Kerry Lester
Center for Illinois Politics
Chicago, IL, United States
Contact Kerry
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Kerry:
The up-for-grabs wards that could make or break a runoff for Preckwinkle, Lightfoot
As two African-American women face off in a bid to be Chicago’s next mayor, history has been made. Whether Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle or former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot ultimately prevails in the April 2 runoff depends not only on support from their respective South and North Side power bases, but also on a handful of the city’s 50 wards that appear to be up for grabs.… → Read More
14 of the best known leaders from Illinois
The Gettysburg Address. Hull House. The nation's first African American president -- and first lady. All of these are due to Illinois' bumper crop of political figures and politicians, who represent a diverse range of viewpoints and contributions throughout American history. → Read More
College of DuPage, Breuder appear in Appellate Court today
Three U.S. Appellate Court justices are scheduled to hear Tuesday morning oral arguments over whether former College of DuPage President Robert Breuder's contract was valid at the time of his October 2015 firing by the board of trustees. → Read More
Lester: IMSA's Torres shares story of hurricane help in Puerto Rico
Illinois Math and Science Academy President Jose Torres was drawn to Puerto Rico in Hurricane Maria's aftermath to check on family, columnist Lester writes. But his three-week stay came to involve a variety of cleanup efforts, which included working for the island's Department of Education, helping displaced students to settle into stateside schools. → Read More
Lester: Arlington Heights officials interested in tuk-tuks
Oversized electric golfcarts that have become a popular form of shuttle transportation in Naperville could be coming to Arlington Heights soon. → Read More
Suburban lawmaker says anti-harrassment effort needs to 'name names'
A suburban lawmaker is refusing to take part in any additional sexual harrassment training unless the women behind an effort to change the culture at the state Capitol start naming perpetrators. → Read More
A boon if suburbs land 'Amazon HQ2' but mass challenges follow success
If Amazon lands in the suburbs, its 50,000 employees drawing high salaries would be a huge boon. And if Schaumburg or Oak Brook win the contest to host the retail giant, huge challenges -- transportation, infrastructure and creating the "urban environment" the Seattle company loves -- await. → Read More
Lester: Abortion rights PAC calls on Rauner to recruit moderates
The leader of a reproductive rights organization says it plans to use Gov. Bruce Rauner's signing of abortion legislation to defeat suburban Republicans who opposed him on the measure, columnist Kerry Lester writes. Plus, a big win for a tiny but fierce Palatine team, new projects around the suburbs, and more. → Read More
Lester: Kirk criticizes Naperville company for Iran business
Sen. Mark Kirk comes out of retirement to join an Iran sanctions fight involving a company in Naperville, Choose DuPage bids for Amazon headquarters, and more in Kerry Lester's column. → Read More
District 15 strike ruling on nurses, aides could set precedent
An expert on the state's labor relations laws says Palatine Township District 15's success in asking a judge to prohibit teachers aides and nurses from striking could prompt other districts to try the same legal maneuver. → Read More
Lester: Will new tax credits keep more Catholic schools from closing?
The Archdiocese of Chicago looks to a private-school tax credit to help slow enrollment declines. Plus, suburban lawmakers lead an effort to repeal an abortion bill just signed by Gov. Rauner; a local lawmaker escapes wine country fires; and why pumpkins shouldn't be tossed in landfills. → Read More
Why the Cook County soda tax failed
How a few outnumbered Republicans, a big industry coalition and some unlikely allies won a Cook County soda tax repeal. → Read More
Cook County Soda tax dumped; Preckwinkle blames 'tax fatigue'
Cook County's penny-per-ounce tax on soda and sugary drinks has been repealed and won't be collected starting Dec. 1. → Read More
Soda tax dumped; Preckwinkle blames repeal on 'tax fatigue'
Cook County's penny-per-ounce tax on soda and sugary drinks has been repealed and won't be collected starting Dec. 1. → Read More
Early 15-1 vote to repeal soda tax; tax marijuana instead?
Cook County commissioners leading the charge to repeal the much-maligned sweetened beverage tax are grappling with how to make up the money, with one suggesting legalizing and collecting fees from recreational marijuana instead. The repeal was sent to Wednesday's full county board on a 15-1 vote. → Read More
Commissioners vote 15-1 in committee to repeal soda tax
Cook County commissioners leading the charge to repeal the much-maligned sweetened beverage tax are grappling with how to make up the money, with one suggesting legalizing and collecting fees from recreational marijuana instead. The repeal was sent to Wednesday's full county board on a 15-1 vote, which Democratic Commissioner Larry Suffredin of Evanston voting to keep the tax in place. → Read More
Walker to run for his former House seat
Former Democratic state Rep. Mark Walker of Arlington Heights said Monday he plans to make a bid for his old House seat that's being vacated by Republican David Harris. → Read More
Soda tax expected to be repealed by near-unanimous margin
Cook County Board commissioners are expected to repeal the deeply unpopular penny per ounce sweetened beverage tax this week by a near unanimous margin, a process which begins with a key finance committee vote on Tuesday. → Read More
Lester: Is Illinois GOP uniting in opposition to Rauner, abortion?
State Rep. Jeannie Ives of Wheaton says the state GOP, criticized in recent months for its internal squabbles, is banding together in opposition to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's approval of an abortion funding measure last month., columnist Kerry Lester writes. Plus, a look at a high school football team's approach to kneeling protests, and more. → Read More
Kenneka Jenkins' death ruled accidental; alcohol, drug found in system
Kenneka Jenkins had consumed alcohol and a drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines, which could have hastened her death from hypothermia in a Rosemont hotel freezer, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office ruled. → Read More