Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Wednesday, October 25, 2017.
- Rauner showcases new biker persona in online campaign video
Governor Bruce Rauner is launching a new biker persona for his reelection bid. To officially announce his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, Rauner posted a video of himself riding a 2008 Ultra Classic Harley Davidson around the state, according to the Sun-Times. Rauner also enlisted a fellow Harley rider, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, for another new campaign ad attacking Illinois house speaker Michael Madigan. [Sun-Times] [Tribune]
- Report: More than 160 former, banned CPS staffers working for charter, contract schools
More than 160 former Chicago Public Schools employees “caught abusing students or stealing from the school district later landed jobs in the city’s privately managed charter and contract schools, the schools inspector general has found,” according to the Sun-Times. Three of the 163 barred employees were accused of sexual abuse by students and consequently given “Do Not Hire” status by the district. [Sun-Times]
- City wants to crack down on weekend parking tickets to generate more revenue
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is encouraging the city to issue more weekend parking tickets to earn much-needed revenue. The city already issues parking tickets downtown on the weekends, which will earn around $2.6 million this year. Now the analytics-driven program will be expanded to other busy neighborhoods with hopes of earning about $4 million more a year. [Tribune]
- Municipal ID card for undocumented immigrants will cost Chicago $1 million in 2017
Plans to offer a municipal identification card for undocumented immigrants, homeless residents, young people, and people with a criminal record will cost the city $1 million in 2017, according to city clerk Anna Valencia. The cards will allow holders to ride the CTA and check out items from the Chicago Public Library system, and the city is set to start issuing them in December. Valencia said she isn’t sure how much money the ID program will cost the city in the future. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- The Bottled Blonde earned $9 million in 2016 and only a third of it came from food
The controversial Bottled Blonde bar in River North, which is in danger of losing its liquor licenses, earned $9 million in revenue from March 2016 through February 2017, “with a third of sales coming from food, 49 percent from drinks and 18 percent toward ‘table service fees’ the bar says are tied toward reserving tables at Bottle Blonde,” according to DNAinfo Chicago. The bar’s agreement with the city requires that less than 50 percent of its revenue come from alcohol sales, and city attorneys are concerned that the “table service fees” are connected to liquor bottle service fees. The Bottled Blonde’s liquor license hearing wrapped up Tuesday, and the city’s liquor commissioner will issue a final ruling in about two months. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- The Publican fires its executive chef for failing to take action over harassment
One Off Hospitality Group, the owners of the Publican restaurants, has fired executive chef Cosmo Goss for allegedly not taking action over an incident of harassment. An unnamed employee allegedly shared a “personal” and “inappropriate” photograph of a female employee with Goss and other staff members without her permission. “Throughout the investigation, it was vital for us to understand the full scope of the allegations to ensure the team member’s wellbeing and security,” One Off said in a statement. “One Off has an open-door policy, and it’s our responsibility to address instances of inappropriate workplace conduct thoroughly and with zero tolerance.” [Eater Chicago]