-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Top Illinois Stories
Already, one of the two leaders tapped by Trump to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, Vivek Ramaswamy, has said the incoming administration will scrutinize billions of dollars in “11th-hour transactions,” including the loan offer to Rivian.
"I'll just say Indiana is a low-wage state that doesn't protect workers, a state that does not provide health care for people when they're in need, and so I don't think it's attractive for anybody in Illinois where wages are higher where the standard of living is higher, and we do provide health care for people in need," Pritzker said.
The Duane Morris report authors noted the revisions to the law should significantly reduce the risk faced by businesses in Illinois under BIPA, bringing it back into line with the risks more regularly associated with class actions under other federal and state privacy laws. However, the report authors said that risk also remains "sizable" and the potential payouts should remain attractive to plaintiffs' lawyers.
State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders remains confident that Gov. JB Pritzker and lawmakers will find a way to balance the budget and still fund the agency’s budget request - a 4.6 percent increase over this year's budget. “While most of state government’s going to be looking at potential freezes, we are really pleased to see a governor and legislature that is committed to public education funding, even in tight fiscal times,” he said.
If HB 1008 passes, the Indiana General Assembly would create an “Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission” tasked with helping those Illinois counties become part of the Hoosier State. ”That is a process that follows a Constitutional process for redrawing state boundaries,” Speaker Huston said. ”We think there might be some interest in the Illinois Legislature to do that.”
More Highlighted Illinois Stories
Willie Wilson: "In 2019, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation into law requiring public corporations with headquarters in Illinois to disclose annual data regarding the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of their boards. The Illinois Corporate Board Diversity, Inclusion and Representation Report released in 2023 by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign notes racial and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented on boards."
State Rep. Charlie Meier, whose district includes Highland, supports separation but says support in Congress is highly unlikely. He’s introduced a joint resolution for a state constitutional amendment to allot one state senator per three contiguous counties, which would give down state Illinois a senate majority instead of Chicago, which now dominates both houses of the Illinois General Assembly.
Just in December, companies announced 670 mass layoffs. The highest concentration of job losses – 123 of the 670 layoffs – hit Bolingbrook after Hyzon Motors USA Inc. announced in December it would be reducing staff size at its corporate office. Peoria followed closely with the second-highest number of mass layoffs. Natural Fiber Welding Inc. announced 91 layoffs across three company locations in Peoria during December.
Among those who will not attend, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez "doesn't feel safe" to be present with supporters of the president-elect. Rep. Ramirez was sworn into Congress in 2023, so this would be her first opportunity to attend a presidential inauguration.
The package contains a renewed request for the General Assembly to pass public safety pension reform by extending the amortization periods, and to oppose efforts to roll back Tier 2 pension benefits to Tier 1 levels. “This would have a negative impact on our fiscal situation, adding more costs to us as the benefits would be enhanced for those current tier two members,” said City Manager Patrick Urich, noting around a dozen bills with Tier 2 rollbacks already have been introduced.
Among the recipients: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, a Hillside Democrat who refused to call the Pritzker-backed measure for a vote this month despite likely having enough support among legislators for it to pass.
Metra and Pace said they generally support a strengthened RTA after Chairman Kirk Dillard laid out a vision Wednesday that requires $1.5 billion in additional state money to run many more trains and buses. Dillard said his agency is “agnostic” about how lawmakers generate the $1.5 billion it is asking for.
As a new General Assembly begins, it remains unclear how lawmakers and the governor plan to plug the projected deficit. Republicans’ main concern is Democrats will resort to tax increases to boost revenue and avoid spending cuts. “I know they’re going to be talking about needing additional revenue, but there’s no reason to do that. We’re spending almost $20 billion more than we were eight years ago,” Rep. CD Davidsmeyer said.
The state’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year increased funding for homeless services by $200 million, and in 2025 there will be an additional $90 million allotted to the Home Illinois budget. However, the Illinois Shelter Alliance said the $290 million is not sufficient and is asking for an additional $100 million.
“Our expanded transfer guarantee welcomes home the students who have chosen to begin their college education in another state but are looking to return to the Land of Lincoln,” system President Tim Killeen said.
The Illinois state government is hiring for more than 280 positions across the Land of Lincoln as of Jan. 7.
“I would be open to any method to run downstate counties in a more efficient manner than under Cook County’s leadership, including talks with Indiana, Kentucky or Missouri,” said Dave Stopher, a Troy resident who led the charge to get the referendum before Illinois voters.
“I would say yes and no,” Nicole Hallett, clinical professor of law at the University of Chicago, said when asked if state and municipal laws kneecap immigration enforcement. “The Welcoming City ordinance does not prevent any enforcement from happening in the city of Chicago or anywhere else. ICE can fully operate … (but) it can make it a lot harder for the federal government to have an effective immigration enforcement plan.”
In 2024, through patrol enforcement and special violent crime reduction missions, ISP also saw a 7 percent decrease in fatal crashes, a 3 percent increase in illegal firearms seized, and a 24 percent increase in vehicles recovered.
State Rep. David Friess, also a veteran, said he’s unsure if U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth really cares whether Pete Hegseth is qualified. “I have no idea if she actually believes what she says, but the hyperbolic nature and the way she says it … I think it is for social media,” said Friess. “You do this stuff and you get your base riled up and I thought her actions were shameful.”
"There are many good choices for a new flag, proposed by everyday Illinoisans from around the state with thoughtful essays about what a design represents. There’s a monarch butterfly and corn kernels and profiles of Honest Abe. Each deserves your consideration. But it’s hard to represent the entire state in one flag."
Jim Dey: "For decades, former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership team decided what passed and what didn’t — unwelcome legislation was assigned to the House Rules Committee for a quick burial. (House Speaker Chris) Welch transferred critics’ objections about him and his leadership team to his 78-member House caucus."
Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard is calling for fare hikes of 10 percent, which he estimated could generate about $50 million, driven by the need to account for inflation. That would amount to a roughly $0.25 hike on the current $2.50 CTA train fare, or an increase of about $0.68 to travel one way across four Metra zones. Another $50 million could be generated through savings from the restructured RTA.
Gotion has spent a total of $183 million in its purchase of 672 acres, including the plant and surrounding land and property.
"With improving credit ratings, Illinois has begun digging itself out of the deep hole caused in part by decades of public employee pension underfunding and a more-than-700-day impasse that left the state without an enacted budget from 2015 to 2017. But local government challenges could now impede that progress, as could growing state deficits. "
To help Mayor Brandon Johnson and close the budget hole, Speaker of the Illinois House Emanuel “Chris” is not ready to endorse raising the state income tax. “People don’t want us talking about taxes right now,” he said.
Gun owners could face a fine of $500 to $1,000 if someone prohibited from accessing guns obtains their weapon. The legislation could also create a $10,000 penalty if a minor or at-risk person uses someone else's gun to injure or kill people.
Tyshon Thompson was found guilty of violating state law for having a firearm in a vehicle without a permit in 2020. Despite having a Firearm Owners ID card, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Top Chicago Stories
"The move by Johnson ally Ald. Jessie Fuentes, 26th, to table Lopez’s motion means Wednesday may not be the last time the council weighs in on his legislation. While Johnson almost certainly would have also had the support to simply vote down the proposal, many aldermen likely preferred not having to vote against a change to the sanctuary city ordinance that their constituents might support."
Ratings agency S&P downgraded the city of Chicago’s general obligation debt late Monday, citing structural imbalance in the just-passed 2025 budget, limited options for new revenue down the line, and a lack of willingness among city leadership to cut spending.
"... I find that much of my efforts to steer these children upward has been continually undermined by one force in our city: The Chicago Teachers Union. ...Yet, the union shows no sign of slowing down its destructive path that leaves our children at the bottom of the barrel. According to Wirepoints, only 29 in every 100 Chicago students can read at grade level. ... The damage they (CTU) have done to our most vulnerable population will resonate for the years to come — we’re already seeing the impact today as lawless packs of youths roam the streets looking for
Cook County's tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition should continue to be treated as unconstitutional, a Cook County judge has ruled, saying the county's decision to find new destinations for the tax money doesn't render superfluous a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court striking down the tax more than three years ago.
More Highlighted Chicago Area Stories
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/home-alone-house-for-sale-8-05272024-a4b0b00b45754125825d82432544a6a4.jpg)
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, gave an end-of-year update on her prolific philanthropic efforts, which now total $19.2 billion in donations since 2019, in a blog post in December. Here's how 2024 is stacking up for Chicago — and for Illinois overall.
The move comes as negotiations among state lawmakers drag on about how to regulate the hemp industry, which has propped up hundreds of city businesses legally selling hemp’s THC extract in edibles, drinks, vapes and pre-rolled joints through a loophole in a federal farming act.
Also in he OIG's report, a Department of Streets and Sanitation ward superintendent was found to have tried to sell an illegal machine gun to an undercover law enforcement agent while on city time, and while using a city vehicle.
The S&P statement said Chicago’s practical options for raising new revenue “appear less certain, as does the willingness of city leadership to cut spending, creating a level of uncertainty around its financial trajectory that is more appropriately reflected in the lower rating.” The mayor said he would consider a congestion tax, and he criticized outgoing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, saying Martinez’ budget did not provide enough money for Chicago Teachers Union members.
While the county’s tax remains enforceable, Maxon Shooter’s Supplies owner and member of Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois Dan Eldridge hoped for clarification on the district judge’s summary judgment in the days and weeks ahead. “Or are we going to have to relitigate this for another six years,” he said.
"The board, we think, should say no to the 4 percent annual raises CPS has put on the table — the average raise Americans got in 2024 was 3 percent to 3.5 percent — and to all but essential new hires. If CPS and CTU can come to a compromise on these crucial points, so much the better. But Job No. 1 is to keep the district afloat. Heading down the road to insolvency doesn’t help kids."
"As Chicagoans continue to suffer from inflation and a cost of living that’s rising faster than wage growth, plus continued basic government service failures, city officials need to come up with a long-term plan. Our city cannot afford to eke by year after year building on a Leviathan spending baseline that isn’t giving residents what they need, while also crippling the city’s finances and reputation."
Many of these South Side projects are dependent on promised federal funding from the Biden administration, which could be in jeopardy with the incoming Trump administration.
Retired Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel: "Every officer who is sworn into service knows that there is a possibility of being shot or killed in the line of duty. However, that is remote. Or, at least, I used to think it was. The growing rate of violence directed toward police officers in the form of firearms is alarming."
"It sounds crazy, [but] it felt very much like divine intervention that I was a Black immigrant woman, refugee, focused on health equity and racial health disparities, and that I would have the opportunity to be chief of policy for the City of Chicago."
One resident who spoke at the city council meeting on Wednesday slammed Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Who are you loyal to? The American citizens in Chicago or the illegal immigrants in Chicago?," the man said. "The sanctuary law that Brandon Johnson allowed has brought criminals, drug dealers, and now terrorists."
Mayor Brandon Johnson has failed to deliver on promised reforms - all requirements laid out in a binding agreement with federal officials - following a federal civil rights investigation that found the city’s practice of placing polluters in low-income communities of color is discriminatory, three groups that brought the complaint said Wednesday.
While the speed limit ordinance remains bottled up for now, the City Council voted 49-1 to create a working group to come up with proposals to overhaul the city's traffic enforcement system to ensure minority drivers are not disproportionately hit with tickets.
The committee "supports the articulation of the desired facts of diversity, proposes appropriate goals for diversity regarding participation and programming goals, establishes metrics for measuring success and advises on diversity issues in the library workplace."
A combination of financial losses, operational challenges, and external pressures has brought the Reader to an imminent risk of closure.
According to a CPD community alert issued last night, at least 14 cases have been linked to the crime pattern.
Laura Washington: "There is power and strength in the office, but people must be in them. They need to be shopping on State Street, hitting the lunch counters, toasting at happy hour. Bring back the workers for the purpose for which they were hired. And this is no time for the flurry of new taxes and fees that come courtesy of the new city budget approved last month by the Chicago City Council.
“I always find it fascinating that whenever it comes to funding the education system, especially here in Chicago, that everyone becomes like an actuary or an economist,” he said. But “whenever we talk about increasing the police budget, less people put up an argument around funding safety.” Johnson said Chicago Public Schools’ $9.9 billion annual budget was inadequate and that an additional $1.1 billion was needed.
More than six years since the ouster of former Cook County assessor and Democratic Party boss Joe Berrios, federal prosecutors continue to file fresh felony charges against his underlings. Prosecutors allege that Francisco "Frankie" Perez, a former chief hearings officer, accepted gifts, including sports tickets and free meals, to lower property tax assessments for commercial properties.
On the contract stalemate with the Chicago Teachers Union, Martinez said, “We’re closer today on this contract than ever before. The last two contracts that were negotiated in CPS, one took 18 months, one took 14 months. We’re barely on month 10 of this process with a much more complicated contract.”
One such change approved by the Evanston City Council prohibits the sharing of city databases or information with federal immigration authorities, or with third parties that do not affirm the information will not be used for immigration enforcement. The City of Evanston will still comply with valid criminal warrants.
To meet its pension obligations, the city would need to lay off all its police officers and allocate their salaries to the pension fund for the next 10 years.
“Whiteness, whether it occurs under the heading of white supremacy, white privilege or white authority is the meaning that defines just the way things are, a normal state of affairs, like in the phrase, ‘getting back to normal,’” the course description says.
The 21-member hybrid school board will be sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 15 — marking an historic shift in governance as 30 years of mayoral control in Chicago comes to a close. Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former teacher and union organizer, will maintain significant influence for the next two years.
"On a cold January morning, many were left behind by full trains running too far apart. Along with safety, which we have written about before, a whole new style of management will be required of Carter’s successor, who needs to be someone who can get the trains moving reliably at their appointed time and build service, not struggle to maintain it."
Wirepoints Research and Commentary
Full of one-time revenue "fixes" and gimmicks, the 2025 budget assures Chicago will have the same deficit problems next year. S&P Ratings this week downgraded the city’s credit rating one notch to BBB from BBB+ as a result. 
Ted joined Mariano Gielis of Univision Chicago to discuss the Civic Federation's analysis of the Chicago Public Schools' budget mess and why it spells more trouble for Chicagoans. 
Ted joined Dan and Amy to talk about the push in Springfield to legalize prostitution in Illinois, the fact that Bally's had to warn potential investors about the impact of Chicago's crime on their potential revenues, why CPS should implement a salary freeze, and more. 
Weekly crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department: Report through 1/12/25 
2024 just wrapped up and the Cook County Medical Examiner has what should be the final count of youth homicides for 2024. It’s beyond tragic. 91 kids aged 19-and-under were killed in Chicago in 2024. SIGN UP HERE FOR FREE WIREPOINTS DAILY NEWSLETTER
FOLLOW US
WE’RE A NONPROFIT AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE.
MORE WIREPOINTS ORIGINAL STORIES
In defense of the everyday Chicagoans that continue to be pummeled by higher taxes, fees and fines – and a city that’s increasingly at risk of some form of insolvency – CPS should reject the Chicago Teachers Union’s demand for 9% yearly raises. Instead, the board should implement a salary freeze immediately. 
Ted joined Ray and Nick to talk about why big companies are reticent to invest big money in Chicago, mainly due to a widening pension shortfall and inability to preserve public safety. 
Mark joined Shaun Thompson to talk about the fact that the Chicago Red Line expansion will cost $1 billion per mile, why so many people and businesses are fleeing Chicago, the sad consequences of the city's sanctuary city policies, the chance of Chicago's downtown collapsing into a doom loop, the massive budget deficits facing the city, CPS and the RTA, and more. 
Ted joined Tom Miller to talk about why the state's new property tax task force will fail just like Gov. Pritzker's 2019 original, why property taxes continue to rise, the chance that lawmakers might reverse the Tier 2 pension reforms, the need to move government worker retirements into 401ks, and more. 
Ted joined Scott Slocum to discuss the shenanigans happening during the legislature's veto session, the growth in Illinois' population thanks to illegal migrants, why the state's population trends are still negative, and more. 
Imagine you work for a major company that’s looking to expand its footprint somewhere in the country. Chicago is an option, but then you then see two stories that rapidly dissuade you from considering the Windy City. That was the reality for any business person reading the news last week.
Recent Comments