Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Progressive income tax in Illinois will be defeated again, IPI CEO says

By Karen Kidd | Feb 12, 2019

After years of trying -- and failing -- to replace Illinois’ flat income tax with a progressive income tax, a constitutional amendment in the state Senate is marking yet another attempt, said the founder of a Chicago-based conservative think tank in a recent newsletter.

McGlasson warns 'there will be little left after 2020' if GOP doesn't shape up

By Karen Kidd | Feb 12, 2019

The Illinois Republican Party faces a grim future if significant changes aren't made soon, according to the committeeman who this past weekend asked state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider to resign.

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Illinois GOP says Pritzker's minimum wage hike 'will bankrupt Illinois'

By Karen Kidd | Feb 8, 2019

The Illinois Republican Party this week officially added its voice to those already warning that Gov. J.B. Pritzker's minimum wage bill, passed yesterday in the Senate, will be a disaster for the state

Illinios education officials want half the state's budget, Wirepoints warns

By Karen Kidd | Jan 31, 2019

Illinois education officials are out to get half of the state's budget—and they just might—to the detriment of the state's taxpayers, according to an online Wirepoints newsletter issued earlier today.

Chicago can do better than second-worst sinkhole city, fiscal data analyst says

By Karen Kidd | Jan 31, 2019

Chicago, ranked next-to-last "sinkhole city" in a recent government fiscal data analysis group's report about the nation's most populous cities, needs to make some changes to improve its ranking, the group's chair said during a during a recent interview.

Chamber president: State should work to minimize minimum wage increase damage

By Karen Kidd | Jan 31, 2019

As Illinois's small businesses brace for the expected minimum wage increase, the Democrat-controlled government in the state should work to keep the damage to a minimum, a Chamber of Commerce official said during a recent interview.

Single-use plastic bag ban will not help, environmental risk specialist says

By Karen Kidd | Jan 31, 2019

A proposed state-wide tax on single-use plastic bags currently stalled in the Illinois Senate, along with unenacted bans on the bags, needs to remain that way, an environmental risk specialist said during a recent interview.

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IPI: FBI's secret Madigan recordings in affidavit reveal nothing new about speaker's operations

By Karen Kidd | Jan 29, 2019

Illinois's powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), earlier today revealed to be a target in the same FBI investigation that led to an extortion indictment against a Chicago alderman, is not accused of anything new, a think tank reported.

Wheatland trustee: AG Madigan failed to go after Blagojevich

By Karen Kidd | Jan 21, 2019

Former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan deferred to her father, powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and the Democratic Party by not going after Gov. Rod Blagojevich a decade ago, a Wheatland Township Board trustee said during a recent interview.

Former Kendall County GOP chair: AG Madigan should have done more

By Karen Kidd | Jan 21, 2019

Former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan could have done far more to root out public corruption, including going after Gov. Rod Blagojevich a decade ago, a prominent Kendall County Republican said during a recent interview.

Radio caller says Illinois corruption is thoroughly entrenched

By Karen Kidd | Jan 11, 2019

The resignation earlier this week of longtime Illinois House Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) is a part of "bipartisan corruption" throughout the state that Illinoisans can do nothing about but flee, a well-known conservative radio talk show caller said during a recent interview.

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State lawmakers feeling pressure to pass gas tax hike, IPI warns

By Karen Kidd | Jan 11, 2019

Springfield lawmakers are being pressured to add 20 to 30 cents to Illinois's gas tax, which could make it the highest fuel tax in the nation, a Chicago-based conservative think tank reported earlier this month.

State Rep. Lou Lang resigns from General Assembly after 30 years to become lobbyist to state lawmakers

By Karen Kidd | Jan 7, 2019

Much maligned state Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), an ally of Illinois's powerful state House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), resigned from the General Assembly earlier today after 30 years, only six months after stepping down from a leadership position over a sexual harassment scandal.