Illinois Herald

An independent, grassroots news outlet covering Chicago, Cook County and Illinois.

[illinoisherald]

Libertarian Claire Ball most qualified for IL Comptroller

Springfield, IL (ONN) A Special Election is being held to fill the seat of Illinois Comptroller vacated by the death of Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. The current Comptroller, Leslie Munger, was appointed by Governor Bruce Rauner in 2015. Leading in the polls however is Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, a product of the scandal plagued Chicago Democratic Machine. But surprisingly, the most qualified by far is the Libertarian candidate, Claire Ball.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q4/libertarian-claire-ball-most-qualified-il-comptroller/

[illinoisherald]

Veggie Fest 2016 coming July 23-24

July 6, 2016. Lisle, IL (ONN) Now in its 11th year, Chicago Veggie Fest is back. The two-day festival is one of the largest vegetarian expositions in North America. Last year’s event saw record breaking crowds that topped 35,000 attendees. Speakers, businesses, musical acts and fest-goers come from countries all over the world. Stop by this year to see why Veggie Fest Chicago is one of the most popular events in America. 

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q3/veggie-fest-2016-coming-july-23-24/

[illinoisherald]

List of Chicago Schools with Lead, minimal Lead, no Lead

June 20, 2016. Chicago (ONN) When lead contamination was discovered in water pipes in Flint and Detroit late last year, communities around the country began testing their own water supply. A few months ago, the city of Chicago began doing the same. In an attempt to protect its children from lead poisoning, the Chicago Public School system has been systematically testing the drinking water in the city’s numerous public schools. Here are the results. 

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q2/list-chicago-schools-lead-minimal-lead-no-lead/

[illinoisherald]

Green Party scrambles to get on Nov Ballot in IL

June 13, 2016. Chicago (ONN) The Green Party of Illinois has just two weeks left to collect and submit enough petition signatures to have their candidates appear on the November General Election ballot in Illinois. In 2008, Illinois Greens collected enough signatures. But they didn’t have the money or resources to fight off a strategic challenge to those petitions by Illinois Democrats and were left off. They hope this year will be different.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q2/green-party-scrambles-get-nov-ballot-il/

[illinoisherald]

Chicago Rib Fest June 10-12

June 6, 2016. Chicago (ONN) What combines 60,000 people and 50,000 pounds of pork? The appetizing answer is Chicago’s own Rib Fest. Now in its 18th year, RibFest Chicago has been dubbed Chicago’s ‘Best Food Fest’ and one of the most popular summer festivals the city has to offer. From its humble beginnings in a north side parking lot, RibFest Chicago has become a favorite of foodies, local residents, and even the nationally televised Food Network. 

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q2/chicago-rib-fest-june-10-12/

[illinoisherald]

IL Third Parties begin unfair Ballot Access process

April 13, 2016. Chicago (ONN) If you wanted to run for Congress here in Illinois, and you are a Democrat or Republican, you would need only about 500 signatures. But if you wanted to run as an independent, a Libertarian, a Green or a Constitution Party candidate, you would need about 15,000 signatures. That doesn’t seem fair, does it? Now consider you are one of those third parties and you want to run an entire slate of candidates. The requirements are nearly insurmountable, and that’s no accident.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q2/il-third-parties-begin-unfair-ballot-access-process/

[illinoisherald]

Libertarian Party of Illinois State Convention Recap

March 31, 2016. Springfield. (ONN) Election years often see new members flocking to alternative parties and the Libertarian Party is no exception. Opening night of the 2016 Libertarian Party of Illinois State Convention hosted over one hundred attendees in a standing-room-only event to watch seven of the party’s presidential candidates debate before the nominating convention in April.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/libertarian-party-illinois-state-convention-recap/

[illinoisherald]

Top 20 State Legislator Pension Recipients

March 24, 2016. Springfield. (ONN) Illinois and Chicago may have the most bankrupt and unfunded pension funds in the country. But for members of the elite establishment - former State Representatives and State Senators - there is apparently no shortage of taxpayer funds to make them and their family members multi-millionaires. Here is a list of the top recipients of the Illinois General Assembly pension program. Readers will find some very familiar names. 

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/top-20-state-legislator-pension-recipients/

[illinoisherald]

Greens and Libertarians choose Statewide Candidates

March 17, 2016. Springfield, IL (ONN) While Illinois Republicans and Democrats were voting for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the state’s opposition political parties were busy themselves. Both the Illinois Green Party and the Illinois Libertarian Party held state conventions to choose their own challengers to the two establishment parties this November. Showing how popular the Greens and Libertarians are becoming in Illinois, both had contested races and each had a surprise victor.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/greens-and-libertarians-choose-statewide-candidates/

[illinoisherald]

Mary Poppins now playing at Stage 773

March 5, 2016. Chicago (ONN) The legendary musical Mary Poppins is currently running at Chicago’s north side theater Stage 773. Who could forget Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in their starring roles in the famed Disney movie that made Mary Poppins so unforgettable. Now, and playing through March 27th, Stage 773 and the NightBlue Performing Arts Company have brought the musical to Chicago. On Broadway, the show earned seven TONY nominations including Best Musical.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/mary-poppins-now-playing-stage-773/

[illinoisherald]

Chicago Greens have contested Primary, sort of

February 27, 2016. Chicago. (ONN) North side Chicago residents, as well as many of the surrounding suburbs, will be offered a rare choice for the March 15 Primary Election. Voters will have three political party ballots to choose from instead of the typical two. That’s because the Green Party of Chicago has not only achieved major party status in the 5th Congressional District, but it has a contested Primary for its seat in Congress.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/chicago-greens-have-contested-primary-sort/

[illinoisherald]

Meet Libertarian Candidate for IL Comptroller Claire Ball

February 21, 2016. Addison, IL. (ONN) While Republicans and Democrats are preparing for their March Primaries here in Illinois, the state’s Libertarians are already on the campaign trail for the November General Election. One of those is Claire Ball, Libertarian Party candidate for Illinois Comptroller. Not only does she appear more qualified than her likely Democrat and GOP opponents, but Ball would bring an anti-corruption, non-partisan approach to Illinois’ near-bankrupt finances.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/meet-libertarian-candidate-il-comptroller-claire-ball/

[illinoisherald]

The 25 Chicago Aldermen who voted for Corruption

February 13, 2016. Chicago. (ONN) The 50 members of the Chicago City Council were forced to publicly take a stand either for or against corruption this week. And in the closest vote in recent memory, a slim majority of Aldermen and women voted to protect corruption and strip the city’s Inspector General of his powers to investigate the council members’ public spending habits. That includes the $100 million per year workers comp program which will remain secret and administered by one powerful Alderman.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/25-chicago-aldermen-who-voted-corruption/

[illinoisherald]

Chicago Cop sues dead Teen he killed

February 8, 2016. Chicago. (ONN) A Chicago police officer who killed an innocent grandmother and the teenager who called 911 for help has filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the estate of the teen he shot and killed. The officer claims he is suffering “extreme emotional trauma” due to the actions of the Northern Illinois student who was standing in his home holding a baseball bat the morning after Christmas when the officer shot and killed him along with an innocent neighbor.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/chicago-cop-sues-dead-teen-he-killed/

[illinoisherald]

Two Thirds of Illinois State Reps running unopposed

January 29, 2016. Springfield, IL. (ONN) Voters in Illinois must really love their State Legislature. A staggering 65 percent of the 118 State Representatives will have no opponent in the General Election. That’s a sad state of democracy for what is arguably the most bankrupt and corrupt state in America. Or is there another reason nobody wants to challenge the incumbents and party insiders? Many say our election system is rigged and there is no point in voting, much less running for office. Others disagree.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/two-thirds-illinois-state-reps-running-unopposed/

[illinoisherald]

Interview with Libertarian Senate Candidate Chris Michel

January 25, 2016. Romeoville, IL. (ONN) While Illinois Democrats and Republicans are fighting amongst themselves to see who will represent each Party in the November General Election, the Libertarian Party of Illinois has recruited a slate of experienced candidates and they’re already on the campaign trail. One of those Libertarian hopefuls is Chris Michel, candidate for US Senate. As voter sentiment currently stands, come November he may face two of the most unpopular establishment politicians in Illinois.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/interview-libertarian-senate-candidate-chris-michel/

[illinoisherald]

Jerry Seinfeld coming to Genesee Theatre in March

January 21, 2016. Waukegan. (ONN) Legendary TV star and stand-up comic Jerry Seinfeld is returning to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. Mixing clever observations with humorous commentary and impressions, Seinfeld has earned the title of one of the most popular comedians in America. Is he still as funny as ever? Purchase a couple tickets and head to the famed Genesee Theatre to find out. Tickets are going fast, so get yours while they’re still available.

http://www.illinoisherald.com/articles/2016/q1/jerry-seinfeld-coming-genesee-theatre-march/