Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Attorney criticizes workers' compensation reform bills, calls them 'fake'

By Justin Stoltzfus | Oct 31, 2017

Attorney Eugene Keefe of Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates LLC has some criticism of recent Illinois workers' compensation reform bill efforts by state legislators.

Dabrowski looks to lead Wirepoints, help Illinoisans force change

By Allison Shirk | Oct 31, 2017

Ted Dabrowski has been named president of Wirepoints as the online news service looks to branch out in content and readership.

Policy analyst argues progressive tax isn't progress and would make Illinois misery worse

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 29, 2017

House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) wants to ensure he controls Illinois well into the future by enacting a progressive tax in Illinois, according to Austin Berg, the director of content for the Illinois Policy Institute.

Ives mounts challenge to Rauner in Republican gubernatorial primary

By LGIS Newsfeed | Oct 28, 2017

After weeks of speculation, State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) has decided to take a concrete step towards challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Policy group signs onto Homeowners Defense Association call for 1 percent property tax cap

By Meg Shannon | Oct 28, 2017

It might be home sweet home to some, but to others, Illinois is “home overtaxed home,” the Illinois Opportunity Project contended recently in announcing its support for a Homeowners Defense Association (HDA) intiative.

Illinois highlights manufacturing industry in month-long slate of events

By Hayley Edwards | Oct 27, 2017

October is Manufacturing Month in Illinois, and the state has held several events to highlight its importance recently.

Illinois needs outsiders to repair inside of flawed system, former Rauner official says

By Mark Heinz | Oct 27, 2017

Illinois taxpayers are footing the bill for a system flawed beyond any internal solutions, a former state government insider claims.

House Democrats vow to keep up fight to prevent right-to-work in Illinois

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 27, 2017

House Democrats say they will try again to prevent Gov. Bruce Rauner from turning Illinois into a right-to-work state.

Ives blasts IASB's hiring of former Lincoln-Way school board member

By Justin Stoltzfus | Oct 27, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is crying foul on the recent hiring of Dee Molinare by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).

Save for Rauner cash, House GOP campaign fundraising slows to a trickle

By LGIS News Service | Oct 25, 2017

On the last weekend of Aug.1999, then-Illinois House Republican Leader Lee Daniels held a golf outing and fundraiser dinner at Medinah Country Club that attracted 1,200, raising $680,000 for his members’ campaigns-- $1.01 million in 2017 dollars.

Rauner seen as not so high on the Hog in latest video: 'Just a near-billionaire who likes to ride motorcycles'

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 25, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced his re-election bid via a video released on Monday that features him riding a Harley-Davidson across rural, urban and suburban landscapes.

Illinois manufacturing sector seen as idling as Toyota steers away

By Robert Hadley | Oct 25, 2017

The recent decision by Toyota and Mazda against locating their new factory in the DeKalb area has left frustration if not downright puzzlement in its wake, especially since Illinois ranked fourth among the finalists, according to DeKalb County Board Chairman Mark Pietrowski.

Pritzker stays silent on Madigan's reign at Aurora debate

By Brent Zell | Oct 25, 2017

Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker declined to criticize House Speaker Mike Madigan at an Aurora debate recently, according to the Illinois Republican Party.

Homeowners advocacy group calls on Illinoisans to 'revolt or bolt'

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 24, 2017

The Homeowners Defense Association (HDA) is proposing a 1 percent tax cap referendum for the November 2018 ballot to help preserve the dream of home ownership for many struggling Illinois taxpayers.

Rauner true to school funding goals, new campaign ad contends

By Allison Shirk | Oct 24, 2017

Gearing up for 2018, Gov. Bruce Rauner’s candidate committee, Citizens for Rauner, has released a new TV ad touting the school funding bill signed by the governor that was considered a compromise between Democrats and Republicans.

House Republican Leader Durkin solicits Democrats to back re-election bid

By LGIS News Service | Oct 24, 2017

Non-profit executive Jack Wuest of Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood has made 56 Illinois campaign contributions in 2017. That’s 55 to Democrats and one, for $500 on Sept. 30, to Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs).

Fitch rates Illinois bonds at 'BBB,' offers negative outlook

By Claudia Balthazar | Oct 24, 2017

Fitch Ratings has issued a "BBB" rating for all $6 billion worth of bonds being sold by lllinois under a plan by Gov. Bruce Rauner to shave off a chunk of the state's estimated $15 billion in vendor debt, according to a press release.

Rauner abortion move prompts backlash at federal level

By Allison Shirk | Oct 23, 2017

The Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation has pushed back against Gov. Bruce Rauner by voting for legislation that would ban abortions 20 weeks or more after conception across the country, according to a news release.

Election board accused of misdemeanor in Mautino case

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 23, 2017

The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) are accusing the Illinois State Board of Elections (SBE) of committing a criminal act by not properly prosecuting Auditor General Frank Mautino for campaign spending violations he committed while a state representative.