TGIF. And it’s a much better day for Illinois. We’ve gained population, improved our financial situation, have infrastructure projects galore, robust state budget that funds the very things that contribute to growth, inflation relief, etc. For years we’ve been trashed. We deserve to enjoy our improvement, even for just a moment.
The Chicago Red Line stop has been ground zero for large gatherings of young people causing mayhem for many years. Ask the Loyola security guys. The police have known this was a problem area for a long, long time. It’s border line negligent that they’ve reduced patrols in this spot.
- Pardon Larry Bloom - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 9:05 am:
More shootings last night in Chicago, at Chicago and State, a popular spot. Lightfoot’s summer of joy has not arrived yet. Currently a spring of misery.
-More shootings last night in Chicago, at Chicago and State, a popular spot.-
I wouldn’t call it popular. That McDonald’s and immediate area has been bad for over 20+ years. Not excusing the lack of policing there, but it’s a fact.
I am happy to see that my 2026 IL bond is getting called. That must mean either Illinois has the money early to pay it back or it plans to refinance at a lower rate. While I will miss the interest, I am glad Illinois is in better financial shape.
Revenue raised through the Fair Tax could have been invested in Illinois youth - including parks programs, after school programs, community organizations that engage young people, sports, arts in the schools, summer work projects….
Invest in these communities and the lives of these young people, or don’t. But if you don’t, don’t be surprised when they have nothing to do, and they wander downtown or to Lakeview, Lincoln Park, etc. looking for something to do.
Disinvestment, public austerity, the cutting of budgets…these contribute to the conditions that make marauding teenagers probable.
“Revenue raised through the Fair Tax could have been invested in Illinois youth.”
If they really wanted it, there’s nothing to stop the state legislature and city of Chicago (or Cook County) from implementing a millionaire’s income tax on city residents/workers.
I went to the DMV today and was in and out in 8 minutes, paying for an overdue license renewal. Polite and efficient. This from an office where I have waited 2+ hours before for other things. You gotta give credit where credit is due.
“If they really wanted it, there’s nothing to stop the state legislature and city of Chicago (or Cook County) from implementing a millionaire’s income tax on city residents/workers.”
Unfortunately, there is. The State Constitution prohibits municipal and county income taxes. That’s 1/2 of the compromise that brought us the LGDF.
- Blake - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 8:49 am:
Chicago Tribune had a printing error that turned Biden’s suit purple
https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/ut498l/chicago_tribune_makes_bidens_suit_purple_color/
- Grandson of Man - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 8:54 am:
TGIF. And it’s a much better day for Illinois. We’ve gained population, improved our financial situation, have infrastructure projects galore, robust state budget that funds the very things that contribute to growth, inflation relief, etc. For years we’ve been trashed. We deserve to enjoy our improvement, even for just a moment.
- Amalia - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 9:00 am:
Park or burger joint, killers gonna kill. what the what?
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 9:03 am:
The Chicago Red Line stop has been ground zero for large gatherings of young people causing mayhem for many years. Ask the Loyola security guys. The police have known this was a problem area for a long, long time. It’s border line negligent that they’ve reduced patrols in this spot.
- Pardon Larry Bloom - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 9:05 am:
More shootings last night in Chicago, at Chicago and State, a popular spot. Lightfoot’s summer of joy has not arrived yet. Currently a spring of misery.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 9:17 am:
-More shootings last night in Chicago, at Chicago and State, a popular spot.-
I wouldn’t call it popular. That McDonald’s and immediate area has been bad for over 20+ years. Not excusing the lack of policing there, but it’s a fact.
- Looper - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 9:39 am:
“Lightfoot’s summer of joy has not arrived yet.”
Sky-high gas prices and inflationary pressures on ammunition will make drive-by shootings simply too expensive. /s/
- A Jack - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 10:10 am:
I am happy to see that my 2026 IL bond is getting called. That must mean either Illinois has the money early to pay it back or it plans to refinance at a lower rate. While I will miss the interest, I am glad Illinois is in better financial shape.
- Ashland Adam - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 10:49 am:
Reflecting on Ken Griffin’s expressed concern for downtown Chicago safety, and addressing gun violence.
And then remembering that he spent $58 million opposing the Fair Tax amendment, which would have created tax brackets, similar to the federal income tax. https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/december-2020/ken-griffin-fair-tax/
Revenue raised through the Fair Tax could have been invested in Illinois youth - including parks programs, after school programs, community organizations that engage young people, sports, arts in the schools, summer work projects….
Invest in these communities and the lives of these young people, or don’t. But if you don’t, don’t be surprised when they have nothing to do, and they wander downtown or to Lakeview, Lincoln Park, etc. looking for something to do.
Disinvestment, public austerity, the cutting of budgets…these contribute to the conditions that make marauding teenagers probable.
- Red voter - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 12:18 pm:
“Revenue raised through the Fair Tax could have been invested in Illinois youth.”
If they really wanted it, there’s nothing to stop the state legislature and city of Chicago (or Cook County) from implementing a millionaire’s income tax on city residents/workers.
I wonder why they won’t do that?
- Simple Simon - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 1:14 pm:
I went to the DMV today and was in and out in 8 minutes, paying for an overdue license renewal. Polite and efficient. This from an office where I have waited 2+ hours before for other things. You gotta give credit where credit is due.
- Proud Sucker - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 1:20 pm:
“If they really wanted it, there’s nothing to stop the state legislature and city of Chicago (or Cook County) from implementing a millionaire’s income tax on city residents/workers.”
Unfortunately, there is. The State Constitution prohibits municipal and county income taxes. That’s 1/2 of the compromise that brought us the LGDF.