Latest News from Prairie State Wire

GOP offers Madigan, congressional followers a 'retirement plan'

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 14, 2017

The Illinois Republic Party wants to show House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) the door via a "Madigan Retirement Plan,” according to a press release.

Rauner campaign ad touts education measure as 'delivering for kids'

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 14, 2017

Citizens for Rauner is touting the new education reform bill recently signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner as a landmark for the state.

OPINION: Rauner and our Illinois Republican future

By Christopher Robling | Oct 14, 2017

If Rauner is unelectable, then, he must be replaced as our candidate. His most thoughtful and selfless step now would be to announce his decision not to run for re-election.

GOP: Dem governor wannabes sat on their cans as Cook County repealed soda tax

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 13, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidates sat on the sidelines as Cook County repealed its controversial sweetened beverage tax this week, according to the Illinois Republican Party.

Secretary of state hopeful knows he has uphill climb to take down White

By Karen Kidd | Oct 13, 2017

Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland knows he has a tough fight on his hands in his hopes to unseat longtime Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

Illinois vendor debt stabilizes after drop from record high

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 12, 2017

Illinois' unpaid vendor debt has remained virtually unchanged after dropping from a record high in September, according to the Illinois comptroller’s webpage.

Illinois ranks 46th per capita in housing starts for month of August

By LGIS Newsfeed | Oct 11, 2017

Out of all 50 states, Illinois ranked 46th per capita in housing starts in the month of August, according to data from the National Association of Home Builders.

'Now we’re hoping he seriously considers not running'; conservative groups band together to end Rauner support

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 10, 2017

Any remaining support for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner from the conservative, anti-abortion faithful in Illinois was swept away with a statement from 20 groups released late Monday declaring a vote of “no confidence” for the governor after he signed into law House Bill 40, which expands public funding of abortion in Illinois.

Consolidation called simple math way to cut Illinois school costs

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 10, 2017

The evidence-based school funding formula recently adopted in Illinois will drive up costs without the corresponding gains in student performance promised by many school officials and lawmakers, education experts say.

GOP shows no surprise over Pritzker endorsement by Democratic association

By Hoang Tran | Oct 9, 2017

The Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association (IDCCA) has endorsed billionaire J.B. Pritzker for governor, which should come as no surprise, according to Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot.

IDOT offers matching grants for alternative transportation efforts

By Michael McGrady | Oct 9, 2017

Alternative forms of transportation can get state backing thanks to an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) program now accepting applications.

Rauner's abortion decision betrays his liberal leanings, group says

By Claudia Balthazar | Oct 9, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner has proven himself a liberal in GOP's clothing, according to Pat Hughes, co-founder of the Illinois Opportunity Project suggested in a statement recently.

Tell us what you think

By LGIS News Service | Oct 9, 2017

We want to hear from you. Send your original opinion pieces to news@prairiestatewire.com.

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Harold earns backing of six U.S. representatives in attorney general bid

By Eileen Seefluth | Oct 9, 2017

Six U.S. congressmen from Illinois have endorsed Erika Harold for Illinois attorney general, according to a recent press release from Harold's campaign.

Hunting group aims to raise awareness of $2.2 billion economic impact on Illinois

By Tricia Erickson | Oct 8, 2017

Hunters have an overall impact of $2.2 billion on Illinois’ economy every year, according to the newly formed Hunting Works For Illinois organization, which is trying to boost awareness of hunting's benefits to the state.

Chief of Staff Rasmussen quits Rauner Administration

By LGIS News Service | Oct 6, 2017

Kristina Rasmussen has resigned from her post as Governor Bruce Rauner's Chief of Staff, one week after Rauner signed a bill to force Illinois taxpayers to fund abortions.

Attorney general hopeful Harold opposed abortion measure

By Claudia Balthazar | Oct 5, 2017

Erika Harold disagreed with Gov. Bruce Rauner’s decision to sign a controversial bill that will allow Illinoisans to use Medicaid and state insurance for abortions for any reason, but she has not joined party members who have decided not to back Rauner's re-election bid.

Illinois sees hint of hope as unpaid vendor debt dips slightly

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 5, 2017

Illinois' unpaid vendor debt fell slightly as the fall season got underway, according to the state comptroller's website.

Rauner could get his wish if high court ends forced union payments

By Nathan Davis | Oct 3, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner is looking forward to the U.S. Supreme Court taking up Janus v. AFSCME next year in the hope of ending forced union payments by employees who do not wish to be part of a union, according to a press release.

Republican chair says abortion issue will not divide party

By Hoang Tran | Oct 3, 2017

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider (R-Bartlett) says that even though he joins many fellow Republicans in dismay over Gov. Bruce Rauner's signing of abortion coverage expansion, he won't allow Democrats to use the issue to divide his party.

Prairie State Wire

News from October 2017