Daywatch: Cook County housing authority workers say they struggle to pay bills
Good morning, Chicago.
Rachel Dubose had just bought a house and started a new full-time job at the Housing Authority of Cook County as a housing specialist, helping low-income county residents obtain and maintain their subsidized housing.
She made $40,000 a year at HACC in 2022.
Her bills piled up. While she never fell behind on her mortgage payments, her credit card debt was 'getting too out of control,' Dubose said. She started a part-time job at Walmart. Some days she would go straight from her job at HACC to Walmart until 10 p.m., having been up since 5 a.m. It 'took a toll,' she said.
Once Dubose got engaged, the dual income allowed her to stop working at Walmart. But still, after about two years, citing the high caseloads, low pay, nepotism and favoritism by managers and general 'terrible work environment,' she quit.
Dubose's struggles to pay her bills and negative experience working for HACC mirrors that of other HACC union employees who spoke with the Tribune. The employees are working without a contract and have been for about a year. The negotiations have required the parties, who will meet today, to bring in a federal mediator to try to help reach a deal, as the union says the agency won't agree to their current wage and health insurance proposals. Their demands include raising the salary floor to $40,000 for some workers.
Read the full story from the Tribune's Lizzie Kane.
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Former two-term Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Jim Edgar, who led Illinois government through a period of fiscal austerity with great positive acclaim from voters during his two terms as governor, announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Jury selection begins in Highland Park parade shooting trial
Jury selection began Monday in Lake County Court in the case of Robert Crimo III, who is charged in the mass shooting that killed seven people at the 2022 Independence Day parade in Highland Park.
At the conclusion of the day, attorneys had agreed on seven people who will eventually decide whether Crimo is guilty of first-degree murder and numerous counts of attempted murder in the attack that injured more than 40.
Chicago craft brewers expect Trump's aluminum tariffs to raise the price of a six-pack
When two northwest suburban childhood hockey pals launched Spiteful Brewing in 2012 as a post-collegiate enterprise, the business overcame long odds to grow from a stovetop startup into an award-winning craft brewery and tap room in Bowmanville.
But after successfully navigating everything from the pandemic to a flat craft brewing market that has forced several Chicago competitors to close, Spiteful faces an imminent new challenge: tariffs.
Trump says Canada and Mexico tariffs are 'going forward' with more import taxes to come
President Donald Trump has claimed that other countries charge unfair import taxes that have come at the expense of domestic manufacturing and jobs. His near constant threats of tariffs have already raised concerns among businesses and consumers about an economic slowdown and accelerating inflation. But Trump claims that the import taxes would ultimately generate revenues to reduce the federal budget deficit and new jobs for workers.
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What to know about air traffic control towers after a midair collision in Arizona prompts questions
Two small planes collided in midair over one of the runways on the outskirts of Tucson last week. One hit the ground and caught fire, sending up a plume of black smoke. The remains of two people were found in the charred wreckage. The other plane was able to land, with those occupants uninjured.
The collision was the latest aviation mishap to draw attention in recent weeks. The circumstances vary widely with each case, however, and experts who study aviation accidents say they don't see any connection between them.
Column: As Sammy Sosa returns to Chicago Cubs camp after 21 years, here are 7 spring sagas we can't forget
Sammy Sosa is expected to return to Chicago Cubs camp as a guest instructor, continuing the reunification of the former star and the organization that shunned him for more than two decades.
Sosa's arrival at old Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., was always newsworthy — usually because he was the last player there, amid one controversy or another, writes Paul Sullivan. His spring training stories are legendary and too numerous to mention, but here are some of the Sosa sagas we can't forget.
Frank Pellico looks back on 33 years as the Chicago Blackhawks organist — and closes out with 'My Way'
Frank Pellico showed no signs that his final night tickling the keyboards as the Chicago Blackhawks' organist was plucking at his heartstrings.
'I'm more antsy,' he told the Tribune moments before Sunday's home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Shortly afterward, colleagues and fans streamed into the organ room to extend congratulations on his decision to retire after 33 years.
Review: 'Waitress' at the Paramount Theatre is a charming show with songs you'll remember
'Waitress' starred Chicago's own Jessie Mueller on Broadway and is now getting its first local production at the ambitious Paramount Theatre in Aurora with Michelle Lauto in the lead role. It's a delightful piece of material centered on the female experience and based on the 2007 Adrienne Shelly movie, writes Tribune theater critic Chris Jones.
Chicago paczki guide 2025: Where to get the decadent pastries for Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday
The sweet, stuffed pastries known as paczki were once cooked as a way to get rid of any extra eggs, sugar and lard ahead of Lent. They've become a decadent tradition throughout Polish communities, and you should go out of your way to seek some out.
Fat Tuesday 2025 guide: 26 spots for Mardi Gras and Carnival specials in Chicagoland
Fat Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent, is celebrated as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnival in Brazil, but you don't need to travel to get a taste of the fun. Bars and restaurants throughout Chicago are offering food and drink specials such as king cake, seafood boils and hurricanes and hosting performances from samba dancers and brass bands.
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