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* Internet filters for libraries hits a snag

* Illinois bill calls for insurance to cover HPV vaccine

“I don’t see (a mandate) happening for a long time,” said state Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, R-Glenview, the bill’s sponsor in the House. “We need a lot more medical data on side effects and all of those other types of things. This is too new to mandate.”

* Senate Oks bill to aid young sex offenders

* School wind farms get state aid

* Tougher driving bill awaits governor’s signature

* IIS Radio: HPV vaccine, specialty licenses, highway markers

* Michael Sneed: Former Gov. Dan Walker, Obama

* CTA plea for help comes amid last minute capitol rush

* CTA considered $7 a ride for rush hour commuters

* Why suburban residents may bail out CTA

* Parents, students: CPS proposal on wrong ‘track’

* Feds: Alderman’s father took photos for fake Ids; more here

* Stroger says he will consider property tax hike

* Rail authority creation on right track

* State passes Peoria airport tax bill

posted by Paul Richardson
Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 8:46 am

Comments

Ron Huberman, IRL tr0ll is doing it for the lulz.

Comment by dan l Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 8:49 am
>Why suburban residents may bail out CTA

Just out of curiosity, how much does the City of Chicago give the CTA each year?

To me, the city is the one who benefits the most from the CTA (desirable living, increase property values and taxes, better jobs) so Chicago should pony up the dough.

Comment by Leroy Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:16 am
I enjoyed Forrest Claypool’s sound byte ripping on Todd Stroger.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:20 am
To me, the city is the one who benefits the most from the CTA (desirable living, increase property values and taxes, better jobs) so Chicago should pony up the dough.

In that case, we should increase fairs for non-resident riders. I think 9.00 a ride sounds fair.

Comment by dan l Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:26 am
Is Coulson saying the judgment of politicians is better for determining if a drug is legitimate than the judgment of the FDA?

Does she feel this way about all drugs, or just ones that prevent sexually transmitted infections?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 9:29 am
Does she feel this way about all drugs, or just ones that prevent sexually transmitted infections?

On a related note, (though, not necessarily directed at Carl) am I the only one who’s positively fascinated by the social conservative supposed expertise in the science of the HPV vaccination despite, for the most part, rejecting the science of global warming, evolution, HIV/AIDS, and stem cell research?

Comment by dan l Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:06 am
dan l sez:

>In that case, we should increase fairs for non-resident riders. I think 9.00 a ride sounds fair.

Why? I am coming into the city to work. Chicago is getting tax money (revenue and property) from my employer.

Or I am coming in to go shopping. Chicago is getting my tax revenue.

Or I cam coming in to go to a museum, sporting event, or to some other crony, nepotism laden event.

Chicago will get theirs.

Comment by Leroy Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:20 am
Leroy,

Well you either want your happy CTA or you don’t.

Comment by dan l Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:36 am
>Well you either want your happy CTA or you don’t.

That is a rather glib analysis.

Why can’t we have a fiscally responsible mass transit system that is paid for by the wealth it creates?

Comment by Leroy Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:45 am
Alderman Munoz’s father has helped to place his son in hot water.

As for the customers, I guess that shatters the myth that all of the illegal immigrants are law abiding people who only want to work hard.

Comment by Honest Abe Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 10:46 am
I wonder how much criminal money went into Ald Munoz campaign fund. Did daddys criminal enterprise bankroll his sons political campaign

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 11:20 am
With the CTA’s $100 million deficit, there are plenty of opportunities for local governments to support public transit. Chicago provides a measly $3 million a year for the CTA, about 1/25th of what New York provides - would it be too much to ask that they increased that significantly? But let’s not forget that five el lines (blue, pink, yellow, purple and green) and countless bus lines go into the suburbs. I have a hard time believing the sales tax is the answer, but there’s no doubt that - after the city makes a good faith effort - the ‘burbs should pony up, too.

Comment by Underdog Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 12:04 pm
That is a rather glib analysis.

Why can’t we have a fiscally responsible mass transit system that is paid for by the wealth it creates

Why? Because if you were to really do an honest cost benefit analysis you’d find that we’re spending all we should on the CTA. Exactly how much expense can you justify for mass transit?

Comment by dan l Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 12:04 pm
The CTA is primarily a city operation. There is a double standard, as suggested in the Daily Herald column, that if Metra was in trouble, the City would not want to help. There are a lot of bus routes that are probably not as profitable because people don’t pay. (Ask some bus drivers.) On Metra or the L you have to pay or they will throw you off and/or otherwise deny you admittance. Underdog is correct; the City should pay considerably more than they currently pay. Finally, this mass transit system does not “create wealth.” Most people don’t use it unless is convenient for them. Personally, I like to use it whenever possible. It can be a good deal sometimes.

Comment by Reality Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 3:33 pm
On the CTA Debate, How much do Chicago residents subsidize highways and roads in the collar counties and suburbs?

Comment by Jacketpotato Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 3:46 pm
Jacket:

Would be great if that were relevant. Face it: Burbs need us more than we need them:)

Comment by dan l Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 4:03 pm
[…] (H/T Paul Richardson/CapFax for the PJ Star link) Blogroll […]

Pingback by More, please « Illinois Reason Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 5:43 pm
Furthermore, how much highway congestion is alleviated in the city due to city commuters taking the CTA instead getting on the highway. Or near suburban commuters taking the CTA in on the blue, pink, purple, etc lines?

The CTA collapses, everyone loses. The Kennedy, Dan Ryan, Edens, Ike and Stevenson become even more busy. Metra trains become more crowded as city residents start hopping on board. Metra’s own problems (A $270,000 budgeted deficit for 2007, plus its own capital needs are severely underfunded) go unresolved, and get worse.

CTA should get more than Metra because CTA’s costs are much higher (you know, due to running buses and trains far more frequently and shuttling far more people around).

Should the CTA collapse, and a big cut back may not be a collapse, but further cuts will come, the entire regional economy will be hammered. If Chicagoans can’t get to work, people (and jobs) will leave. Do you really want to live in another Detroit?

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 7:08 pm
“I’m going to continue on my career path. If anyone tries to use this against me politically it would be a huge mistake. Everyone has a family member,” Alderman Munoz said.

Comment by Luis G. Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 7:16 pm
The only problem that I have with Alderman Munoz’s response to the current controversy is that immediately after the Department of Justice staged the raid Munoz appeared on “Chicago Tonight” as a guest and offered an alibi for his father. If the current report is correct, Munoz simply lied while on the WTTW program.

I am somewhat skeptical if Munoz will have to pay a political price for his dishonesty. The residents of his ward seem to be tolerant of illegal aliens residing in their community and have ignored the counterfeiting market that was operating more or less openly for years right before their very eyes. Moreover, the 22nd Ward has been gerrymandered to create a Latino district (dating back to the special aldermanic elections of 1987). Many of those offended by what is occurring there do not have a vote in the ward. Setting aside election districts for minority candidates is a joke of sorts. A hotly contested election in the 22nd Ward may generate fewer than 7,500 total votes. In the 13th Ward upwards of 30,000 votes are usually cast. Nonetheless, in the City Council each ward has one aldermanic vote. Talk about shoddy boroughs. All wards are supposed to have comparable populations, but in the 22nd the residents are either apathetic or noncitizens.

Comment by Honest Abe Wednesday, May 30, 07 @ 11:03 pm