The first legislative resignation of the year will be Lamont Robinson. He is going to become the next Alderman of the 4th Ward in Chicago and will do so without a runoff.
Look for him to get 70%+ in the South Loop precincts of the ward which traditionally has very high turnout. He is running an expert campaign and working very hard.
I saw two micro snowflakes this morning, walking from the parking lot to my office building. In most years, that would be nothing. But of late, I am wondering if we will still have snows in March, April and May. Here in West Central Illinois, the relative absence of snow means (a) less water in the ground, and (b) more bugs in the summer.
Praying for deep colds and frozen precipitation. I never thought that would happen.
Sun Times says Chicago Police are urging Jewish and other religious groups to be vigilant through this weekend following a neo-Nazi group’s declaration of the 25th being a “day of hate.”
Watching the Springfield Mayoral Debate this morning where the Democratic Party backed candidate talked about expanding Shot Spotter technology while the Republican Party backed candidate talked about the need for community based policing solutions. Interesting times
Eastern Bloc people gave a presentation about funding yesterday and have called for vouchers and school choice for all. Looks like they are doubling down on and missing the data similar to Wirepoints and Center Square. Of course in their comparisons no mention of demographic differences or any other things to be aware of. Two of the “best” parts that they include is that Minnesota has the highest SAT scores and that we increased spending but scores dropped with covid. The SAT thing is so bad because, unlike Illinois, Minnesota does not require all public high school students to take the SAT so the composition of test takers will be quite different in both states. In Minnesota only 2% of there students took the SAT so that is “proof” that we suck since those two percent, probably highly advanced students, scored higher on average than when most students in Illinois take it. The other complaint about test scores dropping after 2019 is just mean spirited and unecessary beating up on people who like all of us went through a lot of trauma. It really bothers me that They are actually whining that hey we increased spending starting in 2019 but scores dropped in the Covid influenced tests so you really really suck and do not deserve the money you get let alone any equitable funding or increased funding. Scores have been shown to have dropped everywhere even where open. That is a pathetic cheap shot for an issue caused by a global pandemic .
I am against school vouchers because I do not have children in the schools and yet cheerfully pay my school taxes, which puts the lie to why should we have to pay both tuition and school taxes?
BUT I would be not as opposed if it was a program for those students in families that are 1 standard deviation or more under the federal poverty line. I think private and religious schools may be better situated with smaller class sizes to educate very poor students.
But middle class or higher can darn well pay their own tuition and not try to bleed the taxpayers for it.
so Trib writers do a piece on Vallas’ twitter account liking racist and offensive posts. I guess it is predictable that a racist tweet would come at one of the writers, but it is truly disturbing anyway. Is Vallas giving up the staffers/volunteers yet? he so incapable of managing this one thing that you wonder what he would do with the City/whom he would hire. what would they do to reporters?
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 11:36 am:
An amazing comeback victory for the Frightening Illini last night over Northwestern. Illinois can’t seem to play consistently from game to game, but when they get on a roll they’re really impressive.
- low level - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 8:17 am:
The first legislative resignation of the year will be Lamont Robinson. He is going to become the next Alderman of the 4th Ward in Chicago and will do so without a runoff.
Look for him to get 70%+ in the South Loop precincts of the ward which traditionally has very high turnout. He is running an expert campaign and working very hard.
- H-W - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 8:29 am:
I saw two micro snowflakes this morning, walking from the parking lot to my office building. In most years, that would be nothing. But of late, I am wondering if we will still have snows in March, April and May. Here in West Central Illinois, the relative absence of snow means (a) less water in the ground, and (b) more bugs in the summer.
Praying for deep colds and frozen precipitation. I never thought that would happen.
- yinn - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 8:36 am:
Sun Times says Chicago Police are urging Jewish and other religious groups to be vigilant through this weekend following a neo-Nazi group’s declaration of the 25th being a “day of hate.”
- SKI - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 8:41 am:
Watching the Springfield Mayoral Debate this morning where the Democratic Party backed candidate talked about expanding Shot Spotter technology while the Republican Party backed candidate talked about the need for community based policing solutions. Interesting times
- Amalia - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 8:44 am:
last weekend of Chicago election commercials flooding the airwaves. Oh, wait……
- Blitz - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 9:02 am:
With H-W on the lack of snow and cold. I don’t like the portentions…
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 9:05 am:
@yinn - The ISP put out a similar warning. Hope the warnings scare the haters into staying home.
- Twitter cat lady - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 9:05 am:
Corporate is considering investing some money in my local facility.
Politicians like to talk about drawing in business. I wish there was something the state or county could do to help sway the bigwigs.
- DTown Resident - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 9:35 am:
Eastern Bloc people gave a presentation about funding yesterday and have called for vouchers and school choice for all. Looks like they are doubling down on and missing the data similar to Wirepoints and Center Square. Of course in their comparisons no mention of demographic differences or any other things to be aware of. Two of the “best” parts that they include is that Minnesota has the highest SAT scores and that we increased spending but scores dropped with covid. The SAT thing is so bad because, unlike Illinois, Minnesota does not require all public high school students to take the SAT so the composition of test takers will be quite different in both states. In Minnesota only 2% of there students took the SAT so that is “proof” that we suck since those two percent, probably highly advanced students, scored higher on average than when most students in Illinois take it. The other complaint about test scores dropping after 2019 is just mean spirited and unecessary beating up on people who like all of us went through a lot of trauma. It really bothers me that They are actually whining that hey we increased spending starting in 2019 but scores dropped in the Covid influenced tests so you really really suck and do not deserve the money you get let alone any equitable funding or increased funding. Scores have been shown to have dropped everywhere even where open. That is a pathetic cheap shot for an issue caused by a global pandemic .
- cermak_rd - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 10:05 am:
I am against school vouchers because I do not have children in the schools and yet cheerfully pay my school taxes, which puts the lie to why should we have to pay both tuition and school taxes?
BUT I would be not as opposed if it was a program for those students in families that are 1 standard deviation or more under the federal poverty line. I think private and religious schools may be better situated with smaller class sizes to educate very poor students.
But middle class or higher can darn well pay their own tuition and not try to bleed the taxpayers for it.
- Amalia - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 10:46 am:
so Trib writers do a piece on Vallas’ twitter account liking racist and offensive posts. I guess it is predictable that a racist tweet would come at one of the writers, but it is truly disturbing anyway. Is Vallas giving up the staffers/volunteers yet? he so incapable of managing this one thing that you wonder what he would do with the City/whom he would hire. what would they do to reporters?
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Feb 24, 23 @ 11:36 am:
An amazing comeback victory for the Frightening Illini last night over Northwestern. Illinois can’t seem to play consistently from game to game, but when they get on a roll they’re really impressive.
Maybe an 8 seed in the tournament??