Funding

Higher Court to Decide Fate of Controversial Chicago Ballot Referendum on Funding for the Unhoused

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Chicago, IL – The legal battle over a ballot referendum aimed at providing funding for the unhoused population is escalating as the case moves to a higher court. Last Friday, a circuit court judge declared the question unconstitutional, but the city is now seeking to overturn that ruling. The dispute centers around the Bring Chicago Home referendum, which has faced opposition from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). BOMA filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Elections to remove the referendum from the ballot. The three-part referendum asks voters to consider increasing the … Read more

Chicago Appeals Judge’s Ruling on Real Estate Transfer Tax Increase for Homelessness Funding

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Chicago, Illinois – The city of Chicago is preparing to challenge a recent ruling by Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Burke that struck down a proposal by Mayor Brandon Johnson to increase the real estate transfer tax on high-end property sales. The mayor’s plan aimed to generate $100 million annually in revenue to combat homelessness. Following the judge’s declaration that the binding referendum on the tax increase was invalid, the city swiftly filed a motion requesting a stay on the ruling while it appeals. In its motion, the city argues that there is a substantial case … Read more

Jamaal Bowman’s Campaign Threatens Defamation Lawsuit Over False Accusation of Hamas Funding

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City & State NY reported that the campaign for Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y) is considering a defamation lawsuit against his opponent, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, over an accusation that Bowman received money from Hamas. A lawyer representing the Bowman campaign sent a letter to the Latimer campaign demanding a retraction of the false accusation. The letter states that the accusation is a violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act and could be considered defamation. According to the Black Westchester magazine, Latimer made the accusation while speaking at an event where he was questioned about … Read more

Funding Withdrawn Amidst Controversy: Nonprofit Advocate for Syringe Services Faces Setback

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BOLIVAR, Pennsylvania – Kim Botteicher, the executive director of a nonprofit service provider in Westmoreland County, is advocating for a change in Pennsylvania laws to allow syringe services. Botteicher’s organization recently lost $150,000 in opioid settlement funding from county officials after she went public with her support for syringe services. Despite the loss of funding, Botteicher remains committed to her work in addiction and recovery, and she believes that expanding syringe services is crucial. However, Pennsylvania’s drug paraphernalia law poses a challenge, as it makes it difficult for opioid settlement money to directly support syringe … Read more