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Chicago Tribune: How Illinois politicians pick their voters
Springfield saw the arrival of a curious contraption May 5.
Outside the Illinois State Board of Elections was a 36-foot-long file cabinet, filled with more than 500,000 signatures, each one symbolizing a vote of no confidence in a rigged political system.
Throughout the state’s history, Illinois politicians have drawn political boundaries. Leaders have carefully crafted legislative maps to maximize the chance of success for the incumbent party. This system has led to a lack of competitive politics, and an equally distressing lack of confidence in state government.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago loses if Airbnb ordinance ignores residents' concerns
ew years ago, it went like this: A traveler visiting Chicago could book a room in one of the city’s many hotels, mostly major chains and mostly downtown, or stay with friends or family. A few inns and bed-and-breakfasts existed for those who knew where to look. And that was it.
Then came Airbnb and the burgeoning “sharing economy.” Heralded by travelers and the tech world as a “win-win,” the online service connects anyone with space to rent with those looking for a place to sleep — often at rates lower than the big hotels and in neighborhoods where lodging is scarce. Airbnb’s popularity has soared, in Chicago and other cities around the globe.
For consumers, the sharing economy, typified by services such as Airbnb and ride-share networks Uber and Lyft, has been a gift — especially for those who live in neighborhoods where taxis rarely visit and hotels are nonexistent. For workers scraping by in an era of layoffs and no raises, these new businesses have provided a way for anyone with a car or a spare room to earn a little extra income.
Points and Figures: Chicago And The Sharing Economy
There is a big debate happening in Chicago political circles right now on the sharing economy. So far, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has stood on the side of the sharing economy and I am glad he has.
Politicians and regulators want to stop it. Established businesses wish it would go away.
When the smartphone came out ten years ago, everyone thought it was cool. No one could see the impact it would make on our society. Smartphones are one of the single greatest inventions ever in the history of mankind.
Sun-Times: Despite law, nonprofits contributed to politicians
Though federal law bars them from doing so, nearly 90 not-for-profit churches, hospitals and schools in Illinois have contributed a total of more than $84,000 to campaigns and other political funds over the past decade, an analysis of campaign records shows.
While nonprofits such as trade associations and unions are allowed to engage in some campaigning, the Internal Revenue Service code prohibits direct political activity by charitable organizations known as 501(c)(3) groups.
That designation — referring to the section of the IRS code that covers them — grants tax-exempt status to organizations operated, for instance, for religious, charitable or educational purposes. Because of those public missions, the government grants them exemptions from income, property and sales taxes, and their donors’ contributions can be tax-deductible.
Sun-Times: State income tax hike is one of ‘working group’s’ recommendations
A hike in the state income tax, an expansion of the sales tax and $2.5 billion in cuts are among the key budget recommendations that rank-and-file lawmakers have sent to top legislative leaders, sources told the Sun-Times.
A bipartisan working group dubbed the “Budgeteer” group proposed the package for $5.4 billion in new revenue and sent it to the leaders on Wednesday.
News-Gazette: Contract fight back on agenda
In September 2015, the legislature narrowly upheld Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation to strip the governor of his authority to negotiate on taxpayers’ behalf with unionized workers and transfer contract-making authority to an independent arbitrator.
It was a heck of a tough fight; the setback left Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan fuming about losing his effort to show the new Republican governor who really runs Illinois.
Madigan subsequently gained his revenge in the March primary against the double-crossing Democrat — Chicago state Rep. Kenneth Dunkin — who skipped the vote and cost Madigan what he perceived as his due. Next week, Madigan will try to do the same against Rauner when virtually identical legislation is expected to come up again for an override vote.