Prairie State Wire

From Chicago City Wire

Pritzker accused of throwing low, middle class under the bus

By Caitlin Nordahl | 6 years ago

The Illinois Republican Party slammed J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat vying to become governor, for what they called an inadequate response to a report condemning the performance of Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios.

From Chicago City Wire

Democrats, Madigan backing Pritzker to control redistricting, state GOP says

By Caitlin Nordahl | 6 years ago

In response to several recent lawmaker endorsements of J.B. Pritzker in his bid to become governor, the Illinois Republican Party is accusing House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and his supporters of pushing Pritzker for his ability to bankroll campaigns and help Democrats control redistricting.

Watchdogs: Property assessors in 36 counties not qualified to hold office

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 19, 2017

Fifty-five property assessors in 36 counties are unqualified for office or did not properly file their paperwork to run for office, according to a recent report from the Edgar County Watchdogs.

BGA’s Shaw: Local government consolidation would save tax money, improve lives

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 18, 2017

Better Government Association (BGA) President and CEO Andy Shaw is hopeful the tide is finally turning against Illinois’ many and overlapping units of government, according to a recent opinion piece published on the group’s website.

Illinois Policy Institute CEO highlights group's work in 2017

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 18, 2017

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman recently reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to uprooting the state’s current political system in a message to supporters highlighting the organization’s work over the past year.

GOP lawmakers heading to court to block bill that funds abortions

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 18, 2017

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and several other Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion organizations will argue against the implementation of House Bill 40, which increases public funding for abortions, in court on Dec. 28, according to a report from Illinois News Network.

Illinois GOP slams Berrios, Madigan for 'shameful practices' regarding assessments

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 13, 2017

The Illinois Republican Party slammed Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) for the county’s property tax assessment system following a recent Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois report exposing its problems.

Ives slams Rauner during appearance on southern Illinois radio show

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 12, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who is vying for the Republican nomination for governor, recently criticized Gov. Bruce Rauner’s performance and vowed to focus on Illinois’ fiscal situation if elected during an appearance on southern Illinois' Newsradio WJPF with Tom Miller.

IL GOP raises question of Pritzker’s support for Blagojevich appeal for early release

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 11, 2017

The Illinois Republican Party is questioning whether Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker supports efforts of some of his supporters to see former Gov. Rod Blagojevich released from prison early, according to a recent release from the GOP.

Illinois lost 86,000 people, $4.75 billion to other states in 2015-16, Illinois Policy Institute says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 11, 2017

New data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shows that Illinois had a net loss of approximately 86,100 people to other states between 2015 and 2016, a record high according to an analysis from the Illinois Policy Institute.

Ives cites Steinle case in criticizing Rauner for signing sanctuary state bill

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 6, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who has filed to run for governor in the GOP primary, recently criticized Gov. Bruce Rauner and sanctuary city legislation in a statement spurred by the verdict in the Kate Steinle murder trial.

Lawmakers need to do more to prevent harassment, Better Government Association director says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

The Better Government Association’s (BGA) Madeleine Doubek recently penned a scathing piece for the group’s website on Illinois lawmakers’ efforts to stem sexual harassment and other ethical breaches in the General Assembly.

Bulk of state's $750 million bond issue to fund major construction projects

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

Illinois issued $750 million worth of general obligation bonds this week at an all-in borrowing cost of 4.29 percent, according to a Nov. 29 release from the state.

Illinois' congressional Republicans defend tax reform bill

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

The Republican members of the Illinois congressional delegation recently penned a response to criticisms of the House tax reform bill from Democrat Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, according to a release.

Republican candidates to take part in forum

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

A slate of conservative candidates running for Illinois public offices will be on hand Thursday during a Republican candidate forum co-hosted by the Northwest Side GOP Club and the Republicans of Maine Township.

Rauner applauds lawmakers' efforts to curb sexual harassment

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently applauded the General Assembly for passing legislation to address mounting concerns over sexual harassment and the handling of sexual harassment complaints in Springfield, a release from his office said.

Ives slams Rauner for 'sanctuary state' legislation

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) recently issued a statement slamming Gov. Bruce Rauner for signing legislation making Illinois a “sanctuary state,” contrasting his support with the position of Virginia's Democratic Gov.-Elect Ralph Northam.

Illinois moves to new open data management platform

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

The state of Illinois recently moved to an open data management platform, in line with state law and an executive order from Gov. Bruce Rauner, that will make it easier for residents to engage with government data, according to a release.

Questions raised by items in Rauner campaign filings

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign filings show that the campaign has returned more than $50,000 to the state of Illinois over the past three years, according to an analysis by a citizen government oversight group, raising questions about where the funds came from.

Harold says 16,000 signed her petitions for attorney general run

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Attorney general candidate Erika Harold said she recently filed her candidacy petitions, on which she gathered significantly more than the minimum number of signatures required to be eligible for the Republican primary ballot.