017

A College of DuPage trustee was apparently advised to destroy a public record by a former legal counsel while several criminal investigations were taking place at the college, according to documents obtained by the Edgar County Watchdogs, a public advocacy group.