Latest news with #WGNNews
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pritzker to announce reelection bid Thursday: sources
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — The most dominant figure in Illinois politics wants to stick around a while longer. Gov. JB Pritzker is running for re-election, sources tell WGN News. He's scheduled multiple campaign-style events this Thursday to kick off his campaign for a third term. The primary is next March, with the general election to follow in November. 'Illinois has never had a Democratic governor win for a third term so this would be a first. That said, Republicans have with of course the famous Big Jim Thompson.' The announcement addresses Pritzker's short-term future while questions about his national ambitions linger. If he's successful in 2026, will he run for president in 2028? 'It means he will in a couple of years have of a lot of questions from the press and people saying, 'What are you really after?' But look, he wouldn't be the first governor who is reelected and then shifts their eyes toward the presidency. That kind of thing happens every election cycle.' Pritzker sticking around avoids a Democratic party succession fight. The billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortunate has pumped at least $350 million of his own money into his and other campaigns in Illinois. The Lt. Governor, Juliana Stratton, will not be joining Pritzker seeking a third term. She's running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate where national topics are on her mind. 'Women are taking to the streets, saying it's important that we protect our reproductive freedom, but look at this: we need to restore Roe v. Wade,' she said. With Stratton eyeing federal office, Pritzker must now find a new running mate. Sources say he's come up with a shortlist that includes State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth and Deputy Governor Andy Manar. Pritzker is not expected to name his pick this week. 'Whatever he decides to announce, I'll leave that up to him,' Stratton said. 'But all I can speak to is our partnership which was, and continues to be, a partnership of deep mutual respect. I love working alongside him and I can say he's the best governor in the United States.' The Pritzker campaign has not responded to a request for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Teresa Giudice has on-air MELTDOWN when quizzed about tax bill nightmare in excruciating interview
Teresa Giudice had an on-air meltdown when she was quizzed on her tax woes during a painfully awkward interview on Friday, The Real Housewives star, 52, who along with husband Luis Ruelas was hit with millions in tax liens this year, hung up after she was asked why she 'didn't pay her taxes for years' in an incendiary moment. The interview on Chicago 's WGN News began pleasantly enough as the star was asked if she would be appearing in The Real Housewives of] New Jersey reboot, to which she responded: 'I hope. I'm the OG, yes. So we'll see what happens. You'll have to ask Bravo for that.' However, her smile soon faded as host Larry Potash quipped: 'How is it that a family doesn't pay their taxes for years?' Giudice - who served 11 months in prison for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud in 2015 - asked who he was referring to, and when Potash responded 'your family' her reaction was swift. A visibly raging Giudice then said: 'Okay, I'm done now' before fumbling to hang up her phone. In March it was revealed that reality star Giudice and Ruelas, 49, had over $3 million in New Jersey state tax liens placed on them. Tax liens are a legal claim made on a person's assets if they fail or refuse to fully pay their taxes. If they fail to pay the amount of the judgment, the government would be able to seize their assets. According to the New Jersey Courts website, Teresa owes $303,889.20 in unpaid taxes in a judgement that was entered on March 20. Luis owes several times that amount, after a judgment saying he owes $2,569,842.06 was entered on March 6. That amount is on top of an earlier lien issued on December 12, 2024, for $163,523.94 in unpaid taxes. Teresa's former husband Joe Giudice was jailed for 41 months after he plead guilty in 2014 to 41 counts of bank, mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. He also admitted to not filing a tax return from 2004 through 2008. However, her smile soon faded as host Larry Potash quipped: 'How is it that a family doesn't pay their taxes for years?' Giudice - who served 11 months in prison for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud in 2015 - asked who he was referring to, and when Potash responded 'your family' her reaction was swift She hung up as the baffled hosts laughed Following his sentence, Joe was forced to move to Italy ahead of deportation hearings. Teresa was ultimately sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Northwest Illinois man connected to CPD officer's shooting death appears in court
CHICAGO (WGN) — The man charged in the death of Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera appeared before a Cook County judge on Thursday. During a brief appearance in Cook County Criminal Court, 25-year-old Adrian Rucker's public defender got permission from the judge to move Thursday's status hearing for his client to Friday. Post-hearing, the mother and aunt of Rucker told WGN News that they still have questions for investigators concerning the June 5 incident on the city's South Side. 'We're waiting for bodycam footage,' Monique Reed, Rucker's aunt, said. Authorities said the deadly shooting unfolded shortly before 10 p.m. as CPD officers pursued Rucker, who allegedly fled from a nearby investigatory stop at an apartment near E. 82nd St. and S. Drexel Avenue. According to CPD, Rivera and another police officer chased an armed Rucker into a unit. Prosecutors say Rucker fled down a hallway and bodycam video captures the suspect pointing an AR pistol, but not firing it. 'Young, vibrant and a hard worker': CPD officer dies in South Side shooting Fallen CPD officer remembered for courage and compassion by loved ones and colleagues 'He never had a rifle,' Reed said. 'Never had a gun. No gun was found on him.' While 36-year-old Officer Rivera chased the initial suspect, the officer with her accidentally fired his weapon, striking and killing the four-year veteran of Chicago police. 'My condolences to her family, but my nephew is not responsible for her death,' Reed said. Along with serving as part of the Sixth District's tactical team, those who knew Officer Rivera remembered her as a loving mom who was known for her courage and compassion. Inside the unit on Drexel, investigators say they found three guns, suspected narcotics, and multiple fake IDs with Rucker's picture. The 25-year-old of Freeport —a town west of Rockford— faces multiple felonies, including armed violence, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal drug possession. Monique Reed says her nephew doesn't live in the apartment where the shooting occurred. 'I feel like he's being railroaded right now,' she said. 'We have his side of the story.' Court documents say the armed suspect Officer Rivera and the other officer were chasing last Thursday got away. WGN News reached out to Chicago police to learn if the department is continuing its search, but has not yet heard back. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Funeral arrangements for Officer Rivera are pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Crowds gather to protest and support Edgewater library's Pride Month event
CHICAGO — Dozens of people protested outside the Chicago Public Library in Edgewater, criticizing a Pride Month event held there on Monday morning. Hundreds of others came to counter protest, supporting the library's decision to host story time with a drag queen. Supporters used pride flags to help shield the families who were walking into the event from those protesting against it. 'We never even saw the hateful protestors, but we did see a strong showing of loving counter protestors wearing rainbow flags and trans pride flags. [They] actually chaperoned us into the front door of the library,' William Kelly said. The library promoted the event online as a special story time with books, music, and a guest drag performer. Critics argued that the event shouldn't have been held at a public library. 'When I go to a public library, whereI pay my taxes, I don't want to see a man dressed up in drag. I don't want my kid to be subject to that,' Danielle Carter Walters, the Vice President of Chicago Flips Red, said. Supporters argued that the library should have programming for everyone. 'We're talking about fun, sparkly costumes and reading some books. There are still age-appropriate books for these young children,' Asher McMaher, the Executive Director of Trans Up Front Illinois, said. The families who attended the event told WGN News that despite what was happening outside, their children had a great time. 'They enjoyed that there was a book, they enjoyed that there was some music, they enjoyed that there was some dancing… honestly, it was a really fun story time,' Kelly said. Chicago police say one person was arrested at the protest. A 48-year-old man allegedly pushed someone and tried to bite an officer, before being taken into custody. WGN News reached out to the Chicago Public Library for comment but have not heard back. They have four drag story times scheduled at different libraries in June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Perth Now
06-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Perth Now
How much this couple paid for all-inclusive cruise for 15yrs
Australians are cruise fanatics, with an estimated 1.3 million people boarding a liner this year. The average duration of a domestic cruise is eight days, which would be enough for most people. However, American couple Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen are just a few months in to a planned 15-year voyage aboard the Ville Vie Odyssey, a ship that offers guests the ability to purchase a room and explore the world for years at a time. According to during the next three years the couple will stop at 425 ports in 147 countries on board the ship spending multiple days in some ports allowing a greater amount of time to explore the exotic locations. The ship boasts a flatter hull meaning it can navigate inland water ways and rivers as well as reach locations that larger vessels cannot. For this couple the attraction lies in being able to see the world at a fraction of the cost at a time in their lives when they are no longer satisfied by things but want more experiences. 'People think we're rich but we're not. It makes financial sense and we're at the right age to do this. We're curious people,' Mr Bodin told WGN News. 'We love our new lifestyle. It's just fantastic we couldn't have wished for anything else.' The couple paid $155,000 for the cabin and spend an additional $5400 per month for meals and other on-board amenities. Documenting their adventures on their YouTube channel: Living Life On A Cruise, they are just shy of 30,000 followers.
