Prairie State Wire

States reconsider use of plastic bags during novel coronavirus outbreak

By April Bamburg | Mar 28, 2020

During the coronavirus outbreak, shoppers will see their bagging behaviors challenged – including their reusable bags habits.

Census Bureau: 2.5 percent of people in Illinois identified as multi-racial in 2018

By Metric Media News Service | Mar 28, 2020

Of the 12,821,497 citizens living in Illinois in 2018, 97.5 percent said they were only one race while 2.5 percent said they were two or more races, according to U.S. Census Bureau data obtained in February.

Census Bureau: 77 percent of people in Illinois were old enough to vote in 2017

By Metric Media News Service | Mar 28, 2020

Of the 12,854,526 citizens living in Illinois in 2017, 9,895,529 were old enough to vote as of Aug. 5, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Census Bureau: 77.2 percent of people in Illinois were old enough to vote in 2018

By Metric Media News Service | Mar 28, 2020

Of the 12,821,497 citizens living in Illinois in 2018, 9,894,936 were old enough to vote as of Feb. 7, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Census Bureau: 2.4 percent of people in Illinois identified as multi-racial in 2017

By Metric Media News Service | Mar 28, 2020

Of the 12,854,526 citizens living in Illinois in 2017, 97.6 percent said they were only one race while 2.4 percent said they were two or more races, according to U.S. Census Bureau data obtained in August.

Wirepoints: Pritzker's $42 billion budget doesn't touch real problems

By April Bamburg | Mar 27, 2020

The $42 billion budget outlined by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has drawn a crowd of critics since it was announced Feb. 19, including Wirepoints, an organization that researches the Illinois economy and government and offers commentary to inform the citizens of the state.

Illinois Policy Institute favors its 'Illinois Forward' plan over Pritzker budget

By April Bamburg | Mar 27, 2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget for the 2021 fiscal year will not address the problems that put the state at the bottom of fiscal health rankings, according to a policy group.

Illinois State Rifle Association opposes gun-related legislation

By April Bamburg | Mar 26, 2020

The Illinois State Rifle Association has been watching gun-related legislation make its way through Springfield, and executive director Richard A. Pearson is warning members about three bills in particular.

Durbin slammed for refusing to debate, demanding handouts for state, Chicago in coronavirus economic relief bill

By April Bamburg | Mar 25, 2020

Instead of working with the Republicans in the Senate, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) says that Democrats are instead working behind closed doors and demanding cash handouts to the airlines, and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who, he says is demanding cash for Illinois and Chicago, both of which have serious financial issues they are dealing with.

Rep. Skillicorn criticizes Gov. Pritzker's shelter-in-place executive order

By Joe Chen | Mar 24, 2020

Rep. Allen Skillicorn urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday to provide further justification for his shelter-in-place executive order effective from March 21 to April 7.

Gun rights, motorcycle groups making contingency plans after Illinois puts limits on large crowds at statehouse

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 24, 2020

The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) has tentatively rescheduled its annual Illinois Gold Owner Lobby Day (I-GOLD) in the wake of lawmakers placing limits on large gatherings at the State Capitol due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

From DuPage Policy Journal

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

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 days 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.

Watchdog: Illinoisans must keep watchful eye on government during coronavirus emergency

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 23, 2020

The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) are urging Illinoisans to pay close attention to government directives and other actions taken in response to the proclaimed state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic.

Poll: Pension crisis warnings from fiscal experts not lost on Illinoisans

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 23, 2020

Warnings from the fiscal watchdogs at Wirepoints and other policy experts about the teetering public pension systems in the state are getting through to voters, a recent poll shows.

Biden and Curran win primaries, Lipinski defeated by Newman

By Zeta Cross | Mar 23, 2020

Former Vice President Joe Biden and former Chicago prosecutor Mark Curran won primary elections on March 17, while Daniel Lipinski lost his House seat.

In light of COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois Business Alliance calls on Gov. Pritzker and General Assembly to take graduated income tax proposal off the ballot

Mar 19, 2020

Chicago, IL (March 19, 2020) – The Illinois Business Alliance is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to remove the graduated income tax amendment from the 2020 General Election ballot.

IDOT: Gov. Pritzker waives overweight permit fees for transportation of emergency relief supplies

By Press release submission | Mar 18, 2020

Gov. JB Pritzker has signed an emergency declaration, effective through April 12, enabling haulers to get free Illinois Department of Transportation overweight trucking permits for the movement of emergency relief supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public Museum Capital Grants Program Deadline Extended

By Press release submission | Mar 18, 2020

As a result of public and state agency closures due to COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced the application deadline for the Public Museum Capital Grants Program would be extended until May 29, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Pritzker announces state's first COVID-19 death

By Bob Pepalis | Mar 17, 2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the first death linked to the coronavirus in Illinois, which came a day after he issued a disaster declaration.

Wirepoints president warns businesses will struggle, pension problem will worsen with COVID-19

By April Bamburg | Mar 17, 2020

Financial expert Ted Dabrowski, president of Wirepoints, cautions that Illinois' financial crisis will no doubt get worse due to the impact of the novel coronavirus.