Citizen Bulletin: Charter School Teachers Win Pay & Other News in Chicago Politics
UChicago Democracy Initative
February 17-24, 2019
The Citizen Bulletin’s news highlights from this week include: Chicago municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, February 26, polls are open 6 a.m.–7 p.m. Learn about the candidates for Mayor and 5th and 20th ward alderman with our voter guide! Look up the location of your polling place here.
CHICAGO CITY GOVERNMENT
Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th Ward) ~ call your alderman! (773) 324-5555 ELECTION 2/26 [running]
[No News]
Alderman Willie Cochran (20th Ward) ~ call your alderman! (773) 955-5610 ELECTION 2/26 [retiring]
[No News]
Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) ~ call your mayor! (312) 744-3300 ELECTION 2/26 [retiring]
Feb 18: Sent a letter to Amazon asking that they reconsider Chicago for a second headquarters
COOK COUNTY BOARD
President Toni Preckwinkle ~ call your Cook County board president! (312) 603-6400
[No News]
ILLINOIS STATE GOVERNMENT
Representative Curtis Tarver (D–District 25) ~ call your state rep!
[No News]
Senator Robert Peters (D–District 13) ~ call your state senator!
[No News]
Governor JB Pritzker (D–IL) ~ call your governor!
Feb 19: Signed into law a $15 minimum wage increase that will take effect in 2025
Feb 20: Proposed legalizing sports betting and marijuana during his budget address
Feb 21: Urged the general assembly to pass graduated income tax legislation before the summer recess; the proposal would require voter approval in the 2020 election
Feb 22: Proposed a five-cent bag tax to help balance the budget
U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Representative Bobby Rush (D–IL1) ~ call your representative! (773) 779-2400
[No News]
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D–IL) ~ call your senator! (312) 886-3506
Feb 18: Declared her support for striking Chicago charter school teachers who demanded pay raises, shorter work schedules and class-size limits
Feb 19: Introduced the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2019 which would prevent forcible incarceration based on race or religion
Feb 22: Called on the EPA to prevent a company in Southeast Chicago from releasing neurotoxic chemicals
Senator Richard Durbin (D–IL) ~ call your senator! (312) 353-4952
Feb 19: Called on the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General to investigate title IV funds which allegedly have not been paid to students
President Donald Trump (R) ~ call your president! (202) 456-1414
Feb 19: Signed an executive order supporting the development of artificial intelligence
The Citizen Bulletin is a product of the University of Chicago Democracy Initiative (UCDI). UCDI is proudly supported by Andrew Goodman Foundation’s nonpartisan Vote Everywhere project. In addition to the UCDI website, you can find past versions of the bulletin here. For news closer to campus, subscribe to the twice weekly newsletter produced by our partners at the Chicago Maroon.
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