Progress Illinois

Obama Arrives in Germany
Barack Obama is trying to downplay expectations about a speech he is set to deliver tonight in Berlin's Tiergarten park. As many as a million people are likely to attend the speech in which Obama will ask Europe to do more in global conflict zones like Afghanistan.

State Senators Will Not Meet Before the Fall, Jones Blames Madigan For Cuts
Senate President Emil Jones said in no uncertain terms yesterday that the Senate would not be meeting to override Gov. Rod Blagojevich's $1.4 billion in budget cuts. Furthermore, Jones placed the blame for the cuts on the shoulders of House Speaker Michael Madigan. State senators from both sides of the aisle agree that a Senate meeting before the fall is all but impossible.

State Official: IDOT May Not Have Authority to Buy New Space
There's another bump in road for the Illinois Department of Transportation's plan to move the Division of Traffic Safety out of Springfield. One member of the the Illinois Procurement Policy Board, a state oversight panel, says that IDOT doesn't have the legal authority to purchase a new property in Southeastern Illinois.

Blagojevich's Pilgrim Baptist Story Thrown Into Question
Elmira Mayes, the founder of the Loop Lab School, has contradicted Gov. Blagojevich's story about why her school received $1 million in state assistance that was meant to repair fire damage to the the Pilgrim Baptist Church. Blagojevich has always maintained that the money went to the school as part of an administrative error. Mayes nows contends that Blagojevich had promised her the funds.

Cook County Campaign Coffers
Cook County elected officials have reported their campaign funds as of June 30th and the Sun-Times has the full list.

Chicago Public Schools Weigh Cuts
Since Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced it will not seek a tax increase to fund operations, school management has been looking for ways to cuts costs. The Tribune reports that the schools will "raid the district's reserves by $100 million, cut hundreds of non-classroom jobs and streamline bus routes" in order to save money. The plan could change the time of day many students begin and end classes.

Surveillance Cameras in Chicago Could be Networked
A plan put forth Friday would allow the City of Chicago to tap into the feeds of private surveillance cameras operated by business and property owners (with their permission). The networked cameras could provide a near panoramic view of city activities allowing municipal authorities unprecedented ability to watch over Chicagoans. While some say the network could stop crime and save lives, civil liberties advocates are concerned about the power it grants authorities.

Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flickr user lobstar28.