Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Students to be eligible for private school scholarships under new state program

By Justin Stoltzfus | Aug 31, 2017

The new public school funding bill recently passed by the Illinois Legislature includes a scholarship program that would award donated funds to students in lower-income families — up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level — so that they may attend the school of their choice.

Handful of school districts to see property tax relief under school funding bill

By Justin Stoltzfus | Aug 31, 2017

Some Illinois legislators are questioning the value of the recently passed public school funding measure, Senate Bill 1947, because of its generous benefits to Chicago and other school districts that are slated to receive targeted property tax relief.

Rauner re-election, reform agenda at top of GOP list

By Shanice Harris | Aug 31, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republicans throughout the state have been rallying in support of Rauner's ongoing calls for reform and his re-election campaign, according to a press release from the Illinois Republican Party.

GOP praises compromise that led to end of school funding impasse

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 31, 2017

Illinois schools will soon receive state funding payments through a new evidence-based model thanks to a compromise bill that Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected to sign into law on Thursday, according to a release from the Illinois Republican Party.

Local Illinois governmental units get go-ahead to consolidate

By Shanice Harris | Aug 31, 2017

Amid the more-controversial debates going on in the state Legislature the last few months, one important measure that drew little comment could be a major factor in reforming Illinois, the Better Government Association (BGA) contended recently.

Rauner signs bill to prevent police-pension 'double dipping'

By LocalLabs News Service | Aug 30, 2017

Police officers will not longer be able to “double dip” into the same pension fund thanks to legislation signed recently by Gov. Bruce Rauner, according to the Illinois Republican Party.

Senate passes historic education funding bill

By Hoang Tran | Aug 29, 2017

In a historic vote, the Illinois Senate set aside party politics on Tuesday and passed Senate Bill 1947, an education funding bill that changes the way the state sends money to public schools.

Law enforcement says TRUST Act does not make Illinois a sanctuary for criminals

By LocalLabs News Service | Aug 29, 2017

Law-enforcement officers throughout Illinois have offered their support of Senate Bill 31, which Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law on Monday and which some have argued turns Illinois into a so-called sanctuary state.

GOP lauds bipartisan compromise that inches school funding closer

By April Bamburg | Aug 29, 2017

Democrats and Republicans really can work together after all, the Illinois Republican Party commented in a recent press release following the apparent compromise on a state school funding measure.

House passes school funding bill on second attempt; Senate awaits

By Hoang Tran | Aug 28, 2017

After hours of negotiations, countless debates and a reconsideration of voting, the Illinois House passed an education funding bill on Monday.

GOP leaders say school funding deal being finalized

By Hoang Tran | Aug 28, 2017

Illinois Republicans leaders announced what appeared to be a completed compromise on public school funding with their Democratic counterparts on Monday, hours before a vote is expected.

Going back on word, White to run again for secretary of state

By Shanice Harris | Aug 28, 2017

Jesse White (D-Ceciil) continues to cry wolf then sheepishly change his mind, the Illinois Republican Party suggested recently in the wake of White's announcement to seek re-election as secretary of state.

Illinois political aide turned lobbyist swings for the fences, and connects

By LGIS News Service | Aug 27, 2017

After 25 years, Nancy Kimme finally left her state government office in Feb. 2015. But she didn’t go far.

Durkin, Brady boast breakthrough on school funding bill

By Hoang Tran | Aug 27, 2017

Illinois Republican leaders expressed optimistim Sunday about the outcome of education funding as they continued discussions before a vote expected on Monday.

Analyst fears widespread repercussions from court-ordered tax to fund pensions in Harvey

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 26, 2017

An appellate court's decision to order the City of Harvey to levy a tax to supply its firefighters’ pension fund has set a frightening precedent, Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon contends.

Ives: Schools can't be helped until property tax mess is fixed

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 25, 2017

While debate continues on how Illinois state school funding should be distributed, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is arguing that the system will never be fair until county property tax assessments are conducted on the mandated schedule, according to a press release.

Morrison, watchdog group call Illinois lost in lawsuits, lack of reform

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 24, 2017

Illinois is backing itself into a corner by refusing to mirror the reforms sweeping other states, Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) and members of the Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch (I-LAW) said at a recent Palatine rally to spur legislation preventing frivolous lawsuits, according to a press release.

Rauner warned that he is signing his own demise with immigration bill

By Russell Boniface | Aug 24, 2017

If Gov. Bruce Rauner turns Illinois into a so-called sanctuary state he will do more devastation to a conservative base that is already crumbling, host Dan Proft and callers to "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show said recently.

Veterans honored at DuQuoin State Fair with events dedicated to their service

By Prairie State Wire | Aug 24, 2017

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois State Fair, is inviting veterans and their families to participate in a special day at the DuQuoin State Fair on Sunday, August 27, 2017. This event will feature a range of activities specifically designed for veterans at the VIP 1 Area Tent and nearby locations on the fairgrounds.

Tax-credit scholarships called likely part of school funding bill

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 23, 2017

Illinois' education funding bill will almost certainly contain a provision granting tax credits to businesses and individuals that donate to charities that underwrite kids who want to attend private schools, according to inside sources.

Prairie State Wire

News from August 2017