Cook County tax review worker files suit claiming wrongful firing over political dealings on the job

In a controversy arising in part from the Chicago Bears’ property tax dispute, a former worker at the Cook County tax appeal board has filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that he was fired for refusing to take part in political in-fighting. Frank Calabrese was an assessment analyst and director of communications for Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele. In his federal suit, he claims that Steele fired him after he refused her orders over the Bears’ appeal, and after he took part in an investigation of her by the Cook County Office of the Independent Inspector General. Steele […]

Bears’ electronic billboard can remain in Arlington Heights following ‘good faith’ approval

An electronic billboard towering near the former site of Arlington International Racecourse, which the Chicago Bears now owns, will stay up another year – over one village trustee’s objection, despite the town’s ban on such advertising and because it could show “good faith” as Arlington Heights continues to woo the NFL football team there. The Village Board voted 8-1 at its meeting Tuesday night to allow the team to continue to have the billboard, located on Illinois Route 53 at Northwest Highway in the northwest suburb, until June 30, 2025. Trustee Wendy Dunnington was the lone “no” vote. Initially, the […]