Prairie State Wire

Serious questions about skirting federal law fails to derail Excellence Fund legislation in House

By Angela Underwood | Apr 23, 2018

HB4237, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) to alter the Illinois Excellence Fund, would seemingly undermine the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions placed on charitable contributions by the federal government and hamper private scholarship funding donations, according to some GOP lawmakers.

Dodge sees reforms as way to prevent Harvey-type crises

By Glenn Minnis | Apr 23, 2018

Jim Dodge thinks all affected parties need to be part of the effort to save the state of Illinois from having to deal with more financial crises like the one now forcing the city of Harvey to lay off many of its police and firefighters.

Diversity in textbooks bill sent to House Rules Committee

By Glenn Minnis | Apr 23, 2018

A bill that would require all public elementary and high schools to include “a unit of instruction studying the significant role of African American individuals in society” has been referred to a House Rules Committee.

House committee to hold hearing on HB 5856

By Glenn Minnis | Apr 23, 2018

A Tollway Oversight Committee hearing for House Bill 5856 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Capitol Building.

This week in Illinois history: May 7-13

By Robert Hadley | Apr 23, 2018

On this date in history, a four-term governor was born, Cairo becomes a linchpin in the Union strategy during the Civil War, and a strike aims to settle a railroad wage dispute.

Breen raises concerns during floor debate over cash basis accounting

By Angela Underwood | Apr 23, 2018

While debating with Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights), Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) said that lawmakers certainly don’t want to hide pension liabilities under any circumstances.

Report: Treasurer's Office didn't full analyze pricing sources for investments

By Robert Hadley | Apr 23, 2018

The Illinois Auditor General's office has released a financial audit and compliance examination report on the Treasurer's Office's fiscal officer responsibilities for the fiscal year ending June 30.

Auditor General report finds OMB did not receive $2.4 million rebate

By Robert Hadley | Apr 23, 2018

The Illinois Auditor General's office has released its compliance examination report for the state Office of Management and Budget for the two-year period ending June 30. The report was released March 6.

Auditors recommend Secretary of State’s office create procedures to avoid misstatements

By Robert Hadley | Apr 23, 2018

The Illinois Auditor General has released its compliance examination for the Office of the Secretary of State for the fiscal year ending June 30. The report was released March 6.

Report: Half of Treasurer's Office monthly appropriation status reports missing documentation

By Robert Hadley | Apr 23, 2018

The Illinois Auditor General's office has released the Office of the Treasurer Nonfiscal Officer Responsibilities Compliance Examination for the two-year period ending June 30. The report was released to the House on Feb. 27.

Illinois House approves spending of $635K on three "lactation and wellness" rooms at State Capitol

By LGIS News Service | Apr 23, 2018

The Illinois House of Representatives voted 91-1 Friday to spend $635,570 to build three "lactation and wellness" rooms at the state capitol in Springfield.

Rogers: Anyone who wants to connect with people could learn a lot from Barbara Bush

By Ed Rogers | Apr 22, 2018

In the early 1980s, I did a lot of advance work for Vice President George H.W. Bush. Routinely, Barbara Bush would be on the trip, and I would often be assigned to manage part of her schedule.

Domanico: It's No Surprise That U.S. Education Performance Isn't Improving

By Ray Domanico | Apr 22, 2018

The results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress released this month offer little to celebrate.

Morning Answer- State Sen. Sam McCann drops by to talk about his third party run for governor

By LGIS News Service | Apr 22, 2018

State Sen. Sam McCann drops by to talk about his third party run for governor

Optimism for strong Bears season seen in prime-time games

By Glenn Minnis | Apr 20, 2018

Questions about the Chicago Bears and their much-bandied about progress could be answered as early as the first week of the 2018 season.

McCann names ways he differs from Rauner amid third-party gubernatorial bid

By Glenn Minnis | Apr 20, 2018

Sen. Sam McCann’s third-party run for governor is all about starting a “paradigm shift” he argues is desperately needed to get Illinois back on course.

Village of Deerfield is a risky model for Democratic legislators in gun control debate

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 20, 2018

Democratic legislators are taking a huge political risk citing the Village of Deerfield as a model in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s April 17 approval of legislation giving local governments the right to regulate firearms, Second Amendment advocates say.

From Business Daily

Analysis: Homeowners in Hawaii, Alabama, Colorado pay lowest property tax rate in U.S.

By Arizona Business Daily | 6 years ago

With an effective property tax rate of about 0.33 percent, Honolulu has the lowest property tax rate among U.S. cities, according to an ATTOM Data Solutions analysis of property taxes levied on single-family homes.

Senate bill on fire chief appointments not good for cities, Richton Park village manager says

By Karen Kidd | Apr 19, 2018

Proposed legislation in the state Senate that would change the way cities select fire chiefs would not be good for municipalities, Richton Park Village Manager Regan Stockstell said during a recent interview.

Illinois' vendor debt climbs to $8.8 billion

By Glenn Minnis | Apr 19, 2018

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt crept upward during the week ending April 18, ending at $8,846,105,886.24.