LJC In The News
Free Market Group Sues Bullock Over ‘Dark Money’ Rule
(Montana Public Radio)—An Illinois advocacy group is suing Montana Gov. Steve Bullock over one of his trademark campaign finance policies targeting so-called ‘dark money’ in politics. The lawsuit announced Wednesday asks a federal judge to strike down Montana’s nearly year-old policy that requires certain businesses seeking contracts with the state...
Democrat Governor Excludes Conservative News Service From Media List
(The Daily Signal)—When two reporters showed up at the Wisconsin governor’s office in February for a press briefing on the new administration’s proposed budget, staffers turned them away. Although the governor’s office didn’t formally invite the reporters, they were credentialed through the Wisconsin Legislature to cover government activities. They also...
Wisconsin Governor Sued for Barring Conservative Journalists from Briefing
(Fox News)—A conservative think tank in Wisconsin is suing the state’s governor, Tony Evers, amid allegations that his administration has denied journalists working for the group’s new service access to a budget press briefing and refused to add its reporters to the governor’s press list. The Maclver Institute, a right-leaning...
Conservative Think Tank Sues Wisconsin’s Evers Over Access
(AP News)—A conservative think tank has filed a federal lawsuit against Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, alleging he violated the First Amendment rights of staff members who were denied access to a press briefing and kept off an advisory list sent to other reporters. The MacIver Institute for Public Policy...
Conservative Group Sues Tony Evers in Federal Court Over Media Access
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)—A conservative group alleges Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has violated its writers’ rights to free speech and equal access by not notifying them about the governor’s public appearances or inviting them to media events. The Madison-based John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, which has a news service...
Conservative MacIver Institute Files Federal Lawsuit Against Tony Evers Over Press Access
(The Cap Times)—The conservative Maclver Institute has filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, alleging his office has excluded the outlet from media events. The suit, filed in federal court Tuesday, argues the actions are a violation of their reporters’ First Amendment rights guaranteeing press freedom and free speech,...
Still Paying Coerced Labor Dues, Even After Janus
(The Wall Street Journal)—A year after Janus, Ms. O’Callaghan isn’t the only public employee finding it difficult to cut ties with a union. Dozens of workers have crashed into obstacles set by unions and their allies in state government. Many are turning to lawsuits. Ms. O’Callaghan enlisted the help of...
Lincolnshire May Have to Fight for “Right-to-Work” Ordinance
(The Chicago Tribune)—Officials in Lincolnshire are aware of the possibility that a new union ordinance could soon face a legal challenge, and both sides are gearing up for a fight. The Illinois chapter of the AFL-CIO — one of the largest union organizations in the nation — is considering a...
City Sued for Banning Ads in Ride-Share Vehicles
(The Chicago Tribune)—A Minneapolis technology company has sued the city of Chicago for banning advertising inside the private cars used by Uber, Lyft and other ride-share company drivers. Vugo, founded in 2015 and looking to expand its digital advertising business to ride-sharing vehicles here, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday in...
State Workers Seek to Recoup ‘Fair Share’ Union Fees in Proposed Class-Action Lawsuit
(The Chicago Tribune)—Continuing a fight against public employee unions initially spearheaded by former Gov. Bruce Rauner, nine state workers who say they have opted out of union membership are asking to be repaid for past “fair share” fees in a proposed class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit filed Wednesday argues that more...
Embattled Illinois Auditor General’s Campaign Spending Under Scrutiny at Hearing
(The Chicago Tribune)—An Illinois State Board of Elections hearing officer is expected to issue a recommendation next month regarding allegations that Auditor General Frank Mautino violated campaign finance disclosure laws during his time as a Democratic state representative. On Thursday, hours of testimony were heard on the issue of whether...
Businessman Sues Downers Grove to Keep Signs Painted on His Building
(The Chicago Tribune)—A Downers Grove business owner is taking to federal court a long-running fight over signs on his building. Robert Peterson is suing the village of Downers Grove to keep from having to paint over signs deemed in violation of local ordinance. The suit was filed in the Northern...
Evanston Opens Door to Outside Food Trucks
(The Chicago Tribune)—Food trucks from outside of Evanston can now peddle their gourmet sandwiches, pastries, coffee and other foods within the city’s borders, thanks to an ordinance change approved by the Evanston City Council on Monday, lifting a restriction that had been place since 2010. Evanston City Council members approved...
Chicago’s Home-Sharing Ordinance is an Unwelcome Guest
(The Chicago Tribune)—When the Cubs won the World Series in early November, the city was euphoric. And in the days leading up to the win, Wrigleyville was buzzing with excited fans — from Chicago and around the world. During that time, Airbnb reported that people who rent out their homes...
Why I Don’t Want to Pay Union Dues
(The Chicago Tribune)—As a child support specialist at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, my job is to fight for the little ones. Sometimes when parents aren’t together anymore, kids get caught in the crossfire. These scars can last well beyond childhood, and they often mean that kids...