- Senior moments? State education officials are mandating a two-day test that high school juniors have to pass before they become seniors. The Trib says this is to comply with regulations in the federal “No Child Left Behind” program.
- Gambling gains. A new Trib poll indicates that Chicago residents now favor a casino in the city by a margin of 47-41. Seven years ago the anti-casino sentiment prevailed by the same margin. The difference appears to be the reality of Chicago’s declining fiscal health.
- Cross currents. Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross echoes Civic Committee proposal for major reform of the state pension system in a Trib op-ed piece. Taxpayer watchdog Jim Tobin weighs in with a more radical pension reform idea in a Daily Herald story that also includes eye-popping pension details for Kane and DuPage counties.
- Family favors? The Sun-Times reports the son of a former Chicago alderman got a raise and a promotion despite a DUI conviction that made it impossible for him to do his previous job.
- Daley double. Inimitable City Hall reporter Fran Spielman pens a Sun-Times must-read story comparing the reigns of Daley I and Daley II as Rich prepares to break Dick’s longevity record. Insider insights are priceless.
- Drugged out? Lawyer and former prosecutor Jim Gierach continues his campaign to decriminalize drugs by telling the Southtown Star that we continue to spend billions of increasingly limited tax dollars waging a war on drugs that can’t be won.
What I’m Watching—Dec. 17, 2010
