Prairie State Wire

From SE Illinois News

Righter and House GOP members question Firearms Restraining Order Act

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and some state representatives had a slew questions during a new firearm act debate.

Gun legislation moves through House despite GOP opposition

By Angela Underwood | Jun 11, 2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto to reinstate the death penalty and impose a three-day waiting period on gun purchases was fervently debated in the House.

Ives, Reick make it clear that more school funding means more property taxes

By Angela Underwood | Jun 9, 2018

GOP lawmakers expressed concern that property taxes will continue to rise in an effort to further school funding during a recent House Appropriation Elementary & Secondary Education Committee Hearing.

Despite GOP concerns, graduate research assistants one step closer to being able to unionize

By Angela Underwood | Jun 7, 2018

A bill to amend the Illinois Labor Relations Act to allow graduate research assistants to unionize concerned three GOP lawmakers during the May 30 House floor debate.

From Chicago City Wire

Phillips suggests making Chicago its own state

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston) said Chicago should be its own state.

Critics say new budget will continue hurting Illinois taxpayers

By Angela Underwood | Jun 5, 2018

Illinois lawmakers may have passed a timely budget for the first time in years, but that doesn’t mean it is good, according to some critics.

Despite Senate raving about $38.5 billion bipartisan budget for FY2019, the numbers don't add up

By Angela Underwood | Jun 4, 2018

The $38.5 billion budget passed without a revenue estimate is not what it seems.

GOP fails to keep vetoed bill from going back to governor's desk

By Angela Underwood | Jun 4, 2018

A bill vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be going back to his desk.

Loan bill unites both sides of the aisle in the House

By Angela Underwood | Jun 4, 2018

A money-saving idea found favor with both parties during the May 29 House floor debate.

Breen and Bellock question partisan task force

By Angela Underwood | Jun 2, 2018

During the May 28 House floor debate, state Reps. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) wanted to know why a Democrat-proposed task force was clearly partisan in membership.

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | Jun 2, 2018

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.

Several GOP lawmakers reject bill that would prevent state from reversing local districts' denial of charter schools

By Angela Underwood | Jun 1, 2018

Allowing local school districts to deny charter school applications is not ideal, according to three GOP lawmakers.

Lang resigns as House Deputy Majority Leader after being accused of sexual harassment

By Angela Underwood | May 31, 2018

After being accused of sexual harassment by activist Maryann Loncar today -- and a day after he helped pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the state House -- Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) resigned from his leadership role as deputy majority leader.

16 GOP lawmakers argue against progressive income tax in Illinois

By Angela Underwood | May 31, 2018

Sixteen Republican state representatives stood to oppose a progressive income tax.

McCarter raises concerns over clarity of language in wage claim measure

By Angela Underwood | May 30, 2018

Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) said a line must be drawn when it comes to wage claim penalties.

Dixon officer who prevented school shooting honored by Rauner

By Angela Underwood | May 30, 2018

Wednesday is officially Officer Mark Dallas Day in Illinois.

After heated debate and vote, D’Amico postpones drone bill for consideration

By Angela Underwood | May 30, 2018

A heated debate over drones May 25 had the full attention of the House, with almost a dozen Republican lawmakers arguing the proposal.

GOP lawmakers demand separate budget for taxpayer-funded abortions

By Angela Underwood | May 29, 2018

On the brink of passing a budget, almost a dozen GOP lawmakers gathered for a last-minute press conference rejecting tax-subsidized abortions.

Illinois gaming legislation to allow for more gambling stuck in committee

By Angela Underwood | May 28, 2018

State Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) had the House Executive Committee’s full attention Monday over non-riverboat gaming legislation.

From West Central Reporter

GOP officials fight against getting rid of prisoner co-pay

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Teaching incarcerated individuals responsibility and being fair to Illinois taxpayers are key, according to Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford).