Chicago ranks among the top in WalletHub’s “Most Sinful Cities in America” survey. A Republican state representative said it’s another example of its crumbling moral foundation.

In a new WalletHub survey, Chicago ranks No. 16 out of 180 cities from among 37 key indicators that range from thefts to aggravated assaults to other violent crimes. With the city earning some of its highest marks in the areas of lust (No. 16) and anger and hatred (No. 46), Chicago’s total vice index score of 47.39 puts it higher on the list than such cities as New Orleans (45.92), Detroit (44.69) and Washington D.C. (42.28).

A growing chorus of Chicago Public Schools principals reiterated their support for CEO Pedro Martinez on Monday, as the ongoing power struggle over the country’s fourth-largest school district showed no signs of abating as the first half of the school year winds down.

In a monthslong battle with the administration of former CPS teacher and Chicago Teachers Union organizer Mayor Brandon Johnson and the union, Martinez’s job at the helm of the district’s more than 600 schools has been on the line since the start of the school year.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is working toward the framework of an agreement to end the budget stalemate that could shrink a property tax increase to $68.1 million while eliminating guaranteed basic income and small business programs bankrolled by federal pandemic relief funds.

The City’s Council’s unanimous decision to shoot down Johnson’s $300 million property tax increase had already convinced the mayor to cut the increase in half — to $150 million — primarily by raising taxes on cloud computing and streaming services.

Pledging to “build a safer, stronger Cook County,” new State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke announced policy changes Monday to keep those accused of violent crime behind bars while awaiting trial.

County prosecutors will seek pretrial incarceration for defendants charged with detainable felonies while using or possessing a firearm, domestic violence involving a weapon, sex offenses involving victims under 13 years old, among others, Burke said.

During the Decatur City Council’s Monday night meeting, they approved both the City’s AFSCME union contract and a 6% property tax levy.

The new AFSCME union contract passed unanimously. It’ll cover January 2025, through December 2028, includes a 4% raise each year and requires that City workers to live within a 50-mile radius of Decatur.