Illinois quick hits: Arson Awareness Week; invasive tick found; tips for pets and cicadas

Arson Awareness Week

Advocates, legislators push for $140 million to fund violence prevention

(The Center Square) – The Reimagine Public Safety Act calls for a comprehensive approach to reducing violent crime through targeted community investments. Advocates and violence prevention groups gathered in Springfield recently to push for $140 million.

Teachers union demands big raises, time off, paid transit

(The Center Square) – Big pay raises and more days off are on the table for teachers in Chicago Public Schools.

UCLA finally asks for FBI help — but to investigate pro-Israel supporters

UCLA has reached out to the FBI as part of its investigation into a group of pro-Israel counter-protesters who allegedly attacked an anti-Israel campus encampment last week.

UNC-Chapel Hill responds after professors threaten to withhold students' grades to support anti-Israel rioters

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is urging professors not to withhold students’ final grades amid an apparent protest to do so in "solidarity" with anti-Israel students.

Wife of California man accused of driving family off cliff wants to salvage their relationship: report

California man Dharmesh Patel, accused of driving his family off a cliff, wants to receive mental health treatment instead of prison time, and his wife reportedly agrees.

Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes

Phoenix, Arizona, established a program to streamline building permits for certain projects. It has seen results. It could help Illinois’ drop in housing permits.

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

Why did SB 2412 need to pass on May 2, in the middle of the election cycle, weeks after the primary election but still well ahead of the November general election? Many candidates had already started the complicated process of petition gathering and paperwork under the old rules. What justifies changing those rules in the middle of the game?

Chicago Teachers Union wants leave so teachers can work for CTU Foundation, Mayor Johnson

CTU’s contract demands include leave time for Chicago Public Schools employees to work for the union’s non-profit organization and accept city government appointments, including from former CTU staffer Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Chicago Teachers Union demands 130M free rides

The Chicago Teachers Union has 142 pages of demands for its next contract. They include free mass transit for all students and employees in the Chicago Public Schools. That’s as many as 130.3 million free CTA tickets that could cost as much as $122.5 million.