Daily Herald: Lincolnshire creates right-to-work zone that unions oppose
Lincolnshire has become the first town in the Chicago area to establish itself as a right-to-work zone, a move critics have assailed as anti-union.
It’s also a move experts say is sure to face a legal challenge.
To create the zone, the village board approved an ordinance preventing local employers from requiring workers to pay union dues with payroll deductions.
Chicago Tribune: Seattle becomes first U.S. city to let Uber, Lyft drivers unionize
Seattle on Monday became the first city in the nation to allow drivers of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to unionize over pay and working conditions.
Supporters erupted into cheers after the City Council voted 8-0 in favor of the legislation, which is seen as a test case for the changing 21st century workforce. The companies strongly oppose it, and several council members acknowledged there would be legal challenges ahead but said it was worth doing.
The measure requires companies that hire or contract with drivers of taxis, for-hire transportation companies and app-based ride-hailing services to bargain with their drivers, if a majority shows they want to be represented. Drivers would be represented by nonprofit organizations certified by the city.
NBC Chicago: City Hall Emails Show Trail to Top Emanuel Aides
Senior members of the Emanuel administration received and sent emails about the video of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald long before the mayor said he was fully briefed, emails obtained by NBC5 News show.
The emails were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request and show that the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and top press aides were included in email chains.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/City-Hall-Emails-Show-Trail-to-Top-Emanuel-Aides–362039771.html#ixzz3uOo0qHPy
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Chicago Sun Times: Chicago Teachers Union votes to back strike
Nearly every one of the thousands of Chicago teachers who cast ballots last week to determine whether they could go on strike voted to do so.
The Chicago Teachers Union announced Monday that 96.5 percent of those casting ballots last week voted to back the strike. With nearly 92 percent of members voting, that means about 88 percent of all members support a strike, according to CTU vice president Jesse Sharkey. Still, walking off the job couldn’t happen any sooner than late March.
“Rahm Emanuel really does not need a teachers strike,” Sharkey said. “And what we’re telling him is if he doesn’t listen to us, that’s what he’ll get.”
NPR: Pensions: Back On The Table
Even with all of its fiscal troubles Illinois will have to put nearly $8 billion into its retirement systems next year — that’s a quarter of the state’s expected revenue. Legislative leaders and the governor may finally be poised to begin talking about how they may be able to reduce costs.
Since then, there’s been little serious discussion about the pension situation — until now.
Daily Herald: Hamilton resigns from College of DuPage board
After only seven months as the chairwoman of the College of DuPage board, Kathy Hamilton unexpectedly resigned Sunday, according to a letter addressed to COD students, faculty and constituents.
In the letter, Hamilton cited “personal reasons” for her decision to quit.
“It is with sadness … that for personal reasons I am resigning from this board effective immediately,” Hamilton wrote. “I have enjoyed working together with my fellow trustees to build upon the strengths of COD and address its future needs. I will miss the collaboration and energetic debate that marks the COD board as one that is so caring and committed to all of its stakeholders.”
City Limits: Did St. Louis taxes push Jason Heyward toward Chicago?
It’s not often you hear someone coming to Chicago for economic opportunity. At least, not unless you’re a white-collar worker in the Loop or a star athlete.
Jason Heyward is the latter.
Multiple news outlets reported on Dec. 11 that the Gold Glove outfielder will leave the St. Louis Cardinals behind for an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Sun Times: Judge finds CPD Cmdr. Glenn Evans innocent on all counts
Chicago Police Cmdr. Glenn Evans was acquitted Monday of aggravated battery and official misconduct charges by a Cook County judge.
Issuing her ruling Monday after three days of testimony in Evans’ bench trial, Judge Diane Cannon made note of the protests touched off last month by the release of graphic video of a Chicago Police officer gunning down teenager Laquan McDonald.
“My ruling does not pertain to misconduct committed by law enforcement throughout the city and country, nor does it pertain to the victims of brutality by law enforcement,” she said.