Dupage Policy Journal

Mazzochi: Bipartisan bill would help licensed professionals 'find meaningful work'

By Karen Kidd | Mar 7, 2022

A bill to ease licensing and other requirements in certain state-regulated career fields, which passed the House almost unanimously last month, is about helping people find "meaningful work," state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) said in a news release.

'It's whatever you want it to be': Coworking operators adapt in cool ways, Enclave included

By Karen Kidd | Jan 2, 2022

Not terribly long ago, coworking spaces were desks and tables in a low-walled cubicle farm where people sat sit and worked.Those days are over.

Industry report: Growth in global coworking market that began before pandemic likely will continue post-COVID

By Karen Kidd | Nov 13, 2021

The global market for coworking space likely will continue its current growth amidst social distancing and remote working, growth that started before anyone heard of COVID-19, according to an industry report issued last spring.

New Glenbard District 87 grading policy likened to treating kids like 'crash test dummies'

By Karen Kidd | Jul 28, 2021

Glenbard Township High School District 87 Board of Education members are treating the district's students like "crash test dummies," a Glenn Ellyn-area rugby coach said in a social media post early last week.

Mazzochi calls for tough-on-crime legislation from Democratic lawmakers

By Karen Kidd | Jul 23, 2021

A DuPage County Republican lawmaker has been very quick to respond to Gov. J.B. Pritker's comments following a huddle with President Joe Biden earlier this month that the governor is open to federal assistance to stem violence in the state.

'We finally caught up to him,' Glen Ellyn deputy police chief says following arrest of teen accused in SUV theft, chase

By Karen Kidd | May 3, 2021

A 19-year-old Chicago man accused of stealing an SUV and leading a police chase through Glen Ellyn last summer was finally taken into custody Thursday following a joint effort by area police agencies.

IHSA 'expert' on student athlete safety,' Lake Park High coach says after Pritzker order putting off basketball season

By Karen Kidd | Nov 11, 2020

Illinois High School Association (IHSA)'s decision to defy Gov. J.B.

Hinsdale District 86 Board to hear from open meetings expert as part of lawsuit settlement

By Karen Kidd | Aug 15, 2020

An Elmhurst advocacy group's executive director will speak before the Hinsdale High School District 86 School Board in October as part of a settlement of an open meetings lawsuit reached in May.

Incumbent Casten ignoring GOP challenger's calls to condemn 'defund the police' movement

By Karen Kidd | Jul 14, 2020

Supporting or opposing the "Defund the Police" crowd movement has emerged as the defining difference between Democrat incumbent U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) and his Republican challenger, former Illinois Representative Jeanne Ives.

Anti-marijuana group urges Glen Ellyn to opt out as village apparently mulls referendum

By Karen Kidd | Mar 17, 2020

A Glenn Ellyn-based anti-recreational marijuana group is urging the village to opt-out of legal weed sales, despite village leaderships steps in that direction and word about a possible referendum in November.

Pritzker's 'fair tax' would cost typical DuPage family $3,500 and the state 286,000 jobs, report says

By Karen Kidd | Jan 22, 2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposed so-called "fair tax" plan, which he claims will cut taxes for 97 percent of state residents, will cost the typical DuPage County family about $3,500 and not resolve the state's fiscal issues, according to an Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) report.

From Prairie State Wire

'Dirty tricks' alleged in 2016 primary were not illegal, Team Madigan claims in Speaker's defense

By Karen Kidd | 6 years ago

Even if Illinois state House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) used "dirty tricks" to fend off 2016 primary challenger Jason Gonzales, the strategy allegedly employed was not illegal, according to a re​cent court filing.

From West Central Reporter

Rep. Hammond renews call for fair maps, supports petition to end gerrymandering

By Karen Kidd | 6 years ago

A Republican Illinois House representative from the 93rd District earlier this week renewed her call for fair maps and pushed support for an independent map-drawing petition following a U.S. Supreme Court decision not to hear gerrymander cases.

Skillicorn takes action against 'unfounded attacks' like that of Rep. Underwood on U.S. border agents

By Karen Kidd | Jun 1, 2019

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) was going for shock value when she referred to the deaths of migrant children under the care of border security agents as "intentional," the Republican state House Representative from East Dundee said during a recent interview.

Oberweis: RISE Act is 'fundamentally wrong'

By Karen Kidd | May 16, 2019

Legislation that would extend state student aid eligibility to undocumented immigrants, on the governor's desk unsigned for about a week, will not be any easier to fund than the current program, State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) said during a recent interview.

Opposing grassroots groups push for and against Lisle Unit District property tax-cut measure

By Karen Kidd | Mar 12, 2019

Lisle Unit District 202 residents casting votes in next month's election will have a unique opportunity – for Illinois, at least – to reduce their property taxes.

From Prairie State Wire

IEPA orders shutdown of Sterigenics' Willowbrook facility

By Karen Kidd | 6 years ago

Months after area protesters called for the closure of Sterigenics' Willowbrook facility over allegedly elevated ethylene oxide emissions, an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) official earlier today ordered the facility shut down.

College of DuPage faculty have questions for Board of Trustees hopefuls

By Karen Kidd | Feb 13, 2019

College of DuPage (COD) faculty members have 12 questions they want would-be Board of Trustee members to answer.

Pritzker's progressive tax will put Illinois in same boat as New York, Oberweis cautions

By Karen Kidd | Feb 8, 2019

State Sen. James D. "Jim" Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) says that Illinois needs to take a close look at what's happening in New York before implementing newly elected Gov. J.B. Pritzker's progressive income tax

From Prairie State Wire

Illinios education officials want half the state's budget, Wirepoints warns

By Karen Kidd | 7 years ago

Illinois education officials are out to get half of the state's budget—and they just might—to the detriment of the state's taxpayers, according to an online Wirepoints newsletter issued earlier today.