South Cook News

Higher restaurant wages could stabilize paychecks — and eliminate job opportunities

By Robert Hadley | Sep 28, 2019

Although Chicago is mulling whether to bump the hourly minimum wage for restaurant workers from $6.40 an hour plus tips to the full minimum wage of $13 (and to $15 by 2021), one area activist fears the plan could backfire.

Pastor and former 10th Ward candidate keeps faith in wake of fetal remains discovery

By Robert Hadley | Sep 27, 2019

The gruesome discovery of more than 2,000 aborted fetal remains in the home of a recently deceased Crete, Illinois, abortion doctor has prompted a predictably strong reaction from conservative activists and religious leaders.

Coffee & Conversation session with Mayor Joe Marchese, Sen. John Curran, Rep. Jim Durkin set for July 10

By Robert Hadley | Jul 5, 2019

A Coffee & Conversation session with Darien Mayor Joe Marchese and two members of the state legislature is scheduled at Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 10.

Records show Orland Park trustee voted for measures that would have hiked property taxes

By Robert Hadley | Feb 7, 2019

Although Carole Griffin Ruzich told Suburban Chicagoland she never voted to raise property taxes during her years as a trustee on the Orland Park Village Board, the public record tells a different story

From DuPage Policy Journal

Morrison, Ives urge rebuilding GOP after Rauner confesses election apathy

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

A bombshell new report that soon-to-be ex-Gov. Bruce Rauner bailed out on his reelection campaign has some Republicans fuming.

Hebein's 35th District House campaign to cut taxes, waste derailed by Tuesday's loss

By Robert Hadley | Nov 8, 2018

GOP state House candidate Herbert Hebein lost his fight for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, capturing 32 percent of the vote.

From Prairie State Wire

Rauner concedes governor's race to Pritzker

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

Incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner conceded defeat Tuesday night as Democrat J.B. Pritzker claimed the governorship of Illinois, capturing 59 percent of the vote to Rauner’s 35 percent.

In 35th District race, Hebein says a vote for Hurley means higher taxes

By Robert Hadley | Nov 2, 2018

Herbert Hebein, a retired Chicago police officer and GOP state House candidate in District 35, said a vote for his opponent, state Rep. Frances Ann Hurley (D-Mt. Greenwood), would continue the same broken system.

From Chicago City Wire

Support grows for prohibiting lawmakers' side work as property tax attorneys

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

If the process of assessing Chicago property taxes is “opaque,” as the Illinois Policy Institute states, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: allowing aldermen to serve as property tax attorneys may be a conflict of interest.

From Chicago City Wire

Madigan funding ensures key votes, Illinois Policy Institute reports

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

House Speaker Mike Madigan has provided a combined $15 million in funding to dozens of state representatives currently holding office, the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) reports.

From Chicago City Wire

Tickets available to Kyle Schwarber's charity block party Aug. 26

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

Grilled meats, signature cocktails and a charity auction are highlights of Kyle Schwarber’s Second Annual Block Party to honor the city’s first responders.

New tax equation jumps home assessments 6.25 percent in Lake Township

By Robert Hadley | Aug 12, 2018

Lake Township residents may be in for sticker shock this year when they receive their 2018 property tax bills.

From Prairie State Wire

Moving survey shows outmigration up in Illinois

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

Illinois ranks fourth nationwide in terms of outmigration, according to recent data from Stevens Worldwide Van Lines.

From Prairie State Wire

Liberty Justice Center attorney says practical, ideological reasons led to SCOTUS decision on union fees

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling this weak overturning a decades-old decision allowing unions to charge non-members for lobbying seems to belong a world away, ideologically, from the one in 1977 that said such fees were constitutional.

From Chicago City Wire

For larger communities like Alsip, cross-training first responders not a viable option

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

News that the Village of Glencoe has cross-trained all its emergency response staff, and can now use a single fund for police and firefighter retirement benefits raises the question about whether other communities have attempted similar consolidation.

From Chicago City Wire

Hosty: GOP unity is needed for November election victories

By Robert Hadley | 6 years ago

After his recent victory over Carol Smith Donovan for a seat on the Illinois Republican Central Committee, newcomer Mark Hosty had some conciliatory words for his fellow Republicans.

Markham ex-mayor facing federal charges in alleged kickback scheme

By Robert Hadley | Dec 12, 2017

Ex-Markham Mayor David Webb Jr. was accused in federal court in Chicago of bribery, according to a Dec. 1 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Cook County commissioners urged to consider whether soda tax is needed

By Robert Hadley | Oct 2, 2017

The Better Government Association is urging Chicago commissioners to exercise due diligence in determining whether Cook County's controversial soda tax should be repealed.