(The Center Square) – Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez says the Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy defied legal proceedings to distribute sealed documents that contain unsubstantiated claims made during divorce proceedings in 2012.
Although DuPage County Judge Robert E. Douglas ordered the documents to be unsealed last month, Sigcho-Lopez said in a press release sent to The Center Square that he would not be stopped from exposing the powerful, monied interests that target anyone who speaks out against Israeli genocide and the billionaire class.
Sigcho-Lopez said he would continue to be “the pro-Israel lobby’s worst nightmare.”
UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS, PAYROLLS RISE
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in July, down -0.2 percentage point from June, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The revised June unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls increased by 11,700 to 6,176,400, a record high.
The industry sector with the largest gain in monthly payroll jobs was private education and health services, with an increase of 6,200.
STATE OFFERS DISASTER WAIVERS OF TAX PENALTIES AND INTEREST
State of Illinois officials say taxpayers in areas covered by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s disaster proclamation for summer 2026 storms can seek a waiver of penalties and interest for taxes.
Taxpayers seeking a waiver are asked to send a brief written explanation to IDOR regarding why they cannot file timely or pay. Requests may be submitted electronically to REV.DisasterRelief@Illinois.gov.
IDOT ACCEPTS PARATRANSIT GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Illinois Department of Transportation is accepting applications for grants to provide public transportation providers and eligible nonprofit organizations with paratransit vehicles.
Through its Consolidated Vehicle Procurement program, IDOT purchases accessible paratransit vehicles on behalf of eligible recipients using various federal funding sources. The deadline to apply is Sept. 21.
