TO THE COURTS A group of active and retired teachers and administrators has filed a lawsuit to overturn the pension bill signed into law Dec. 5. They cite the Illinois Constitution, its framers and recent case law in their suit. Read it here.
FIRST SHOT The lawsuit filed last week likely will be just the first such action as labor and retirees seek to invalidate the new pension law. Whatever happens, it'll ultimately be decided by the Illinois Supreme Court. More on the pension lawsuit here.
BE IT RESOLVED Illinois will be a much better state if it sticks to these New Year's resolutions. And we're not just dreaming here. Click for our Top 10 resolutions of 2014.
Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
STITCHES IN TIME A former congressman and his wife sent to prison, the Republican gubernatorial field grows to four, the Democratic field shrinks to one. So many highlights from 2013. We've packed them into this fun and informative interactive timeline.
FUTURE GAZING Has there ever been a year with as much prediction potential as 2014? Will unions team up to keep Bruce Rauner from winning the Republican nomination for governor? Who will face Pat Quinn in November? Will Quinn prevail? What will happen to the income tax increase scheduled to end a year from tomorrow? Will the Illinois Supreme Court uphold the pension reform bill? Will the Bears rebound in 2014? Will the Blackhawks repeat? So many possibilities. We want to hear your thoughts for the year that starts Wednesday. Click here and share your prediction!
Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, REBOOT ILLINOIS If you live in Lake or McHenry counties, please join us and Republican state Sen. Pamela Althoff, Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks and Republican state Rep. Barbara Wheeler at a special town hall forum on January 14th in Woodstock. Details here and let us know you're coming, please.
TOP 5 Today's top politics and government headlines from around Illinois:
- 5. Opinion: Dan Rutherford is a pragmatist with concrete ideas for Illinois. (Daily Chronicle)
- 4. Opinion: Unlike his Republican primary opponents, it appears Bruce Rauner is avoiding the press. (Chicago Sun-Times)
- 3. If public unions in Illinois thought 2013 was difficult, 2014 could be worse thanks to Bruce Rauner’s campaign gaining momentum. (Chicago Sun-Times)
- 2. Unemployment rates rose in most Illinois metro areas in November. (Associated Press)
- 1. Retired teachers are the first to file a lawsuit against the pension reform plan passed earlier this month. (Chicago Tribune)
