Prairie State Wire

GOP lawmakers seek to suspend automatic voter registration until glitch is addressed

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 23, 2020

Illinois state Senate and House Republicans gathered at a press conference on Wednesday to discuss concerns with the state's automatic voter registration (AVR) program.

Harmon is named new Illinois Senate President

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 21, 2020

The Illinois Senate elected Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) as its next president after former Senate President John J. Cullerton resigned on Sunday.

Lobbying reform commission hears opinions from local officials

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 21, 2020

The Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform recently spent several hours listening to officials from city, county and state agencies regarding the possibility of stricter restrictions on lobbying activity.

From McLean County Times

GOP members of property tax task force voice their frustrations

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) told a press conference last week that House Republicans will continue to fight for property tax reform despite the failed efforts of the Property Tax Relief Task Force recently assembled by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

From Will County Gazette

House Republicans grow increasingly frustrated with farce of a property tax task force

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) held a press conference this week to discuss the legislation's failure to make any real progress toward property tax relief.

Experts debate Illinois' progressive tax proposal

By Kyla Asbury | Nov 24, 2019

Two Illinois tax experts took part in a debate last week at the Union League Club in Chicago to discuss the progressive tax proposal that will be on the ballot in 2020.

House Republicans dismayed by lack of progress on ethics reform

By Kyla Asbury | Nov 23, 2019

Following a spate of corruption charges and ongoing investigations revolving around Democratic state lawmakers, several House Republicans publicly voiced their concerns before the end of the veto session last week about the urgent need for ethics reform to restore Illinoisans' trust in the General Assembly.

From McHenry Times

Only one side of the aisle showing a sense of urgency on ethics reform, McConchie, Butler say

By Kyla Asbury | 6 years ago

Illinois state Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) recently held a press conference to stress the urgency of ethics reform in a state government that seems to have misplaced its moral compass.

Americans for Prosperity-Illinois urges passage of License to Work Act

By Kyla Asbury | Nov 8, 2019

Americans for Prosperity-Illinois (AFP-IL) recently held a press conference to show its support for a senate bill that would end the practice of suspending state motorists' driver's licenses for non-driving offenses.

Senate GOP Caucus weighs ethics legislation in wake of corruption charges

By Kyla Asbury | Nov 8, 2019

The Illinois Senate Republican Caucus recently held a press conference to discuss ethics legislation filed last week.

House committee favorably reports controversial EtO bill to House

By Kyla Asbury | Nov 5, 2019

The Illinois House Energy and Environment Committee voted to favorably report to the House floor a bill to phase out the use of ethylene oxide (EtO) in sterilization processes.

Vaping advocates urge lawmakers to oppose ban on flavored liquids

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 28, 2019

Pro-vaping groups and small business owners held a press conference last week to share their opposition of possible legislation that would ban flavored liquids for e-cigarettes.

Senate committee hears testimony on diversity in pension funds

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 28, 2019

The Illinois Senate Special Committee on Pension Investments heard testimony last week from several pension fund boards on what they were doing to increase diversity within their own ranks and the firms with which they invest.

Panel testifies on ethylene oxide emissions before House committee

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 20, 2019

The Illinois House of Representatives' Energy and Environment Committee recently heard testimony regarding the regulation of ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions and this year's earlier closing of the Sterigenics medical-device sterilization plant in Willowbrook.

Illinois 'pension funds are doomed,' says Taxpayers United of America president

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 20, 2019

Taxpayers United of America President Jim Tobin recently told a press conference that there is no way Illinois will be able to cover the state's massive pension liability without drastically changing strategies right away.

Illinois House committee hears testimony on possible flavored-vaping ban

By Kyla Asbury | Sep 28, 2019

The Illinois House of Representatives' Mental Health Committee heard testimony this week about a possible ban on flavored liquids for e-cigarettes.

Panel of experts discusses Illinois pension reform

By Kyla Asbury | Sep 17, 2019

The City Club of Chicago held a panel last week to discuss the state's pension crisis and how to fix it.

Republicans hold committee breakfast to encourage candidates for 2020

By Kyla Asbury | Sep 4, 2019

Republicans gathered to hear from U.S. Senate candidates during a committee breakfast event Aug. 15, hoping to unseat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and other Democr​​​​​ats in 2020.

Republicans hold rally at state fair for support

By Kyla Asbury | Sep 4, 2019

Republicans rallied to gather support Aug, 15 at the Illinois State Fair for the 2020 election.

From McHenry Times

McConchie seeks more clarity on wage-theft bill

By Kyla Asbury | 6 years ago

During a recent hearing before the Senate Executive Subcommittee on Special Issues, Illinois state Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) asked for more clarification on a bill that intends to protect construction employees from wage theft.