Big money pouring into Illinois campaign – Chicago Tribune

Good morning, Chicago.

At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the importance of money in national politics was evident, from appeals at lavish fundraisers to a steady stream of video ads and text messages.

But in Illinois, big money is pouring into politics at an alarming rate, all but putting government offices for sale in the Land of Lincoln.

Few states have encouraged politicians to raise and spend money as aggressively as Illinois, where a massive cash infusion led by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his Republican billionaire foes, while lax rules and weak enforcement standards have tempted politicians to push the boundaries of campaign finance.

As part of an ongoing series ‘Culture of corruption’ The report explores how Illinois’s politics of greed, structural flaws and tepid oversight set the state apart, with a lack of meaningful campaign finance reform repeatedly identified as a key factor.

Read the latest article in this series From the Tribune Brontosaurus and Rick Pearson.

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Peacekeepers endure a deadly summer as they work to make communities safer

This summer, five Peacekeepers were shot in Little Village and North Lawndale, which outreach workers said may be related to recent clashes between street gangs that have been feuding on the West Side for decades. Three people died. All worked for the New Life Center, a nonprofit based in Little Village that provides social services and community assistance to people on the West Side.

Matt DeMatteo, CEO of the New Life Center, said the recent deaths have come as a shock to the community, the organization and the people who work with them. “These are our neighbors, our family members. We are devastated,” he said.

Father and son both suffer from incurable lung disease, former employer faces dozens of OSHA fines

For nearly 24 years, Antonio Campos has been cutting stone for Florence Marble and Granite, a small countertop manufacturer on Chicago’s West Side. The job allows him to earn enough money to support his family in Mexico and take care of relatives in Chicago. Seven years ago, he recruited his son, José Gomez, to work with him.

Sitting on a brown couch hooked up to an oxygen tank at his daughter’s house, Campos, who helped make a black marble table for the company, is waiting for a lung transplant. His 32-year-old son has already received one.

A week after the labor board said some third-party delivery drivers are Amazon employees, the Teamsters union said more drivers in Skokie are organizing

A growing number of Amazon delivery drivers in Skokie are organizing with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters following a decision by the California Labor Board, the union said this week. The decision “lays the groundwork” for delivery drivers to organize nationwide.

As grand plans linger, North Island’s potential as an urban oasis fails to materialize

However, the city has considered transforming the island in the past. The most recent proposal was put forward in 2022 under then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The proposal would improve accessibility and transform the island into a climate education center.

The Johnson administration has not implemented any of those recommendations, according to a city spokesperson.

So, is that all for North Island?

Record-breaking: The Chicago White Sox lost 2-0 on Sunday, their 107th loss of the season and the most in franchise history

Garrett Crochet struck out seven consecutive batters in the game on Sunday, tying the team and American League record for most consecutive strikeouts in a game.

But even that couldn’t stop the Red Sox from setting a franchise record for most losses in a season.

The Red Sox lost their 107th game of the year, falling to the Mets 2-0 in front of 16,887 fans at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Angel Reese becomes WNBA single-season rebounding leader as Chicago Sky loses 79-74 to Minnesota Lynx

Angel Reese became the WNBA’s single-season rebounding leader and Courtney Williams scored 22 points for the Bobcats as the Chicago Sky lost 79-74 to the Minnesota Bobcats on Sunday with eight games remaining.

Reese finished with 17 points and 19 rebounds, her 24th double-double, a league record for a rookie. She grabbed 418 rebounds, an average of 13.1 per game, surpassing Sylvia Fowles’ record of 404 rebounds in 2018. The 6-foot-3 Reese also broke the offensive rebounding record with 165 offensive rebounds, surpassing Yolanda Griffith (162 in 2001).

A century ago, Soldier Field was born as a lakefront sports stadium, enhancing Chicago’s image as a world-class city.

Chicago’s Lakefront Stadium was born with a heated debate over its name. During construction, it was simply called “Grant Park Stadium.” The issue arose when it was decided to honor American soldiers who served in World War I.

Biblioracle: 4 Chicago books about May Day work, from Upton Sinclair to Studs Terkel

Chicago is deeply tied to the history of the labor movement and Labor Day. We also have a few books about Chicago that remain relevant as we think about the past and future of work.

You use Spotify to listen to music. Here’s how advertising and subscription fee revenue flows to artists.

Spotify is the largest platform, with about 31% of the total market share, and reportedly has 626 million users and 246 million subscribers in more than 180 markets.

In July, Spotify increased its monthly subscription fee. So how exactly do advertisers and subscription fees get transferred from Spotify to artists’ wallets?

Top 10 Dances Fall 2024: U.S. premieres at the Joffrey and Harris Theatres, and Fosse Dance at Hubbard Street

Resilience and perseverance are themes on this fall’s dance calendar. After rising to prominence with Chicago’s River North Dance, Stephanie Martinez bounced back to create dances for ballet companies across the country. When work dried up in 2020, she hired out-of-work dancers to perform in an Avondale parking lot. It was amazing.