Prairie State Wire

ILGOP calls out Pritzker's $1 million contribution to committee run by Democrats

By Marian Johns | Jun 5, 2018

The Illinois Republican Party (ILGOP) is calling out the recent $1 million contribution made by Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate and billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker to a political committee called Democratic Majority.

Illinois Policy Institute: Lawmakers need to reject recent spending bill, adopt spending cap

By Marian Johns | May 31, 2018

Adam Schuster, Illinois Policy Institute's director of budget and tax research, is taking aim at state lawmakers for the Illinois Senate's recent passage of a spending bill without doing anything to rein in government spending.

Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch holds rally in Springfield calling for lawsuit reform

By Marian Johns | May 28, 2018

Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch (I-LAW), a grassroots legal watchdog group, recently held a rally in the state capital to call attention to legislators' inaction on putting forth meaningful lawsuit reforms.

2 measures sponsored by McSweeney adressing sexual harassment pass General Assembly

By Marian Johns | May 25, 2018

Two separate bills that address the issue of sexual harassment have passed unanimously in the Illinois House and Senate.

From Chicago City Wire

Ex-cop hired by IDFPR despite admitting federal gang-related drug conviction

By Marian Johns | 7 years ago

A recent Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General (OEIG) investigation revealed that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) hired a former Chicago police officer with a past criminal history of drug and gang-related federal convictions.

Strong Towns founder: Overbuilding, subsidizing infrastructure is not the answer to state's financial woes

By Marian Johns | May 9, 2018

A recent report by the Illinois think tank Economic Policy Institute that says the state will need $21 billion a year to pay for infrastructure repairs is raising eyebrows with some budget hawks - including the Strong Towns media organization whose founder says the figure is proof of the state's financial disaster and mismanagement.

'Think biblically' when it comes to legalization of marijuana, Illinois Family Action director says

By Marian Johns | Mar 14, 2018

As Illinois lawmakers consider legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, an lllinois Family Action (IFA) leader is encouraging Illinoisans to "think biblically" about the controversial issue.

Illinois Family Action podcast outlines recommendations in primary races

By Marian Johns | Mar 13, 2018

As Illinois voters prepare to head to the polls for the March 20 primary elections, the nonprofit llinois Family Action (IFA) is getting the word out to voters about their candidate endorsements and recommendations.

Illinois AFSCME case could be most important workers' rights case of a generation

By Marian Johns | Feb 28, 2018

As the U.S. Supreme Court ponders Springfield resident Mark Janus' lawsuit against the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), attorneys and staff of the Liberty Justice Center are calling the case one of the most important for workers' rights in a generation.

Supreme Court hears arguments in union dues case

By Marian Johns | Feb 26, 2018

Springfield resident and Illinois state employee Mark Janus' fight with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) over requiring non-union members to pay union fees has the workers' rights issue before the Supreme Court once again.