Latest News from Prairie State Wire

State school money will finally go where it is most needed, Rauner says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 4, 2017

The historic new Illinois school funding bill enacted on Thursday will give money to where it is most needed, nnot only to schools but also to low- and middle-income students who have been forced to attend underperforming schools, according to a press release from Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Illinois media praises school funding reform, Rauner's efforts

By Brent Zell | Sep 3, 2017

Illinois' new school funding formula is drawing praise from media outlets throughout the state, the Illinois Republican Party reported recently.

Conservatives called spineless in Illinois transgender birth certificate debate

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 3, 2017

Laurie Higgins says it’s time conservatives took a more courageous stand in the transgender birth certificate debate.

Rauner earns Washington Post plaudits for school choice measure

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 3, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner held off signing Illinois' new school funding bill until "the good guys" got something they wanted, the Washington Post said in a recent editorial.

Former state university employee Smith paid in $129K to pension fund, could collect $3.03M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Sep 1, 2017

Former state university employee Edward Smith, who retired in August 2017, saved $128,699 toward a pension over 30 years working for state universities, State Universities Retirement System of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Locascio paid in $15K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $317K in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Sep 1, 2017

Former state school employee Jane Locascio, who retired in August 2017, saved $15,325 toward a pension over 2 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Besler back with advocacy group after stint with Rauner team

By Brent Zell | Sep 1, 2017

Matthew Besler is back in his lead role with the Illinois Opportunity Project after serving as chief strategic adviser for Citizens for Rauner Inc. since July, according to a press release.

Wall Street Journal cheers Rauner for tax credit scholarship program

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 1, 2017

The Wall Street Journal has praised Gov. Bruce Rauner’s efforts in the school funding reform debate that led to the introduction of a school choice program in the reform legislation, according to a recent release from the Illinois Republican Party.