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Daily Whale Originals

Civic Federation’s plan for Illinois fiscal stability calls for spending cuts, tax increases

The Civic Federation’s Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability on Thursday released a comprehensive, three-year plan that calls for spending cuts and state income tax increases.

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Cook County Board approves new disclosure requirements for large legal settlements

The Cook County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved an ordinance amending disclosure requirements for county attorneys seeking board approval for large legal settlements.

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Dedicated gun court, pushing aside IPRA on More’s wish list for Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office

Cook County state’s attorney candidate Donna More on Tuesday said she would push for the creation of a dedicated gun court and establish a county safety alliance to address gun violence if elected.

During a speech at a City Club of Chicago breakfast event, More claimed there were over 2,900 shootings in Chicago last year, including over 400 shooting homicides. She said taxpayers paid more than $165 million last year to treat gunshot victims, noting the average cost of an ER visit in such cases was about $55,000.

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Emanuel announces administrative reforms for early learning programs

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday announced reforms designed to reduce the administration costs for early learning programs in an effort to free up money to expand full-day prekindergarten programs in Chicago.
 

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Over 125 organizations to work on state discrimination study

More than 125 organizations have agreed to participate in an Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) study examining methods to prevent discrimination and promote diversity in Illinois, the department announced in a press release on Thursday. IDHR also submitted an interim report to Governor Bruce Rauner on the first phase of the study, which consisted of planning and recruitment.

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Joyce Foundation research creating framework for new policies to combat gun violence

Joyce Foundation President Ellen Alberding last week spoke at a City Club of Chicago event about her organization’s efforts to fund gun violence research in the absence of federal funding for such studies in order to promote informed policymaking that protects public safety.

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Zopp stresses urgent need for criminal justice reform in City Club speech

U.S. Senate candidate Andrea Zopp called for criminal justice reforms to create trust between community members and law enforcement during a speech on Wednesday

While appearing at a City Club of Chicago event, Zopp said reforms were needed to increase transparency, accountability, cooperation and collaboration in the criminal justice system. She said without such reforms, Chicago could not hope to end the scourge of gun violence plaguing the city.

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Metra fare increase takes effect Feb. 1

Fare hikes the Metra Board of Directors approved last year as part of the agency 2016 budget will take effect on Feb. 1.

In a press release on Tuesday, Metra explained the price for all one-way tickets will go up 25 cents, an increase of 2.4 percent to 7.7 percent depending on the zone. Riders purchasing 10-ride tickets will see an increase of $1.75, an increase of 17 cents per trip. The price of monthly passes will increase by $2.50 per month beginning in February.

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Cullerton calls for new, more equal state education funding formula

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton on Monday criticized Illinois’ school funding formula, calling education funding “the defining crisis of our time” and urging his fellow lawmakers to support drastic reforms to school budgeting in Illinois.

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Sheriff’s office working to address jail overcrowding, provide better mental health services

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said his office has been working to implement reforms to lower the Cook County Jail population and improve the mental health services available to Cook County residents while speaking at a City Club of Chicago event on Thursday.

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