Latest News from Prairie State Wire

This week in Illinois history: Jan. 29-Feb. 4

By Justin Stoltzfus | Jan 15, 2018

Blagojevich removed from office, Illinois becomes the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment and the longest boxing match under modern rules

Fioretti slams 'out-of-control' taxation in Illinois

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 7, 2017

Bob Fioretti, who is running for Cook County Board president against Toni Preckwinkle (D-Chicago), recently spoke to "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show about a number of issues Fioretti thinks are important to residents in his area.

Attorney: Indiana DOL workplace injury, illness rate report is 'good news'

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 7, 2017

A report by Kevin Boyle, an attorney with Chicago-headquartered firm Keefe, Campbell, Biery and Associates, published a blog post Nov. 13 that offers Indiana residents an inside view into a recent nonfatal workplace injury and illness report issued by the Indiana Department of Labor.

Roskam says tax reform bill 'looks better the more you look at it'

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 4, 2017

U.S. Peter Roskam (R-IL) recently weighed in on attempts at federal tax reform during an appearance on "Chicago Morning Answer" radio program on WIND.

Insurance industry researcher says leave pension fund management to pros, not politicians

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 30, 2017

"Professionals, not politicians, should be the fiduciaries of pension funds and other state funds,” Mary Pat Campbell, insurance industry researcher at Conning Research, told Prairie State Wire.

Madigan accused of lying when he said state ethics office was 'functioning'

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 27, 2017

As debate over reforms to deal with sexual harassment complaints swirled in Springfield, House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) appears to have clouded the issue by saying the process to investigate those complaints was

Attorney sees Illinois courts inflating awards in some pension claims

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 20, 2017

Findings by Carolyn Ettelson Klein, an attorney with Chicago-based Keefe, Campbell, Biery and Associates, show that Illinois courts are likely to award firefighters the highest possible amounts in some pension claims.

Fall veto session comes to a close as lawmakers face challenges

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 17, 2017

In a busy fall veto override session, Illinois legislators overrode more than a dozen of Gov. Bruce Rauner's vetoes, nearly a third of total vetoes on record.

Midwest governors 'thank' Madigan for making their states better, Rauner ad says

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 4, 2017

Illinois appears to be something of a turkey this year that surrounding state leaders are carving up, according to a recent ad from Gov. Bruce Rauner's re-election team.

Anna hosts event honoring Vietnam War veterans

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 3, 2017

More than 100 veterans of the Vietnam War received a 50-year commemoration pin at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna recently, according to a press release.

Rauner makes Israel-Illinois connection with Tel Aviv tech agreement

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 1, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner traveled to Israel early this week to look for partnership opportunities between Illinois and Israeli universities, earning success right away with a first-time partnership with Tel Aviv University.

Attorney criticizes workers' compensation reform bills, calls them 'fake'

By Justin Stoltzfus | Oct 31, 2017

Attorney Eugene Keefe of Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates LLC has some criticism of recent Illinois workers' compensation reform bill efforts by state legislators.

Ives blasts IASB's hiring of former Lincoln-Way school board member

By Justin Stoltzfus | Oct 27, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is crying foul on the recent hiring of Dee Molinare by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).

Illinois treasurer's bond purchase called dangerous precedent

By Justin Stoltzfus | Sep 21, 2017

WirePoints founder Mark Glennon has some concerns about recent statements by Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs.

Students to be eligible for private school scholarships under new state program

By Justin Stoltzfus | Aug 31, 2017

The new public school funding bill recently passed by the Illinois Legislature includes a scholarship program that would award donated funds to students in lower-income families — up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level — so that they may attend the school of their choice.

Handful of school districts to see property tax relief under school funding bill

By Justin Stoltzfus | Aug 31, 2017

Some Illinois legislators are questioning the value of the recently passed public school funding measure, Senate Bill 1947, because of its generous benefits to Chicago and other school districts that are slated to receive targeted property tax relief.

Illinois nears online streamlining of professional certifications

By Justin Stoltzfus | Jul 29, 2017

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is nearing completion of a project that will move professional certifications online -- exactly where they belong, some state officials contend.