'Morning Shift' #33: Death and taxes

October 24, 2012

By: Kate Dries

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View the story "'Morning Shift' #33: Death and taxes" on Storify'Morning Shift' #33: Death and taxesOn Wednesday's Morning Shift, we discuss the Palos Hills heroin summit, talk about the future of Taste of Chicago, look at taxing property to pay for services at a local level, and explore some of Chicago's best Halloween theater.Storified by · Wed, Oct 24 2012 06:17:18IMG_6413 copylara cameronFirst, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police hosted a summit on heroin in suburban Palos Hills to discuss how to handle increased cases of abuse outside the city’s borders. We learn more about what’s being done to tackle the issue.Police: heroin a growing menace in Chicago suburbsHeroin addiction has become a growing threat in suburban Chicago. In efforts to fight this increasing trend, police officials host a hero...Then, According to Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Michelle Boone, the revamped Taste of Chicago failed to turn a profit this year. WBEZ music blogger and Sound Opinions co-host Jim DeRogatis crunched the numbers.Reconfigured Taste of Chicago a financial flopFourteen weeks after it ended, city officials still can't say exactly how much money the reconfigured Taste of Chicago lost in 2012.Next, Citizen Utility Board Executive Director David Kolata hosts a press conference Wednesday detailing the “municipal aggregation” referendum. CUB says the measure could significantly change what Chicagoans pay for their electricity bills.Citizens Utility Board | Saving Money | Electric/Gas Choice | Electric ...In northern Illinois, you can choose Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), the regulated utility, to supply you with power, or go with alternati...Then, On Election Day, residents of the North River area of Chicago will be the first voters in the state to consider a binding referendum that would raise property taxes to fund area mental health services. WBEZ North Side bureau reporter Odette Yousef explains how it would work, and the Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers says why they’re pushing for the plan. Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, looks at the tradeoffs of using property taxes to fund services. To join the conversation, call 312.923.9239 or tweet using #MorningShift.North Side community pursues local mental health solution through the voteMental health advocates in Chicago’s North River area push property tax increase for expanded community mental health services.Finally, Chicago theaters are increasingly seizing upon the adult obsession with Halloween. WBEZ theater critics Jonathan Abarbanel and Kelly Kleiman pick a few of their favorites from the season. And Emily Schwartz with The Strange Tree Group explains what’s behind her “Midwestern Gothic” productions.City Lit Theater Company - Homehome * on stage * education * news and events * books on the chopping block * about usFirst Folio Theatre | The Madness of Edgar Allan PoeVoted "BEST MUSICAL" in Chicago!This "Musical Zom-com" (zombie comedy), Musical of the Living Dead is an original musical parody of classic zombie films and musical thea...