Charles Selle

Gurnee

Managing Editor at Lake County News-Sun

Managing Editor Lake County News-Sun covering the area with @reporterbeth @robertkelder @abderholden @annatarkov @newssun

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Articles

Column: Individual, corporate generosity continues to thrive

2 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

It’s a rare Lake County resident who hasn’t had a package delivered to their front stoop by a FedEx driver. The founder of the global company, Fred Smith, died the other day at age 80. Smith began FedEx Corp. as Federal Express in 1978 in Memphis, which it still calls home. A former Marine Corps captain who served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, and a Yale University graduate, Smith was also a quiet philanthropist, as are many czars of industry.
Column: There’s no express route to transit cash

4 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

With summer now in full bloom, the gloom-and-doom train is pulling into the station. Will state lawmakers get on board or watch it go over the fiscal chasm? Actually, the regional mass transit system faces a fiscal abyss — an estimated $771 million shortfall for next year. That amount is only a stopgap measure; transit supporters would like to see a $1.5 billion annual investment from the state in the future.
Don't forget Cong. Barbara Jordan while celebrating Juneteenth

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

If she were alive, Texan Barbara Jordan would heartily endorse the celebration of Juneteenth, the federal holiday signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. The congresswoman has faded into history, but the impact she had on the nation shouldn’t be forgotten. Democrat Jordan, some may recall, landed a primetime television spot to deliver an opening statement on July 25, 1974 during the impeachment hearings of President Richard Nixon because of the Watergate scandal.
Column: Waukegan loses another firm to Wisconsin

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

While Gov. JB Pritzker was trying to answer inane questions from congressional Republicans last week, officials in Wisconsin were finalizing a deal to bring a top-notch Waukegan manufacturer to the Badger State. The impending move of Yaskawa America was but one in a series of recent bad jobs news for Illinois. Pritzker was among three Democratic governors summoned before the GOP-led House Committee on Oversight and Reform to defend the state’s sanctuary laws for undocumented immigrants.
Column: Pope Leo XIV honor caught in legislative gridlock

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

As the Illinois General Assembly was speeding to adjourn late last month, a Lake County lawmaker had spiritual leanings overtake his temporal duties. He introduced a bill to honor the first American pope, Leo XIV. State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Lake Barrington, filed his legislation to recognize native Chicagoan Pope Leo XIV as leader of the Roman Catholic faith.
Column: Was horse’s loss a metaphor for journalism’s future?

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

Journalism took another hit on Saturday. The big bay horse, named for the profession of reporting and editing, came in a close second at the Belmont Stakes after being the favorite. Sort of like the career many of us have chosen over the years. Close, but no cigar in the winner’s circle as the number of news operations and organizations continues to wane and lose their track records.
Column: Record budget continues Democrats’ tax-and-spend spree

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

If Illinois smokers needed a reason to quit the evils of tobacco, the legislature’s hike in the state’s tax on cigarettes has been handed to them. Or it gives them a chance to visit Kentucky and Indiana to stock up on their smoking supplies. The tax increase on anything with tobacco — cigarettes, cigars, vaping devices, snuff, chewing tobacco — is part of the rushed budget the Democratic-controlled legislature adopted last week.
Column: Waukegan should investigate aldermen’s alleged actions

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

Clout has always been a word associated with Chicago pols. Unfortunately, it looks like it has floated north into Waukegan. Fourth Ward Ald. Victor Felix has been mainly mum about claims he’s been throwing his governmental weight around over the city’s annual Viva la Independencia parade. The parade celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, and the independence of Mexico and several other Central and Latin American nations. It is planned for September.
Column: Hailstorm leads to flood of predatory contractors

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

Like sharks shadowing a watery blood trail, they sought prey in neighborhoods across Lake County. These trackers weren’t foraging for fish. Their quarry was wind and hail damage. After the squalls that blew through two weeks ago, leaving behind downed trees from wind damage, power outages in some areas and widespread hard hail, the storm-chasing sales folks were out in force.
Column: Shoppers discounted in debate over grocery tax

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Charles Selle

Just when Illinoisans thought they were getting a break from paying the highest taxes in the nation, disappointment came calling like a spring thunderstorm. After all, government can giveth and government can taketh away. That’s what’s happened to the grocery tax, which Gov. JB Pritzker touted as a tax break for Illinoisans, especially poor folks, when he signed a bill last year to repeal the state’s 1% levy on groceries. Groceries are taxed at 1.75%, with 1% returned to municipalities.