Nearly 1,000 Chicago high school students rallied yesterday to condemn the outbreak of gun violence that has seemingly engulfed Chicago Public Schools. A teenager shot to death over the weekend brought the total number of students killed this academic year to 20
And gun violence is not all that our students have to worry about. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that some mobile homes -- including those used by many public schools as temporary classrooms -- may contain dangerously high levels of formaldehyde. Currently, the state does mandate air quality tests in classrooms, leaving some to wonder if the mobile homes are safe for students.
By an 86-21 vote, the Illinois House approved a bill to overhaul the State Board of Education. The measure would remove the current board members -- all of whom were appointed by Gov. Blagojevich -- and replace them individuals nominated by a special panel.
In presidential politics, Barack Obama has picked up a new endorsement. Former Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton says that Obama will bring the "politics of consensus" to the White House. Hamilton was the co-chairman of the 9/11 Commission and the Iraq Study Group, and his endorsement should not only aid Obama in the Indiana primary but also boost his foreign policy credentials.
Here's Chicago Mayor Richard Daley responding to the decision to compensate Jay Stone, who lost his 2003 aldermanic bid when Daley's organization directed city workers to assist the incumbent's campaign: "I guess all the candidates that lost [in 2006] will blame the unions and file a complaint against the unions for stacking it against them, taking political money and taking people off of jobs, so I think it's silly to tell you the truth." Of course, Daley conveniently overlooks the difference between the campaign work conducted by the union members (who were volunteers) and the patronage workers (who were on the city clock).
(More after the jump ...)
Meanwhile in the waters of Lake Michigan environmentalists and fishermen hope to see a rebound in the perch population this year. Perch have been on the decline in the lake since the mid-1990's, but a perch population boom a few years ago has some wondering if the worst is over for the tasty fish.
Federal prosecutors have charged a former state treasurer employee with embezzling $750,000. Prosecutors are trying to recover a portion of the haul, but believe much of the money may already have been spent.
Finally, it wasn't April Fool's: the sales tax hike went into effect yesterday throughout Cook County. The revenue raised by the quarter point increase will be used to keep public transportation running smoothly.
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