By Sara Burnett Published 11:34 am, Monday, January 15, 2018 Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 Businessman Chris Kennedy’s father, the late Sen. Robert Kennedy, was killed as he ran for president in 1968. Businessman Chris Kennedy’s father, the late Sen. Robert Kennedy, was killed as he ran for president in 1968. Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press Kennedy scion puts gun violence at center of Illinois campaign 1 / 1 Back to Gallery CHICAGO — Few people running for public office have been more personally affected by gun violence than Chris Kennedy, who was a child when his father and his uncle, Sen. Robert Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy, were assassinated. Now the 54-year-old Democrat has made the issue a centerpiece of his … [Read more...] about Kennedy scion puts gun violence at center of Illinois campaign
Illinois
Judge orders Illinois to expand medical marijuana qualifying conditions to include pain
A judge has ordered Illinois officials to add intractable pain as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, a ruling that could greatly expand access to the drug. The Illinois Department of Public Health had rejected intractable pain — defined as pain that’s resistant to treatment — but Cook County Judge Raymond Mitchell ordered the agency to add the condition. A health department spokeswoman said Tuesday the agency will appeal the ruling. The change is expected to be put on hold while the appeal is pursued. Ann Mednick, whose lawsuit resulted in the ruling, said she has taken opioid pills to cope with extreme pain caused by osteoarthritis but wants a treatment with fewer side effects that would allow her to be more functional. Rheumatoid arthritis is on the list of about 40 qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, but osteoarthritis is not, nor is general or chronic pain. “Illinois is years behind the times,” the Rolling Meadows woman said. … [Read more...] about Judge orders Illinois to expand medical marijuana qualifying conditions to include pain
Illinois attorney general says girl can use medical marijuana at school
Advertisement Share Shares Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Updated: 2:21 PM EST Jan 16, 2018 CNN SOURCE: CNN Illinois attorney general says girl can use medical marijuana at school Share Shares Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Updated: 2:21 PM EST Jan 16, 2018 CHICAGO — The Illinois attorney general's office on Friday told a federal court it will allow a suburban Chicago school district to administer medical marijuana to an 11-year-old leukemia patient to treat her for seizure disorders.The commitment made to U.S. District Judge John Blakey came two days after the student's parents sued Schaumburg-based District 54 and the state for the girl's right to take medical marijuana at school. Illinois' medical cannabis law prohibits possessing or using marijuana on school grounds or buses. Advertisement Parents Jim and Maureen Surin … [Read more...] about Illinois attorney general says girl can use medical marijuana at school
OSU football: Former Oklahoma State cornerback Madre Harper lands at Southern Illinois
Two years after he enrolled early at Oklahoma State, a former Cowboy defensive back has enrolled at a new school. Madre Harper, a cornerback who was dismissed from the OSU football program in September, has joined Southern Illinois, the school announced Tuesday. An Arlington, Texas, native, Harper played in seven games, making 10 career tackles, before his dismissal before OSU's third game of the season against Pittsburgh. A three-star recruit out of high school, Harper competed for the starting cornerback jobs that went to A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams in August. Southern Illinois competes in the Football Championship Subdivision. … [Read more...] about OSU football: Former Oklahoma State cornerback Madre Harper lands at Southern Illinois
Illinois delays sending voter data to multi-state program
CHICAGO — Illinois will postpone submitting fresh voter information to a controversial multi-state voter registration database because the Kansas-based program has not offered updated security plans, election officials confirmed Tuesday. The move comes as several states debate ending their participation in the free and voluntary Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program. It was designed in 2005 as a way to help four neighboring states share information and clean voter rolls by making sure voters weren't registered in more than one state. The program has grown to include about two dozen states, including Illinois, which began submitting information in 2011. But questions have been raised in Illinois and elsewhere about the security of passwords, accuracy of the information and the political leanings of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who oversees Crosscheck and helped lead President Donald Trump's now-disbanded election fraud commission. It was investigating … [Read more...] about Illinois delays sending voter data to multi-state program
Biss has right message for Illinois
Daniel Biss hit the nail on the head when he said "the middle class and working poor people of Illinois have been overpaying [income taxes]. Let's acknowledge that the wealthiest residents have been underpaying." (Biss: Illinois suffocating under too many pension systems, Daily Herald, January 9, 2018). Illinois voters interested in a fair state tax should seriously consider Daniel Biss, Democratic candidate for governor. Biss, a state senator and former University of Chicago math teacher, plans to change the state tax structure so that a person making $20,000/year doesn't pay the same tax rate as someone making $200,000/year. Unlike some of the other candidates, Biss is not a billionaire, millionaire, or an heir to any family dynasty. Not surprisingly, those candidates are the most visible. But Biss is gaining ground. His fundraising -- $1.1 million this quarter alone -- reflects the building of a movement of people like me who believe that government, including our tax system, … [Read more...] about Biss has right message for Illinois
Illinois man awarded Carnegie Medal for thwarting attack
Updated 2:40 pm, Tuesday, January 16, 2018 Photo: Thomas Bruch, AP Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 In this Jan. 15, 2018 photo, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood presents James Vernon, left, with the Carnegie Medal, in LaHood's office in Peoria, Ill. Vernon was awarded the medal for thwarting a knife-wielding man who intended to kill people at a chess club session for children at the Morton Public Library in 2015. The Army veteran fought then 19-year-old Dustin Brown until the armed man was apprehended, saving the lives of children and mothers. (Thomas Bruch/Journal Star via AP) less In this Jan. 15, 2018 photo, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood presents James Vernon, left, with the Carnegie Medal, in LaHood's office in Peoria, Ill. Vernon was awarded the medal for thwarting a knife-wielding man who ... more Photo: Thomas Bruch, AP Illinois man … [Read more...] about Illinois man awarded Carnegie Medal for thwarting attack
Lake Zurich resident crowned Miss Illinois High School America
After a recent busy pageant weekend, Suhanee Patel of Lake Zurich was crowned Miss Illinois High School America 2018. Being one of 24 contestants in various age divisions, Suhanee finished with the overall title of Miss Illinois High School America 2018. "It seemed surreal to hear my name next to the words, 'Your new Miss Illinois High School America is ...,'" said Suhanee. At the recent pageant, she earned the following awards in her age division as well: Best High School Pride Attire, Best Evening Gown and Highest Combined Overall Score. Under the coordination of directors Vicki Misuraca and Peter Fosco along with their staff, this year's pageant was held in Rosemont Thanksgiving weekend. The 24 young ladies had a fun weekend full of festive rehearsals and competitions. Judging criteria consisted of interview, runway fashion and evening gown competitions. Patel is well known in her community for her compassion and desire to help others. An added bonus is her thirst for knowledge … [Read more...] about Lake Zurich resident crowned Miss Illinois High School America
Morning Spin: Illinois election officials won’t pass along voter data for now
Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.TopspinIllinois election officials have told state lawmakers that voter data won't be sent as scheduled to a controversial system aimed at flagging duplicate voter registrations across state lines.The State Board of Elections' decision is the latest action prompted by concerns over Illinois’ participation in the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program.The program is run through the Kansas secretary of state’s office headed by Kris Kobach. Kobach was head of the recently disbanded voter integrity task force formed by President Donald Trump.In November, the eight-member state elections board split along partisan lines in rejecting a call to end Illinois’ role in the program over questions about the security of voters’ personal information.Some Democratic lawmakers have … [Read more...] about Morning Spin: Illinois election officials won’t pass along voter data for now
Illinois high schools test different, often controversial, approach to education
For years, west suburban Proviso East High School was known for dismal test scores and struggling students with elusive college dreams.It badly needed an academic overhaul — though the challenge would be formidable.“I didn’t see hope when I came in the door,” said Patrick Hardy, the charismatic principal who started at the school in 2015-16.Today, transformation has replaced hopelessness at Proviso East, where administrators, select teachers and a cadre of kids have launched a bold and controversial experiment: They’re abandoning most aspects of traditional classroom instruction and reshaping the way kids learn.The approach, called competency-based learning, puts the onus on students to study and master skills at their own pace, making their own choices along the way and turning to peers and online searches for answers before they lean on teachers for help. Students may show proficiency on a topic not simply through traditional testing but by using … [Read more...] about Illinois high schools test different, often controversial, approach to education