Morning Watch - November 9
Nov 09, 2012
Losing Game: Northstar Lottery Group, the firm that manages the states lottery games, could owe Illinois between $28 million and $36 million in under performance penalties, reports the Chicago Tribune.
More Revenue Losses: A tax break for investor-owned hospitals was designed to save the Illinois Medicaid program from collapse. Now it seems the deal will cost IL at least $10 million a year in lost revenue, reports the Standard Journal Register.
Aldermen Push Forward: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that a group of independent Chicago aldermen, pumped up by support from 65,763 voters from 35 wards, promised to fight for a city-wide referendum on an elected school board. Chicago has the only school district in Illinois that does not have an elected school board. Mayor Emanuel opposes the referendum.
Head Scratcher: WGN-TV reports that a woman with alleged ties to an anti-government extremist group has been charged with filing a dozen fake legal claims against former U.S. Attorney Pat Fitzgerald, Chicago's chief federal judge and other court officers.
Rival Rants: Marcus Lewis says Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. 'cheated' voters by not revealing his plea deal talks with feds, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Lewis ran against Jackson for the 2nd Congressional District seat, but Jackson won re-election with 63-percent of the vote.
Sauk Village Gets Interim Mayor: The Southtown Star reports that Sauk Village Trustee David Hanks was appointed interim mayor of the village after embattled mayor Lewis Towers' sudden resignation. In September, the BGA wrote about Towers double-dipping on his homeowner exemptions.
City Extends Veterans Benefits: Returning veterans could get $1,000-a-year scholarships to attend City Colleges, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Veterans could also receive academic credits for their military training and participate in counseling to ease the transition to civilian life, all part of Mayor Emanuel's plan to lower veterans unemployment rates.
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