Cook County’s Transportation Funds Fiasco

A Circuit Court judge just ruled that Cook County blew $243 million in transportation tax revenues on non-transportation stuff. The county tried to argue it could use the cash for expenses like sheriff’s offices and courts, but the judge wasn’t having it.

The Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Alliance, a trade group representing construction firms, originally sued the county in 2018 over this policy. They claimed the county’s diversion of funds threatened their livelihoods, and it looks like the court agrees.

Other News

It’s not all about Cook County’s financial fiasco, though. The Trump administration’s border czar is talking about reducing immigration enforcement in Minnesota – but only if state and local officials cooperate. Meanwhile, protesters are getting detained outside Target stores in Chicago, demanding the retailer denounce ICE.

And if you’re in Chicago, get ready for another round of snow. A winter weather advisory is in effect, so make sure to bundle up. Oh, and the Chicago Reader is going monthly under new ownership – because who needs daily news, anyway?

U.S. Senate contenders are also making waves, with the three leading Democratic candidates agreeing that Trump poses a constitutional crisis. But they can’t seem to agree on much else.