Karen Kidd Stories | Will County Gazette

Lockport VFW post tackles 'take a knee' controversy with NFL ban

By Karen Kidd | Oct 2, 2017

Lockport VFW Post 5788 has scored big with its decision to not televise any National Football League games in light of the "taking a knee" controversy, the post commander told the Will County Gazette.

Budget described as no solution to Illinois insolvency

By Karen Kidd | Jul 21, 2017

While state lawmakers ended a two-year budget impasse, the measures adopted by the Illinois Legislature will not fix the state's fiscal mess, an analyst who co-wrote a paper that places the state 49th in long-run solvency told the Sangamon Sun.

Economist says something's got to give: pensions or public schools

By Karen Kidd | Jul 2, 2017

Public sector employees and retirees could accept less than their constitutionally protected pensions if they understand it's them or public education, an economist said during an appearance on a recent Chicago-based radio show.

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'Panicked' Democrats fear House downfall after approving school funding bill, radio host says

By Karen Kidd | Jun 23, 2017

Democratic state lawmakers showed their true colors in May when they demanded an investigation into an article about apparently doomed school funding reform legislation, a radio show co-host said recently.

Taxpayers say 'reform,' but lawmakers hear 'more taxes,' policy pro says

By Karen Kidd | Jun 17, 2017

Illinois lawmakers betray their ignorance of the needs and opinions of taxpayers when they pass huge tax increases as a way out of the ongoing budget impasse, a policy expert said on a radio program recently.

'Absurd' math used to calculate 'Comeback Agenda,' financial pro says

By Karen Kidd | May 18, 2017

There won't be any coming back for high-wage earners who will exit Illinois in a hurry if the so-called "Illinois Comeback Agenda" passes, a financial services professional said.

Oswego brings in new highway commissioner

By Karen Kidd | May 8, 2017

For the first time in almost 30 years, Oswego Township will have a highway commissioner whose name isn't "Grosskopf."

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Batinick draws line in sand: No nonessential bills until budget is passed

By Karen Kidd | May 5, 2017

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) says he isn't on strike, but he does plan to shut down any nonessential bill that comes to a House vote until a budget becomes a reality.

Chicagoland's Total Living Network keeps the faith

By Karen Kidd | Apr 26, 2017

The Christian cable television channel Total Living Network (TLN) has been tending its flock for 40 years now.

Medicaid, education must be key budget planks, former senator says

By Karen Kidd | Apr 4, 2017

Lawmakers in Springfield hammering out the so-called Grand Bargain need to restore the faith of business in Illinois, a former state senator turned technology and manufacturing advocate said during a recent Chicago-based radio talk show appearance.

Chapa LaVia's defeat in primary race may open opportunity for GOP

By Karen Kidd | Mar 20, 2017

In what the Illinois Opportunity Project co-founder called an "upset loss" for state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) in Aurora's mayoral primary race, her defeat was significant because she lost despite backing from the state's powerful House speaker, he said.

Batinick: Expect property tax relief by end of new General Assembly

By Karen Kidd | Jan 10, 2017

Fresh from the success of his property tax freeze bill passing the House during the last day of the 'lame duck' session, the 97th District's representative said Illinoisans can expect real property tax relief by the end of the new General Assembly.

Raise for Orland Park mayor bears hallmarks of pay spike for larger pension

By Karen Kidd | Jan 9, 2017

Though village trustees say it isn't, last fall's approved 375 percent pay raise for Orland Park's mayor bears some of the hallmarks of a pay spike for a larger pension, which the vice president of a Chicago-area think tank says taxpayer should be wary of.

New House GOP Conference chair says voters have mandated reform

By Karen Kidd | Jan 9, 2017

GOP legislators in Springfield got their marching orders in November's general election to keep pushing for reform, the newly named House Republican Conference chairman, a lawmaker from Kendall County, said during a recent interview.

Illinois taxpayers must demand that legislators reform pension system, analyst says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 7, 2016

Illinois taxpayers need to send a clear message to the General Assembly to work with the governor and tackle the state's trillions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, the president of a government advisory group said during a recent radio interview.

If Illinois Dems win big, they risk owning way more than just victory

By Karen Kidd | Nov 7, 2016

While online campaigning and phone polling are changing the way elections happen, Democrats in Springfield may find themselves in an unfamiliar position if they should win a super-majority next week, a Chicago-area political reporter said during a radio interview.