Prairie State Wire

Weckbacher complaint: State election board not following own recommendations on verifying accuracy of ballots

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 20, 2022

A complaint before the Illinois State Board of Elections alleges that the board is not adhering to its own recommendations to verify that a computer-readable code matches a voter’s ballot choices, jeopardizing the accuracy of the entire voting system.

Complaint: Federal election funds at risk under election board approved Hart InterCivic system

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 2, 2022

A voting system approved by the Illinois State Board of Elections in January is out of compliance with mandatory federal standards for disabled voters, and puts federal funding from the U.S.

Federal judge: Illinois required to make voter rolls available for public inspection

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 15, 2022

In a case brought by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), a federal judge in Illinois ruled March 8 that the state is required to allow public inspection of its voter rolls.

Thomas More Society lawyers caution Illinois school board's proposed 'Culturally Responsive' standards are 'unconstitutional'

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 15, 2020

A conservative national public interest law firm says it will challenge what it characterizes as vague and progressive new teaching standards set for approval by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on Wednesday.

Glennon says 'pensions are Illinois' biggest problem' and state must reform or face bankruptcy

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 3, 2020

It is becoming increasingly clearer that Congress will not be forcing American taxpayers to bailout Illinois’ hemorrhaging public pension systems under cover of a COVID-19 rescue plan as many elected officials had hoped.

Tax Foundation: Little fair about Pritzker’s proposed 'Fair tax'

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 16, 2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is selling the proposed elimination of the state’s flat-rate income tax as a way of making the wealthier shoulder a greater share of the tax burden. He has branded the replacement tax, a graduated income tax, as “The Fair Tax.” There’s a lot more to it than that, according to a recent analysis by the Tax Foundation, which suggests fairness has little do with it.

California law firm facing challenge in placing ads alerting women to alleged Planned Parenthood practices

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 16, 2020

A California law firm working as special counsel for the Chicago-based Thomas More Society has been stymied in its attempts to place TV ads alerting former clients of Planned Parenthood, an abortion provider, that they could be entitled to compensation through legal action.

Thomas More defends California pro-life activists in case brought by Harris for Planned Parenthood

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 24, 2020

In California, defense lawyers representing pro-life activist David Daleiden and his associate, Sandra Merritt, both with the Center for Medical Progress, are whittling away at criminal charges against them initiated by past California Attorney General and now Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris, on behalf of Planned Parenthood.

Orland Park mayor: Pritzker acts like North Korean dictator during COVID-19 crisis

By W.J. Kennedy | May 15, 2020

The village of Orland Park in Cook County met the metrics for moving to the next phase for reopening under the Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase Restore Illinois plan, according to Mayor Keith Pekau. Instead the village remains stuck with other municipalities statewide under the restrictions of phase 2, which only permits retail stores open for pickup and some limited outdoor activity.

From NW Illinois News

Lena pastor planning services after losing restraining order case against Pritzker's restrictions

By W.J. Kennedy | 4 years ago

T​he northern Illinois church that made national headlines for holding in-person services last Sunday is planning services again for this Sunday, in defiance of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order.

Rep. Bailey readies amended lawsuit against Pritzker’s stay-at-home order

By W.J. Kennedy | May 6, 2020

State Rep Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) said late Tuesday that he’s unsure if his amended lawsuit targeting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order will include all Illinois residents in its reach, as some news outlets have reported.

Legal guidance to challenge Pritzker’s stay-at-home orders outlined

By W.J. Kennedy | May 5, 2020

A government watchdog group has charted a legal roadmap for Illinois residents and businesses seeking to challenge Gov. J.B Pritzker’s stay-at-home orders, now extended until the end of May.

From NW Illinois News

Pritzker concedes to churches holding services with limited attendance

By W.J. Kennedy | 4 years ago

Facing legal action from a Christian church in Lena, Gov. Pritzker updated his executive stay-at-home order on April 30, allowing churches to reopen and hold services if they limit attendance to 10 or fewer.

Pritzker invoking power during COVID-19 crisis not provided under the law, watchdog says

By W.J. Kennedy | May 1, 2020

Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker has “usurped the power” of state and local health departments by ordering people to remain at home and businesses to close during the fight against coronavirus, according to an area government watchdog group.

Fiscal watchdog: GOP aims to prevent Democrats from throwing money at mismanaged public pension plans

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 16, 2020

Fiscal watchdogs have alerted taxpayers that Congressional Democrats might attempt to attach a bailout plan for public pensions to one rescuing private sector union pensions, with no changes in the bad practices that led to massive unfunded liabilities in the first place.

Some states may use federal stimulus funds to prop up public pension systems, Wirepoints says

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 7, 2020

The leaders of states financially distressed prior to the coronavirus pandemic may siphon off a portion of the stimulus money now gushing out of Washington, warns the fiscal watchdog group, Wirepoints.

Political strategist: Sen. Brady should resign over role in bad loan

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 3, 2020

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) played a role in duping a friend into loaning $1 million to a home building business owned by two of his brothers, a federal bankruptcy judge determined in a ruling issued this week.

First Amendment authority: Pritzker’s demand that paper unpublish story 'extreme measure'

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 3, 2020

A First Amendment authority says a demand by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office that a central Illinois newspaper unpublish a story about the governor’s progressive income tax proposal was “highly unusual.”

Fiscal watchdog blasts lack of 'shared sacrifice' among government workers during health emergency

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 3, 2020

It pays to be among society’s elites during the coronavirus crisis.

From DuPage Policy Journal

'Biased' Tribune reporting cited in shortage of medical supplies needed in coronavirus fight

By W.J. Kennedy | 4 years ago

For over a year scientists have been refuting the Chicago Tribune’s reporting that emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO), from a medical equipment plant in Willowbrook, Sterigenics, presented a danger to the public.