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Cook County looks ahead at 2024 budget, thousands of jobs remain vacant

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

CHICAGO -- It's mostly good news when it comes to the Cook County fiscal budget for 2024, however there are still a short fall that is projected.A $214.7 million surplus from a personal property replacement tax, and higher sales tax due to inflation, that expects to benefit Cook County. But heading into 2024, the county is forecasting an $85.6 million budget gap for next year.That’s partially due to a $22 million higher pension payment than this year, due to reforms at the state capitol. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle thinks that deficit can be filled without raising taxes or making layoffs. Critics becoming impatient with Mayor Johnson’s approach towards crime prevention in Chicago There are also 4,000 job vacancies, which the county says has helped in payroll savings. Many in the healthcare sector - including 700 registered nurse vacancies - which is a top priority to fill, by offering tuition reimbursement and retention bonuses.Other costs for the county include c...

How Berwyn's Brian Gutierrez joined unique MLS company in Chicago Fire FC win

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

PORTLAND — One of the promising young players on Chicago Fire FC who hails from the area had another major moment in his still young Major League Soccer career. Midfielder Brian Gutierrez, a homegrown player for the club who grew up in Berwyn, assisted on a first half goal by Fabian Herbers and the game-winner by Kei Kamara against the Timbers in Portland Wednesday night in a 2-1 victory. By doing so, Gutierrez became the tenth player in the history of MLS to record 15 assists before reaching his 21st birthday. The accomplishment came just a few days after the midfielder turned 20 and in his fourth season of play for the Fire at the top level. Lionel Messi’s MLS arrival has ticket sales, price impact on Soldier Field match vs Chicago Fire FC It marks the third time that Gutierrez has had multiple assists in a single game, doing so earlier this season against Inter Miami CF on March 25 and against FC Cincinnati on October 1, 2021.Joining the Fire Academy in 2015, Gutierrez made hi...

Ex-Proud Boy member from Aurora who stormed Capitol gets 3 years in prison

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

AURORA — A man from Aurora, who is a former member of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. James Robert Elliot, 25, must also pay $2,000 in restitution.  Oath Keeper who stormed Capitol gets more than 8 years in prison in latest Jan. 6 sentencing Elliot was indicted in December of 2021 and pleaded guilty a year later to assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. The suburban tow truck driver is married with two small children. According to court documents, at one time, he bragged about being a member of the Proud Boys. He later wrote a letter to the judge in his case saying he left the group and has moved his life in a positive direction.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesElliot's 37-month sentence is the most given to anyone from Illinois linked to Jan. 6 insurrection.

MedWatch Daily Digest: RSV vaccines for seniors, e-cigarette sales surge — and more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

For Thursday, June 22, WGN’s Dina Bair has the latest on new information, including the following: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch CDC panel recommends RSV vaccine for adults 65 & olderA virus known to infect younger children is also causing hospitalizations and deaths among older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel recommends the RSV vaccines for everyone 65 and older. The federal committee is also urging the vaccine for some adults between the age of 60-65 whose doctors feel they would benefit from the dosage. The advisory panel endorsed two RSV vaccines that should be available come fall. RSV is a common virus that typically causes flu-like symptoms. Each year, more than 60,000 older adults are hospitalized with the virus. More than 6,000 have died. E-cig monthly sales up 46% between 2020-2022The sales of e-cigarettes are way up, according to figures from the CDC.Between 2020 and 2022, sales increased by more than 46%.Units of month...

Millions of Baby Shark toys recalled over risk of 'impalement'

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A recall involving millions of baby bath toys modeled after the viral "Baby Shark" children's song was launched Thursday after reports of multiple injuries.Zuru, an El Segundo, California-based importer of the Chinese-made products, is recalling 7.5 million toys, which are sold at major retailers and online.The brightly-colored yellow, blue and pink sharks have a hard plastic top fin which make them potentially hazardous, especially in a bathtub or wading pool, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.There are two types of toys under recall, 6.5 million of the full-sized Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark Sing & Swim Bath Toy, and 1 million of the Robo Alive Junior Mini Baby Shark Swimming Bath Toy.Date code in “DGYYYY/MM/DD” format and in the date code range of DG20190501 through DG20220619 and model number “#25282” are located on the bottom of the recalled full-size toys. (CPSC)Recalled Robo Alive Junior Mini Baby Shark Swimming Toy in blue. (CPSC)Recalled Ro...

15-year-old lone gunman in Milwaukee Juneteenth celebration shooting that injured 6: police

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Officers arrested a 15-year-old boy they now believe was the lone gunman in a shooting after a Juneteenth celebration that left six people wounded, Milwaukee police said Thursday.The boy is the third person arrested in the shooting Monday outside the Greater Philadelphia Church of God in Christ. Police provided no information about the 15-year-old suspect, including why they now believe he was the lone shooter.Two males ages 17 and 19 were arrested after the shooting, police said. Both of them had been shot. Police previously believed one of them had fired a weapon, but clarified Thursday that this is no longer the case.SEE ALSO | At least 6 teens shot after Milwaukee Juneteenth celebration endsThe other four people who were wounded were girls or women ranging in age from 14 to 18 years old, police said. All six shooting victims were expected to survive.Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a fight between young women outside the church, police sa...

Nearly half of Texans not confident lawmakers did enough to fix power grid, poll says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a newly released Texas Politics Project poll, researchers found nearly half of participants said they were not confident Texas lawmakers did enough during the legislative session to increase reliability of the state's power grid moving forward. Less than 20% of Texas voters who took part in the poll said they were "very" or "extremely" confident lawmakers had done enough to keep the lights on. "There has been a very long hangover, if you will, from the impact and the experience of [the 2021] winter storm, despite the fact that for two sessions straight now, the legislature has passed legislation and put new money into attempting to both make the grid, as it exists, more resilient and to expand capacity," James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, said. ERCOT asks Texas to conserve energy Tuesday with extreme heat likely Texas Gov. Greg Abbott notably signed HB 1500 into law following the regular session, which forces several grid reforms including r...

Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez named to Team USA for Japan Series

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns freshman Viviana Martinez showed what she could do against college talent in her first season, and now she'll display it against some of the world's best.Martinez was selected to represent the United States in the 2023 Japan All-Star Series, scheduled for August 4-7 in Japan. A group of 16 collegiate softball players comprises the roster that will face the world No. 2 Japan national team in a 3-game series. Games will be held in Fukushima, Iwakuni and Yokohama, Japan, all in venues used during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersIt's the fifth consecutive year a Longhorn will put on the Stars and Stripes in international competition. Cat Osterman made a national team from 2019-21 and Janae Jefferson was on a USA roster last year.Martinez was a second-team all-Big 12 selection and one of five Longhorns to make the...

UT System Implementing New Mental Resource Program

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The University of Texas System is partnering with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform, to launch a new program that offers free virtual mental health resources to students at all 14 UT institutions, according to a news release from The UT System. The program is part of a $16.5 million investment approved by the UT Regents in 2022 to enhance student mental health and safety.Set to launch at the beginning of the fall semester in 2023, the program will offer a variety of 24/7 virtual care services, including on-demand mental health and emotional support, scheduled mental health counseling sessions, as well as a number of other mental health resources. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: University of Texas granted $612K for mental health resources In the release from the UT System, Kevin P. Eltife, chair of the UT Board of Regents, stated that they "are committed to continuous enhancements that improve student health and educational success outcomes."Data from a surve...

Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Paul perseveres, evolves post-pandemic

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:56:56 GMT

Worshipers hold hands across the aisles in prayer at Pilgrim Baptist Church during the church's 150th Anniversary service on Sunday, June 23, 2013 in St. Paul. (Sherri LaRose-Chiglo / Pioneer Press)A panoramic photo from 1928 from the opening of Pilgrim Baptist Church's current location at 732 W. Central Ave. in St. Paul. (Courtesy of Pilgrim Baptist Church)Rev. Dr. Charles L. Gill, left, , during a prayer with Minister Richard Daley, center, and Rev. Dr. Fredrick Bacon during a 150th anniversary service at Pilgrim Baptist Church on Sunday, June 23, 2013, in St. Paul. (Sherri LaRose-Chiglo / Pioneer Press)The sanctuary at Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Paul features images of its past pastors captured in its stained glass windows. Among those is Robert T. Hickman, left, a Missouri slave who came to Minnesota in the 1860's and founded the church. Also seen are Rev. Harris, center, and Rev. Massey. (Courtesy of Pilgrim Baptist Church)Pilgrim Baptist Church, established ...