A Cold Turn In Chicago’s Effort to Combat Rats
The city looks to add dry ice to its rodent control arsenal.
Navigator Award Finalist: Michael Murphy and Team, Sangamon County Citizens’ Efficiency Committee
Through careful research and thoughtful discussion, this advisory body is helping county and local governments figure out ways to tackle tough challenges.
Navigator Award Finalist: Derek Eder and Christopher Whitaker, Chi Hack Night
It’s not easy to host a weekly event to encourage civic engagement.
We Need More Young Voices in Government Decisions
When those who will inherit public issues and take the reins of power are disengaged, we have a problem. Chicago is trying to change that.
Recent State Voter Registration System Cyberattacks Prompt FBI Alert
But the "election process isn’t really at great risk from what happened with this hack,” according to the general counsel of the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Chicago Wants Its Rivers to Be Swimmable
The city’s new vision for clean and safe waterways is either wishful thinking or incredibly ambitious.
Pennsylvania, Illinois Budget Fights Hold Lessons for Other States
Does protecting critical services from harm prolong budget fights?
Minority Neighborhoods Benefit From Shared Mobility Systems
Chicago is expanding its bikeshare program into disadvantaged communities, increasing cost-effective access to jobs and educational opportunities.
The State of the States on Naturalization: Highlights from California, Illinois, and Washington
Case studies of California, Illinois, and Washington illustrate the different approaches states have taken to support the naturalization process.
Chicago’s New Civic Tech Collaboration: Better E. Coli Risk Predictions
Volunteers are helping the Chicago Park District figure out whether there are better analytics models for water contamination hazards at Lake Michigan beaches.
New State-by-State GDP Gains and Losses Released
The states with the largest economies based on real GDP in 2015 are California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
High-Profile Cases Spur States to Reconsider Statutes of Limitations for Rape
It can take years for sexual abuse victims to find the courage to come forward, and police departments across the country are still digging through a backlog of rape kits, some of which are three decades old.
Chicago’s Bloody Weekend; Seattle Monitors Portland’s Homeless Camps
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: NYC bars must serve pregnant women; Flint’s mayor may have wanted relief funds for campaign; New Mexico teachers can criticize standardized tests again.
Dennis ‘Hastert’ Mix-Up Frustrates Officials in Neighboring Chicago Suburbs
Angry residents are demanding that “Hassert” Boulevard be renamed and one mayor has taken a big step to clear up the confusion.
An Illinois County Provides Model to Get a Pill-Disposal Program Up and Running
Lake County knew that preventing prescription drugs from getting into a water supply or the wrong hands is important. And it got help from Walgreens in its prescription turn-in efforts.
Can Hands-On Civics Heal Chicago?
Students gain more than just an understanding of civics when they dive into the laws of their city.
Chicago State University Close to Shutting Down; Florida’s Heroin Crisis Epicenter
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Colorado’s sexting legislation; Honolulu’s loud electronic restroom warnings; Hartford’s troubled finances.
Fitch Downgrades Rating on Chicago Debt to One Notch Above Junk
The move by the ratings agency comes after the Illinois Supreme Court last week ruled against a law aimed at reining in public employee pension liabilities.
State and Local Daily Digest: Uber and Lyft Drivers Owe Chicago $15 Million; Richmond Budget Woes
Also in our news roundup: Florida sea-level rise report; arsenic contamination in Texas; and all electronic prescriptions in New York state.
Why Small Cities and Counties Rarely Merge
Although the consolidation of jurisdictions can streamline services and achieve cost savings, a combination of history, politics and pride can be big stumbling blocks.
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