Dupage Policy Journal

Kinzler files police report alleging theft of his campaign signs; points finger at Conroy campaign

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 11, 2018

The campaign of Jay Kinzler, Republican candidate for the state House, filed a police report alleging theft of property, after three of his campaign signs were caught on camera in images suggesting they were switched out for a competitor's campaign signs.

Board of Elections: Terra Costa Howard, abortion group violated campaign disclosure laws numerous times

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 4, 2018

The campaign of Terra Costa Howard, Democratic candidate for the 48th state House seat, and one of its biggest contributors, an abortion rights group out of Chicago, have repeatedly violated campaign disclosure laws, the State Board of Elections has found.

Records: Taxpayers spending $17,220 per child on Wheaton 'preschool' for 4 year olds

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 3, 2018

Taxpayers will spend more than $17,000 per year, per child to fund a government-run "preschool" program in Wheaton, serving 4-year-olds, according to state records obtained by DuPage Policy Journal.

DuPage voters to weigh in on proposal to raise property taxes 50 percent to pay off pension debt

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 21, 2018

On the fall ballot, voters in DuPage County will have a chance to tell members of the county board what they think of a Federal Reserve proposal to have homeowners pay nearly 50 percent more in property taxes in each of the next 30 years.

Mottl: Hinsdale District 86 referendum a big ask with no school boundaries set

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 16, 2018

A $166 million referendum approved in early August by Hinsdale High School District 86 has a slim chance with the voters in November without school attendance boundaries for Central and South high schools in place, says Zach Mottl, a Burr Ridge trustee and co-chair of a citizens group fighting for parity between the schools.

Terra Costa Howard campaign for 48th in violation of state election laws, complaint says

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 26, 2018

Campaign reports show that Democratic candidate for the 48th state House seat, Terra Costa Howard, appears to be downplaying the involvement of an abortion-rights group in her campaign; and in so doing, has violated Illinois’ Campaign Disclosure Act on numerous occasions.

Husband of abortion rights candidate, Terra Costa Howard, puts Jesus in the middle of Starbucks shoving incident

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 18, 2018

Nicholas Howard, the husband of Terra Costa Howard, who is challenging state Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) in the 48th House District, was cited for disorderly conduct on Easter Sunday in 2004.

Illinois State Rifle Association apologizes to Bill Kay Chevrolet for boycott call

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 13, 2018

The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) is scrambling to make amends for telling its members not to patronize Bill Kay Chevrolet in Lisle based on a news report that a car wash fundraiser for gun control was going to be held behind the dealership.

From West Cook News

Complaint wants attendance boundaries changed for 'more affluent' Hinsdale Central High

By W.J. Kennedy | 7 years ago

Boundaries governing which of two highs schools -- Central or South -- students attend in Hinsdale Township High School District 86 could change now that the school board has decided to place the controversial issue on its June 18 meeting agenda.

Triple-dipping Illinois fire chief collects $260K per year from taxpayers, but isn't allowed to fight fires

By W.J. Kennedy | May 25, 2018

Taking a job as interim fire chief at Byron might jeopardize a disability pension Rick Kolomay receives from the Carol Stream Fire Protection District. An attorney representing Carol Stream's pension board told DuPage Policy Journal reevaluating the status of Kolomay's pension was being re-evaluated after he was hired in January by the Byron Fire Protection District.

Elmhurst Republican Nybo joins Democrats in move to ban Illinois gun dealers

By W.J. Kennedy | May 16, 2018

Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) on Tuesday stood with Democratic lawmakers in Springfield in support of legislation that Second Amendment advocates warn would put hundreds of independent gun dealers across the state out of business.

From NW Illinois News

Hospital exec, State Rep. Demmer votes to block hospital competition

By W.J. Kennedy | 7 years ago

State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) works for a hospital, and used to lobby for one. So when considering a bill in Springfeld last week that would have allowed Illinois surgeons to set up their own independent facilities, effectively competing with hospitals like his employer, Demmer was emphatically opposed.

From Prairie State Wire

Rauner caught in slip trying to tie Ives to Madigan

By W.J. Kennedy | 7 years ago

While campaigning Monday in Aurora, Gov. Bruce Rauner slipped up in an attempt to tie his opponent in the GOP primary, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), tax and policy experts say.

Downers Grove School District 58 bond sale unneeded, former board member says

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 3, 2018

A former school board member charges that a recent bond sale approved by the Downers Grove Grade School District 58 board to pay for an addition to Lester Elementary School was possibly unneeded and unnecessarily costly, and contains an unaccountable spending allotment.

Glen Ellyn trustee seeks legal help in effort to stop College of DuPage business incubator deal

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 17, 2018

Glen Ellyn Village Trustee Peter Ladesic is enlisting legal guidance from the Citizen Advocacy Center, an Elmhurst-based watchdog group, to investigate Glen Ellyn expenditures and view all e-mail correspondence surrounding a deal the village made with the College of DuPage (COD) to house a business incubator in the village's civic center.

Powerful Chicago Democrat alderman backs Zito’s west suburban GOP Statehouse bid

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 30, 2017

Straddling the DuPage and Kane County border, Illinois’ 49th House District is more than 50 miles from Chicago’s 14th Ward, on the city’s southwest side.

Milton Township tax assessor chastises superintendent for bias claims in property tax assessment

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 18, 2017

Milton Township Tax Assessor Chris LeVan has fired back at District 87 Superintendent David Larson’s claim that LeVan and his office were pursuing a vendetta in denying Larson’s property tax appeal on his nearly $1 million home in Glen Ellyn Springs -- an appeal that would reduce the value of the home by a whopping $275,000.

Glenbard schools chief fights for higher taxes, but not his own

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 4, 2017

Glenbard School District 87 Superintendent David F. Larson has been an aggressive advocate of raising Glen Ellyn property taxes to increase spending on the public schools he runs.

Watchdog group gets the story, media take the credit

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 21, 2017

A pair of crusaders battling waste and fraud on the local government level have exposed dozens of corrupt officials and saved millions in taxpayer dollars, but they rarely get noticed in the press for their investigative work.