Illinois could soon become the fifth U.S. state to "ban the box" that inquires about criminal history on initial applications for most private sector jobs.
The state House recently voted 63-53 to approve the "Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act," which would require private employers or employment agencies in Illinois with 15 or more employees to evaluate an applicant's skills and qualifications before asking about criminal history. Under the measure, sponsored by State Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan), employers would be allowed to conduct background checks and request conviction information from applicants, but not until later in the interviewing process.
Last week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the population of food deserts in Chicago declined 21 percent over the past two years thanks to 15 new grocery stores, additional farmers markets and more produce carts. But those working on the ground to combat food-access issues in Chicago say the new numbers are not as sweet as they appear.
Dozens of South Shore residents weren’t too happy upon learning that a portion of their property taxes
have been used as part of the city’s tax increment financing, or TIF, program.
Tom Tresser, co-founder of the CivicLab, came to the 7th Ward, and is heading to others, as part of the volunteer-based TIF Illumination Project, which is intended
to promote TIF transparency and provide Chicago residents with a
snapshot of what the program is — or isn’t — doing for their communities.
“I
can’t believe that it’s so much money that’s out there that the
community does not know about that’s not channeling back into our
community, especially with all the schools closing,” Renita Jones, a
South Shore resident of more than 14 years, said after Saturday's
meeting.
Illinois could soon become the fifth U.S. state to "ban the box" that inquires about criminal history on initial applications for most private sector jobs.
Dozens of South Shore residents weren’t too happy upon learning that a portion of their property taxes
have been used as part of the city’s 