TOUGH LOVE From the 2002 election onward, the Illinois Republican Party has declined to near irrelevance. New party leader Jack Dorgan intends to change that. Some party leaders won't be happy. Too bad, he says.
GRAVEYARD A year ago, Illinois Republicans got crushed in state elections. Scott Stantis captured the moment, quite accurately, in cartoon form. Dorgan's remarks got us thinking about it. See it here.
CHARTERS UNDER FIRE If you have strong thoughts for or against charter schools in Illinois, you should read this article from Progress Illinois. Click here.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
CHARTERS, CHOICE On a related note, Joshua Dwyer of the Illinois Policy Institute is very much pro-charter -- and pro-voucher. He explains why choice is the answer for Chicago students trapped in failing schools. Here's his op-ed and the full study on which it's based.
FOR THE KIDS Gotten caught by a speed camera? Rahm Emanuel and the kids thank you.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
RAUNER'S RICH FRIENDS Last week Bruce Rauner gave $500,000 to his campaign. Now there are no limits on donations from anyone to any of the Republican candidates for governor. Rauner's friends are embracing this limitless world of giving. Find out how here.
TOP SECRET How secret can secret meetings be if the state's largest newspaper reports about them? Whatever. The four legislative leaders of the Illinois General Assembly have been meeting in secret and it could mean a pension vote in two weeks. More here.
PENSION ALERT If the Tribune's hunch proves true, lawmakers will return to Springfield Dec. 3 to vote on a pension reform bill. Tell your legislators, Gov. Quinn and the four legislative leaders that you expect action. Our Sound Off tool makes it easy. Click here and be heard.
INVITE A FRIEND Thanks to everyone who has forwarded this email to their friends and encouraged them to subscribe. The more of us there are, the more effective we are. If you know someone who is concerned about where Illinois is at and where it's going, forward this email to them. They can click here and subscribe. Copy me in when you forward it (editor@rebootillinois.com) and I'll make sure they get it. Together we really can make a difference and bring Illinois the government it deserves
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TOP 5 Here's what's in the headlines in Illinois today :
- 5. A North Shore donor has given $250,000 to Bruce Rauner’s campaign for governor. (Chicago Sun-Times)
4. A new report says the Chicago metropolitan area’s gross domestic output is larger than that of all but 20 countries. (NBC Chicago)
3. A large college-savings program in Illinois could be in danger of needing a bailout. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
2. Illinois’ pension system will receive a $100 million payment as part of a settlement with JPMorgan Chase. (Chicago Tribune)
1. Opinion: The top 4 lawmakers have been in private meetings working on pension reform…does that mean a vote is coming soon? (Chicago Tribune)
