Friday, May 17, 2013
Passed by a 35-21 vote, the bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn, who has not yet said whether he intends to sign it.
By a vote of 35-21, the Illinois Senate approved legislation on Friday that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe marijuana as pain relief for severe medical conditions. The bill now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature. According to the Chicago Tribune, the bill covers 33 specific conditions—including multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV infection—and includes several controls, with a four-year trial program, dosage limits, fingerprinting, background checks and licensed dispensing centers. “This bill is filled with walls to keep this limited,” the paper quoted sponsoring Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), who urged lawmakers to pass the legislation as a compassionate measure for those suffering with extreme pain. In opposition, Sen. …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
After a Mount Greenwood apartment building owner began to evict current tenants in favor of CHA program participants, residents and Ald. Matt O'Shea moved to block the effort.
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) is looking into the rental practices of a Mount Greenwood apartment building after claims that monthly rent was doubled after current tenants were evicted in favor of subsidized housing program participants. The move comes after residents and 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea raised strong objections to the owners of the building at 3225 W. 111th Street and their move to evict current tenants, renovate the units and bring in CHA program participants at much higher rental rents. Follow Beverly-Mt. Greenwood Patch on Facebook and sign up for Breaking News Alerts. The story starts at the end of last year when new owners Chestnut Investments, LLC purchased the 16-unit building for $1.15 million. In March of this…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Homes and businesses affected by last month's flooding and winds may qualify for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Federal assistance may be on the way for local residents and businesses hit by last month’s flooding. Congressman Dan Lipinski announced Monday that constituents of Illinois’s Third District residing in Will, DuPage and Cook counties are now eligible to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lipinski was part of an Illinois delegation urging President Obama to back the governor’s request for federal aid following torrential rainstorms and straight-line winds that damaged homes and businesses across the state. Last Friday, the president signed a disaster declaration offering federal aid. The declaration covers those affected by the severe storms and winds between April 16 and May 5. FEMA, which administers the…
The Chicago City Council is considering several measures centered on bicyclists including increased fines for drivers convicted of dooring, stiffer penalties for bikers who break the laws and an awareness campaign aimed at taxi drivers.
Officials are proposing even stiffer penalties against those convicted of "dooring" bikers within the city. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced a plan to the city council on Wednesday that would raise the fines for cyclists disobeying traffic laws, and double the fines for motorists who cause crashes by opening vehicle doors into the path of cyclists, commonly known as “dooring.” The 2013 Bicycle Safety Ordinance proposal includes a provision to raise fines for cyclists who break street laws from $25 to a range of $50-$200, depending on the violation. "If they are sharing the roadway with vehicles, cyclists need to obey all traffic laws, including yielding to pedestrians, stopping at traffic signals and indicating when they are making …
Illinois state officials, non-profit administrators and union representatives will offer perspectives during the Illinois Pension Forum starting 4:30 p.m. Monday in Orland Park. Join us for our live blog and weigh in.
A forum on Illinois pension issues will be held 4:30 p.m. Monday at Century Junior High, 10801 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. The following people are scheduled to speak: Join us for our live blog and offer your own thoughts on the points discussed. Patch’s live blog through Cover It Live will provide minute-by-minute updates from the meeting on this page starting at 4:30 p.m. Look in the Cover It Live window above, and you’ll see an area where you can join in and offer your comments and questions. The same rules apply as on finished articles on the site. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join Patch! Create a free user account and join the discussion about the future of the area. You'll be subscribed to the free daily newsletter and breaking …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
A bill that has already passed the Illinois House could pave the way for limited prescriptions of pot.
By Steven Jack Illinois lawmakers may be poised to enact one of the toughest medical marijuana laws in the nation after a Senate Committee moved a bill Wednesday allowing those with a limited list of illness to obtain a prescription for the drug. The bill has passed the Illinois House and Gov. Pat Quinn has said he is open to the proposal,reported the Chicago Tribune. The Senate Committee voted 10-5 even after law enforcement officials objected on the grounds that the bill does not include provisions for driving under the influence of marijuana, the Trib reported. The law would allow patients to obtain 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks. Sixty pot dispensaries would be set up throughout the state. The bill is sponsored by former State…
Monday, May 6, 2013
The city has added more workers to graffiti removal crews, but the number of graffiti reports in the 19th Ward remains relatively low.
Five new painters are making their way around the city combatting a widespread graffiti problem that some officials argue should have been remedied long ago. But graffiti removal slowed down after the city's budget was cut a few years ago, according to reports. Graffiti Blasters is a city program that began in 1993 under Mayor Daley, an ABC News story says. "The point was to remove the graffiti quickly on private and public property so vandals wouldn't have a chance to put it up again," the publication reports. So far in 2013, there have been only 37 requests for graffiti removal in the 19th Ward, according to city data. The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation is responsible for tending to such vandalism and with the five …
Friday, May 3, 2013
The Illinois House Thursday approved a controversial plan to eliminate the state's $100 billion pension debt.
By Steven Jack The Illinois Senate may soon vote on House Speaker Michael Madigan’s pension reform plan that passed the House Thursday. The bill passed by a vote of 62-51 and seeks to eliminate the state’s $100 billion retirement system debt. Illinois ranks dead last in the nation when it comes to funding its public pension plan, according to WBEZ. The bill asks state workers for less in future cost-of-living increases, an increase in the retirement age for workers under the age of 46 and asks for more money to be taken from state employee paychecks. The bill may have difficulty making it through the Senate where Senate Leader John Cullerton supports a different plan that gives workers the option of pay increases or government-funded …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Constituents can get up close and personal with the congressman, ask questions, and get help with federal programs.
All Illinois Third Congressional District residents are invited to attend a town hall meeting hosted by Congressman Dan Lipinski at Oak Lawn Village Hall on Saturday, May 11. Residents will be able to hear from Congressman Lipinski about his work at home and in Washington, as well as ask questions and give their thoughts on federal issues. Congressman Lipinski’s staff will be on hand 30 minutes before the meeting starts to assist constituents with Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits and other federal programs and matters. Congressman Lipinski said in a press release that this events provide fantastic opportunities for residents to get help on federal programs and to hear about the wide array of constituent services his office …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Eighth graders from all the 19th Ward's elementary schools gathered together to meet their legislators, engage in a debate and meet other neighborhood future leaders.
It was a morning to remember for the eighth graders gathered for breakfast at Morgan Park Academy last Friday. The student council presidents from all the 19th Ward's elementary schools were here to hear from Ald. Matt O'Shea, State Sen. Bill Cunningham and State Rep. Fran Hurley. They talked about the importance of leadership and community. The students engaged in lively debates using real state legislature bills as jumping off points. It was an opportunity to use their public speaking and leadership skills while engaging with peers. "I liked meeting new people and other students," said Rachel Bullock, a student at Keller. Hurley was impressed by the students' ability to debate and engage on the issues. It was an impressive group of …
Brian
1:37 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
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