Prairie State Wire

National labor law attorney: Legal marijuana doesn't give employees a 'get out of jail free card'

By Angela Underwood | Jul 16, 2019

Since Illinois has become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, national labor lawyer and legal analyst Michelle Lee Flores suggests the Prairie State began to prepare for employment law issues.

Wirepoints: Pritzker's capital budget 'is madness'

By Angela Underwood | Jun 7, 2019

Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon believes Gov. J.B. Pritzker went overboard with his excessive budget for the state's infrastructure.

ICE-PAC director attacks language in abortion bill

By Angela Underwood | Jun 7, 2019

Illinois Citizens for Ethics-Political Action Committee (ICE-PAC) Executive Director David Avignone believes the authors of Senate Bill 25 wrote the state's controversial new abortion legislation with intentional opaqueness.

Palos Community Hospital OB-GYN tells Senate committee that abortion bill legalizes 'killing'

By Angela Underwood | Jun 7, 2019

In her recent testimony before the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee, Palos Community Hospital gynecologist Dr. Miriam Tierny asked how decriminalizing abortion prosecution in Senate Bill 25 is not in itself a crime.

Rauner vows to make Illinois the top state for black businesses

By Angela Underwood | Aug 14, 2018

Speaking at the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce's (ILBCC) annual gathering on Aug. 8, Gov. Bruce Rauner said he was honored to be the recipient of the 2018 Alfred A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received earlier this summer.

Harris, other lawmakers discuss bill expanding student data security

By Angela Underwood | Aug 12, 2018

Lawmakers recently discussed legislation designed to protect student data and privacy during the House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and IT Committee Hearing on Aug. 7.

Employment discrimination bill seen as necessary by some, burdensome by others

By Angela Underwood | Aug 2, 2018

While one Democratic lawmaker fights for House Bill 4572, major employer organizations say the legislation is bad for business.

Rauner signs law providing more funding for police officers and their families

By Angela Underwood | Aug 2, 2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed House BIll 5513 into law, which provides additional funds for police officers and families.

Dems, Personal PAC call for Rauner to protect HB40

By Angela Underwood | Jul 13, 2018

Regardless of allegedly violating campaign laws in favor of Democratic candidate Terra Costa Howard and sending out controversial pro-choice campaign mailers against Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard), the Personal Political Action Committee (PAC) is demanding Gov. Bruce Rauner sign a pledge to protect HB40.

State Board of Elections says Illinois votes remain safe after indictment of Russian hackers

By Angela Underwood | Jul 13, 2018

A U.S. indictment against Russian intelligence left Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBOE) Public Information Officer Matt Dietrich assuring residents their votes remain safe.

From SE Illinois News

Bills to overhaul worker's compensation in Illinois still alive despite vocal opposition

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and others recently spoke out against two eerily familiar Democrat-sponsored bills that would overhaul worker's compensation in Illinois.

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

By Angela Underwood | Jun 27, 2018

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families.

Illinois House passes changes to Medicaid

By Angela Underwood | Jun 26, 2018

GOP lawmakers debated two Medicaid bills last month before passing both with little opposition.

On eve of sexual harassment allegations, Lou Lang fought for ERA ratification

By Angela Underwood | Jun 26, 2018

Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) debated at length about ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment on May 30 only to be accused the following day of sexual harassment, leaving him to resign from his leadership role as deputy majority leader of the state House.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Breen says taxpayer-funded abortions cannot proceed without budget revenue estimate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) made it clear on the Springfield court steps Wednesday—you can’t use a taxpayer-funded budget to pay for abortions if that budget doesn't contain a revenue estimate.

From Chambana Sun

Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group touts 'groundbreaking' legislation

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After 17 meetings, the Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group is setting new standards for state-funded schools.

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

By Angela Underwood | Jun 14, 2018

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than ever.

Bill that would give AG more power pulled off House floor

By Angela Underwood | Jun 12, 2018

A bill giving Attorney General Lisa Madigan more power was postponed for consideration after only passing by two votes.

From Rock Island Today

Despite GOP's concerns, gun bill passes Senate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline) rose during the May 30 Senate floor debate and argued against a firearm bill.

Medical cannabis for short-term pain is questionable, some GOP lawmakers insist

By Angela Underwood | Jun 11, 2018

A bill allowing for temporary access to medical cannabis in order to battle the opioid epidemic is in the hands of the governor.