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August, 2012
Despite impassioned testimony from housing advocates and a cameo appearance by actor John Cusack, it's far from certain that the city will use eminent domain to keep troubled borrowers in their homes.
To start, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has already stated he opposes the idea, which could mean it's all but a dead issue.
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August, 2012
Just how important is an education? Pretty important, Nicole Hicks will likely tell you.
She displays a copy of her G.E.D. certificate on a dresser in her room to remind her that with determination and tenacity, she can accomplish just about anything.
Hicks, 40, recently earned her G.E.D. after dropping out of high school decades ago.
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August, 2012
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced that his administration will pump $2.5 million into homeless services in Chicago. "Plan 2.0", as it is being called, will see the city invest in outreach services, job preparation and placement opportunities, as well as supportive housing. The money comes from "existing city funds," and will come at "no additional cost to taxpayers," according to a press release....
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August, 2012
By Tuesday, Gov. Pat Quinn will decide whether to sign, veto or do nothing with a gambling bill the legislature sent him at the end of the spring session.
Quinn is concerned with several provisions in the bill, but he's refused to say whether he'll issue an outright veto.
The bill would create five new casinos, including one in Chicago that Mayor Rahm Emanuel supports. The legislation also would...
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August, 2012
On the heels of yet another bloody Chicago weekend, 8th District state Rep. La Shawn Ford plans to have a town hall meeting tonight to discuss how to curb violence in high-crime neighborhoods.
Ford has said state-assisted job creation could be a boon for many of the low-income, high-crime communities in his West Side district and across the city.
"Stronger partnerships can be built with the...
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August, 2012
Gov. Pat Quinn used his red pen today to veto a major gambling expansion bill, but supporters of the legislation say they're not ready to throw in the cards just yet.
Since taking office last year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been cheerleading for a casino for Chicago--which was part of the bill Quinn vetoed.
The mayor argued the casino would bring in $140 million in revenue, create 15,000 to 20,000...
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August, 2012
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wants residents to tweet and instant message suggestions for her administration as it works toward crafting the county's fiscal year 2013 budget.
The administration will hold an "online town hall" on Thursday, Aug. 23, according to a press release from Preckwinkle.
Administration officials are touting the digital town hall as a way to reach a wider...
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August, 2012
Plenty of politicians like to jaw about how much more accessible to constituents digital technology allows them to be, or how social media provide an avenue to reach a larger audience.
There's some truth to that--consider President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign--but there are also arguments that social media, when used as a political tool, can be exclusive and even give politicians unique control...
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August, 2012
State lawmakers will convene in Springfield on Aug. 17 for a one-day special session called by Gov. Pat Quinn to persuade them to pass "comprehensive" pension reform legislation. Little is expected to come of the one-day session, though.
Democrats likely don't want to pass legislation that will upset unions and labor organizations--big campaign donors--during an election year. And Republicans are...
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