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* DUI offenders will need to buy locking devices in January

A new state law is cracking down on first-time DUI offenders in Illinois.

As of Jan. 1, they will have to outfit their vehicles with alcohol-detection equipment if they want to drive legally to work or anywhere else while their licenses are suspended.

The equipment, called an ignition interlock device, requires a driver to blow into a tube so his or her breath can be tested for liquor. The car won’t start if alcohol is detected.

* Alvarez to Be Sworn in Today

* Let’s talk taxes, baby

H ere’s the million-dollar question: If home values are plummeting, why are assessed values in Cook County rising?

* No down payment? Buyers still able to score homes

* In hard economic times, a ripple effect takes place

* Chicago’s Stake in Detroit

* Steel hangs in the balance

* Aon to cut 500-700 jobs as part of Benfield deal

* Suburban homebuilder’s troubles deepen

* Help wanted: Economic stimulus for urban areas

* Homeless shelters expecting record numbers this winter

* SOS Type Unit on the Streets

* New “SOS Type” Mobile Strike Force Ends First Month

* Drivers get grace period for paying Chicago red-light, parking tickets

* Little impact seen of cab drivers’ strike

* Thousands of taxi drivers strike in Chicago

* Opening day for winter parking restrictions

posted by Kevin Fanning
Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 8:44 am

Comments

Regarding increased home assessments - there has always been a lag built into the system. When home values were skyrocketing, nobody complained about the lag and Houlihan certainly did nothing to “catch up”. In fact, he tried to reduce even the lagged increases with his “freeze”, which was really a shift in the tax burden from faster increasing areas to slower increasing areas (i.e., reverse Robin Hood). Now that values are falling, people are upset the drop isn’t instantly recognized by the assessor and Houlihan is blaming “the system”. Well, he could have fixed the system before, but that would have been unpopular during a rising market. Now, suddenly, he’s Mr. Reform.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 8:56 am
How much do one of those alcohol detection systems cost?

Don’t get me wrong…I am all for brutalizing the undesirable class (terrorists, drunk drivers, pedophiles, drug dealers, etc) with heinously oppressive laws. I am just curious how much it costs.

Comment by Johnny USA Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:05 am
Oops..never mind, I got to the article

Comment by Johnny USA Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:06 am
The Sun Times is reporting that Dean MArtinez is being named Deputy Governor for Budget and Economy to replace John Filan, and Mike McRaith is replacing Dean as the head of IDFPR. Great moves! Two great guys who have served this state well and will continue to do so in their new posts.

Comment by anon Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:06 am
Why do we have articles abut the ripple effect in the economy when the economy goes down, but a denial of the ripple effect when the economy goes up?

It would seem that if it works in one economic direction, it would work in the other.

Just say’in

Comment by Plutocrat03 Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:11 am
Don’t be so hard on Houli. He has been very busy this year unsuccessfully trying to ram Con Con down people’s throats and trying to get more of his relatives elected to public office. He doesn’t have much time to do the job he gets paid for…kinda like Pat Quinn.

Comment by Bill Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:15 am
Bill,
What IS Pat Quinn’s job?
If anybody can explain why exactly we need a Lt. Gov., I would appreciate it.
Don’t get me wrong. I generally like Pat Quinn. I’m just not sure what he does for a living.

Comment by Skeeter Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:19 am
Skeeter,
What a Palin-esque question! I think it is Pat’s job to take over as Governor in the unlikely event that something happens to Blagojevich. Other then that guess his job is to shill for various pseudo-populist causes that if enacted would cause great harm to the state and its citizens.
Remember the Republican Lt. Gov who was going to quit because he was bored and wanted to be a disc jockey?

Comment by Bill Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:45 am
Interesting, Bill.

I thought he job was “To say apparently controversial, but ultimately irrelevant, stuff to make sure Springfield and/or Chicago reporters have `news’ on otherwise slow days.”

Comment by Skeeter Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:50 am