Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Columnist Miller on redistricting: 'The map wasn’t a real issue'

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 26, 2021

Political columnist Rich Miller argues that in winning an election, the map is only part of the reason why candidates successfully get a seat.

Butler: Public information getting harder to come by

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 26, 2021

Information is getting harder to come by during the global pandemic, according to some lawmakers and the media.

Durbin: GOP unsupportive of COVID stimulus package

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 23, 2021

Before the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill was signed into law, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that Republicans are not supporting the bill, despite Democrats supporting coronavirus relief that Republicans wanted last year, WCMY 1430 reported.

ILGOP: 'Pritzker proposes small biz tax hike'

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 22, 2021

A bill that would exclude the state from paying parking excise tax advanced out of the House Executive Committee on Wednesday, during a virtual hearing.

Bailey: 'No one in Springfield is talking about any solution'

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 22, 2021

A discussion is needed to know how Illinois can be fixed according to Primary candidate (and Senator) Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) which he has been attempting to do so over the past years.

Mendoza: Majority of the money is spoken for

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 16, 2021

While lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to work with them on the allocation of the federal funds the state is expecting to receive through the American Rescue Plan, Comptroller Susana Mendoza said these funds will be used to pay debts.

Survey shows unfavorable rating for Pritzker

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 16, 2021

The number of Illinoisans with an unfavorable view of Gov. J.B. Pritzker edges out those with a favorable view, according to a recent survey conducted by 1892 Polling.

Vaught: Mautino's committee violated state election code

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 16, 2021

The Illinois Supreme Court has recently heard the oral argument on Auditor General and former state Rep. Frank Mautino’s case, alleging him of violating state election code, filed by David W. Cooke, a Streator resident.

Fake unemployment claims still hit IDES, despite crackdown

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 13, 2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) confirmed that they have “blocked more than 1 million fake claims but haven’t yet revealed how many have slipped through or how much money has been lost,” WGN9 reported.

Pritzker at fault for sending covid funds to ‘dissolved’ companies. IL GOP says

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 13, 2021

Another can of worms has been opened after statehouse reporter Mark Maxwell reported another oversight by the Pritzker administration.

Mendoza: Any stimulus for Illinois will first pay back borrowed money

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 10, 2021

Given an approximate $5.8 billion in backlogged bills as of Monday, there might not be enough resources to cover these.

S&P changes Illinois outlook from negative to stable

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 10, 2021

Illinois’ general obligation (GO) debt outstanding was given a ‘BBB-’ long-term rating by S&P Global Ratings, revising the outlook to stable from negative, attributable to $1.259 billion GO bonds series A-C of March 2021.

Board of Education disapproves of Pritzker’s education budget

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 10, 2021

The Illinois State Board of Education officials pushed back on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to keep Illinois’ K-12 education funding flat in FY2022.

Pritzker: We consider everything and give our honor in different ways

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 10, 2021

With 1,182 new COVID-19 cases on Monday including 5 deaths reported by the Department of Health, Amy Jacobson of Morning Answer asked about the governor’s plan and metrics in raising the flag.

Circuit Court affirms lower court's granting of summary judgment against Rodriguez

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 9, 2021

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois decision of granting summary judgment against Grasiela Rodriguez has been affirmed by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court.

Pritzker signs Education and Workforce Equity Act

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 9, 2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has enacted the Education and Workforce Equity Act, HB 2170, which he signed Monday.

House GOP: "Even members of his own party won't give him the power he wants"

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 9, 2021

The governor’s political storms, some emanating from his own party, are so obvious that even the Illinois House Republicans know which way the wind blows.