Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Election board deadlocks on what to do about Mautino

By Aaron Crider | Jul 18, 2018

Despite an ongoing federal investigation, the Illinois State Board of Elections is having a difficult time deciding whether or not the state’s auditor general is guilty of corruption.

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association leader Greg Baise announces retirement

By Kasey Schefflin- Emrich | Jul 18, 2018

Greg Baise retired from his position as president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association on July 16.

5 GOP House candidates to discuss 'infiltrating the Springfield Machine'

By Robert Hadley | Jul 18, 2018

Five Republican candidates who will be on November’s ballots in districts across Illinois will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. Thursday to answer the question “What Happens When Conservative Reformers Infiltrate the Springfield Machine?”

IL Rising -What's next after Janus?

By LGIS News Service | Jul 17, 2018

The team discusses the implications of the Janus decision and what is next for union workers and taxpayers

IL Rising - Frank Mautino continues to evade charges

By LGIS News Service | Jul 17, 2018

Proft and Hughes also continue to follow the corruption case against Inspector General Frank Mautino, and get analysis from Liberty Justice Center Attorney Jeff Schwab on why the case is stalled.

IL Rising - Rep Breen drops by to talk about the first six months of IL's taxpayer funded abortion Law

By LGIS News Service | Jul 17, 2018

The results so far? A 274 percent increase in taxpayer-funded abortions in the state.

ISRA urges local governments to take up gun sanctuary resolutions

By Robert Hadley | Jul 17, 2018

Richard Pearson, the executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), recently urged counties that have not passed gun-sanctuary resolutions to do so.

Dodge sees November as referendum on Illinois' national standing

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 17, 2018

Jim Dodge thinks he knows why so many taxpayers across Illinois are now feeling squeezed.

Lobbying business for former Madigan aide booming despite harassment allegations

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 16, 2018

A former aide to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has maintained a healthy stable of lobbying clients five months after Madigan's office supposedly cut ties with him over multiple allegations of sexual harassment.

Watchdogs - Assessing the State Board of Elections personal data breach

By LGIS News Service | Jul 16, 2018

With the recent news of indictments against 12 Russian agents, the Edgar County Watchdog team takes a look at the vulnerabilities and policies that may have left Illinois exposed and susceptible to a hacker attack.

'It's nonsense': PR firm owned by state rep's wife dubbed 'disadvantaged' to win giant government contracts

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 15, 2018

Chicago's Morreale Communications is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), meaning that it’s listed among other minority firms that by law must receive a certain percentage of any contracts bid out by the Illinois Tollway.

OPINION: There is not going to be a blue wave

By Caleb Conway | Jul 15, 2018

Ever since the summer of 2017, left wing media pundits have been claiming that a Democratic “Blue Wave” is going to sweep the Republicans out of Congress and place the Democrats back into their rightful place as the majority.

GOP House members launch campaign supporting term limits

By Kasey Schefflin- Emrich | Jul 14, 2018

House Republicans recently announced a campaign to enact term limits for elected officials.

Dems, Personal PAC call for Rauner to protect HB40

By Angela Underwood | Jul 13, 2018

Regardless of allegedly violating campaign laws in favor of Democratic candidate Terra Costa Howard and sending out controversial pro-choice campaign mailers against Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard), the Personal Political Action Committee (PAC) is demanding Gov. Bruce Rauner sign a pledge to protect HB40.

State Board of Elections says Illinois votes remain safe after indictment of Russian hackers

By Angela Underwood | Jul 13, 2018

A U.S. indictment against Russian intelligence left Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBOE) Public Information Officer Matt Dietrich assuring residents their votes remain safe.

State's vendor debt slides down slightly to $6,643,624,664.94

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 13, 2018

The state’s unpaid vendor debt trickled downward during the week ending July 12, finishing at $6,643,624,664.94, or slightly more than $100 million over last week’s debt levels.

This week in Illinois history: July 30-Aug. 5

By Robert Hadley | Jul 11, 2018

July 30, 1898 - Highwood. Amusement park honoring Civil War General Philip Sheridan opens. Headquartered at the intersection of Clay Street and Sheridan Road in Highwood, Fort Sheridan Park was advertised as a “the only first-class family resort and picnic grounds west of New York,” as a print advertisement proclaims on the Illinois History Journal’s digital archives.