Prairie State Wire

Senate OKs $800 million in raises for health care workers while state is billions of dollars in debt

By Angela Underwood | May 1, 2018

With billions of dollars in unpaid bills, and CNN claiming Illinois could become America’s first ‘junk’ state, the Senate passed a $819 million bill to increase employee wages.

GOP legislators say health care bill would restrict governor

By Angela Underwood | May 1, 2018

GOP lawmakers fought against a Democratic sponsored bill that would tie the hands of Gov. Bruce Rauner in applying for federal waivers regarding health care coverage.

House backs greater transparency in meeting postings, rejects measure aimed at school district statements

By Angela Underwood | Apr 30, 2018

Open and transparent government was a priority for Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) and Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) during House debate April 20.

GOP lawmakers join gun-rights advocates at Springfield rally

By Angela Underwood | Apr 30, 2018

GOP lawmakers and thousands of Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) members rallied last week for gun rights in front of the Capitol in Springfield.

GOP lawmakers demand budget revenue estimate from Democrats

By Angela Underwood | Apr 30, 2018

GOP legislative leaders want a budget revenue estimate introduced and certified by the Democrats now.

House backs bill to prohibit governor's office from paying its employees from other agencies' budgets

By Angela Underwood | Apr 30, 2018

The House voted 110-0 on April 19 to approve legislation to end offshore staffing accounts in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office.

General Assembly doesn't need to be involved in generic drug pricing, Reick says

By Angela Underwood | Apr 27, 2018

The price of prescription drugs is not the General Assembly’s business, according to Rep. Steven Reick (R-Woodstock).

Wheeler says Blue Collar Jobs Act is aimed at aiding middle-class

By Angela Underwood | Apr 26, 2018

The Blue Collar Jobs Act, HB5864, will give middle-class families a fighting chance by creating jobs, according to Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego).

House backs bill allowing medical marijuana to be administered on school grounds

By Angela Underwood | Apr 24, 2018

GOP lawmakers helped push a bill through the House that allows medical marijuana be administered on school premises.

House sends 'good' bill changing pawnbroker law back to Senate

By Angela Underwood | Apr 23, 2018

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) said sending good bills back to the House is nothing new for the Senate during House debate April 17.

Wheeler makes plea for change in Sex Offender Registry law

By Angela Underwood | Apr 23, 2018

Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) wasn't afraid to let her feelings show at the April 17 House Judiciary Criminal Committee hearing on HB816, which would amend the Sex Offender Registry statue to allow judges to use their discretion to add the name of a person convicted of sexually motivated battery to a statewide registry.

GOP lawmakers love the idea of transparency, but question statewide pension hearing broadcast proposal

By Angela Underwood | Apr 23, 2018

Broadcasting retirement system or pension fund hearings in real time and archiving the recorded video on a website for public access is a great idea, but not necessarily feasible to some GOP lawmakers.

Serious questions about skirting federal law fails to derail Excellence Fund legislation in House

By Angela Underwood | Apr 23, 2018

HB4237, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) to alter the Illinois Excellence Fund, would seemingly undermine the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions placed on charitable contributions by the federal government and hamper private scholarship funding donations, according to some GOP lawmakers.

Breen raises concerns during floor debate over cash basis accounting

By Angela Underwood | Apr 23, 2018

While debating with Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights), Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) said that lawmakers certainly don’t want to hide pension liabilities under any circumstances.

Two GOP press conferences in one day demand end to gerrymandering

By Angela Underwood | Apr 19, 2018

House Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said gerrymandering must end now.

McConchie says SB 2670 would put property tax power back in public's hands

By Angela Underwood | Apr 18, 2018

Senate Bill 2670 will provide Illinois residents with the power to help control their property taxes, according to state Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorne Woods).

GOP Senators say enough is enough with graduated income tax proposal

By Angela Underwood | Apr 18, 2018

Seven Republicans took the podium at an impromptu press conference to reject yet another Democrat imposed tax hike.

Rep. Spain works with Democrats to stop unfair map redistricting

By Angela Underwood | Apr 18, 2018

Gerrymandering gives way to unfair party control, according to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).

From Rock Island Today

McCombie calls on legislature to put public safety above politics and pass the Pam Knight Bill

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) pleaded with the public to call on their legislators to pass public safety legislation that was shot down due to Democrats.

Lawmakers warn bill requiring pension fund hearings to be broadcast, while admirable, will be a tough sell

By Angela Underwood | Apr 17, 2018

Sponsored by Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Champaign), HB4413 mandates retirement system or pension fund hearings be aired in real time and suggests archiving the recorded video on a website for public access.