Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Bellock, Demmer commend approval of $3.5 billion health care legislation

By Angela Underwood | Mar 5, 2018

Reps. Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) and Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) praised fellow lawmakers on the House floor last week after two health-care related bills they had worked on for over six months were approved.

Syverson, Righter help move hospital assessment program bills through Senate

By Angela Underwood | Mar 1, 2018

Sens. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) added their voices in support of a pair of Senate bills that had to pass together for the federal authorization of $3.5 billion needed to maintain the Illinois Hospital Assessment Program ending in June.

State election board chief says cybersecurity threat is real

By Angela Underwood | Feb 28, 2018

Steve Sandvoss, the executive director of the Illinois State Board of Elections, said the threat to cybersecurity in Illinois in the upcoming election is very real.

GOP House members say Democrat peers using Florida shooting for political gain

By Angela Underwood | Feb 28, 2018

Four GOP House members made it clear the Parkland School shooting in Florida should not be why gun bills pass in Springfield.

Senate panel backs gun-related bills involving Tannerite, FOID cards in abuse cases

By Angela Underwood | Feb 23, 2018

Sens. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) discussed two gun-related bills proposed by Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) before the two measures were approved at Wednesday's meeting of the Senate Executive Committee.

Ballot question on recreational use of marijuana clears Senate panel

By Angela Underwood | Feb 22, 2018

Sens. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) and Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) shared their thoughts on the legalization of marijuana for recreational use during Wednesday’s meeting of the Senate Executive Committee.

Andersson, Bellock address adolescent mental health care at committee hearing

By Angela Underwood | Feb 21, 2018

Rep. Steven Andersson (R-Geneva) and Rep. Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) made it clear changing the way the state addresses adolescent mental health is a must.

GOP lawmakers pleased with budget address

By Angela Underwood | Feb 14, 2018

Republican lawmakers reacted to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget address Wednesday using the word balanced as much as the state leader.

Ives and Skillicorn find fault with Rauner's budget address

By Angela Underwood | Feb 14, 2018

In Wednesday’s 2018 budget address, Gov. Bruce Rauner said it is possible for Illinois to become the economic powerhouse of the Midwest.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Call for Madigan to step down as House speaker comes from both sides of aisle

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

There is no partisan politics when it comes to sexual harassment, according to Reps. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) and Scott Drury (D-Highwood).

Medium o illinois capitol building facebook

Governor's Office of Management and Budget director questioned by GOP committee members

By Angela Underwood | Feb 12, 2018

Hans Zigmund, new director of Gov. Bruce Rauner's Office of Management and Budget, had some explaining to do to three Republican lawmakers.

Four GOP senators press state education board on school funding delays

By Angela Underwood | Feb 8, 2018

Four Republican senators made it clear to Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) officials how upset they were with the school funding holdup at Tuesday's Senate Education Committee hearing on the SB650 Mandate Waiver.

GOP lawmakers mixed on Rauner's State of the State address

By Angela Underwood | Feb 1, 2018

Illinois Republicans' reviews of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address were mixed with optimism and concern.

Ives calls out Springfield on ethics complaints

By Angela Underwood | Jan 31, 2018

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) had something to say Wednesday before Gov. Bruce Rauner's before the State-of-the-State speech.

Ives casts doubt on pension reform proposal

By Angela Underwood | Jan 31, 2018

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) was not pleased with a proposed pension reform plan that includes selling pension obligation bonds presented to her Tuesday at a House Personnel & Pensions Committee hearing.

Rothheimer calls out inspector general for report on harassment complaint

By Angela Underwood | Jan 29, 2018

Denise Rotheimer said Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter’s report on allegations that Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) sexually harassed her is a false narrative filed with victim blaming.

Illinois Farm Bureau in favor of industrial hemp production

By Angela Underwood | Jan 11, 2018

Bill Bodine, the Illinois Farm Bureau's associate director of state legislation, supports the production, processing, commercialization and utilization of industrial hemp.

Durbin challenges Rauner to solve Quincy Veterans Home's problem with Legionnaires' Disease

By Angela Underwood | Jan 5, 2018

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said he has asked Gov. Bruce Rauner to come up with a better plan to protect servicemen at the Quincy Veterans Home from an ongoing outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease.

Election board lottery puts Pritzker in top spot on Democratic primary ballot

By Angela Underwood | Dec 13, 2017

The Illinois State Board of Elections (IBOE) held its lottery Wednesday to determine ballot position for the March 20 primary for candidates who submitted petitions simultaneously on Nov. 27, the first day of filing. Based on the lottery results, J.B. Pritzker will be the first gubernatorial candidate listed on the Democratic ballot.