Prairie State Wire

Illinois State Rifle Association warns against UN threat

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 30, 2018

Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard A. Pearson is imploring all his members to be aware.

Dodge likes the idea of unions now having to 'compete for their value'

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 29, 2018

Jim Dodge champions the idea of workers having more freedom of choice and not being forced to pay union dues for collective bargaining purposes.

Liberty Justice Center attorney says practical, ideological reasons led to SCOTUS decision on union fees

By Robert Hadley | Jun 29, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling this weak overturning a decades-old decision allowing unions to charge non-members for lobbying seems to belong a world away, ideologically, from the one in 1977 that said such fees were constitutional.

Janus ruling changes union enrollment process

By Kyla Asbury | Jun 28, 2018

A recent Supreme Court ruling reverses the way public employees now join unions.

Reeder: Macho make-believe is disappointing but hardly surprising

By Scott Reeder | Jun 28, 2018

State Sen. Sam McCann, the wannabe Marine, now wants to be governor.

State Treasurer candidate Jim Dodge thinks Obama Center could spur growth

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 28, 2018

Jim Dodge hopes cooler heads prevail in the bubbling controversy over tax money being used for the Barack Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s Southside.

St. Louis-Metro East has top ‘underwater’ mortgage rate among Illinois’ largest MSAs

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 28, 2018

Among Illinois’ most populous urban centers, the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Metro East, posted the highest percentage of mortgages that owe at least 25 percent more on their loans than their property is worth, according to a home equity analysis by ATTOM Data Solutions.

$390,000 for Democrats, $9,000 for Republicans; See which Illinois political campaigns AFSCME worker dues have funded in 2018

By LGIS News Service | Jun 28, 2018

Illinois' largest public employee union has given 98 percent of its political donations this year to Democrats, according to an analysis of state filings by Prairie State Wire.

Supreme Court's ruling means public sector employees now must opt into unions

By Kyla Asbury | Jun 27, 2018

After the landmark decision in Janus v. AFSCME today, public sector employees no longer are required to opt out of unions they don't wish to participate in, but now must opt-in to become members.

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

By Angela Underwood | Jun 27, 2018

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families.

Gun-rights advocate questions constitutionality of Morrison's pending legislation

By Robert Hadley | Jun 27, 2018

A bill sponsored by state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that would restrict the use of assault weapons is problematic, not only for being vague, but for abridging gun owners’ rights, according to gun lobbyist Todd Vandermyde.

TEF: Nearly 20,000 former public employees receiving at least $100,000 in pension payouts annually

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 27, 2018

The 12th annual Taxpayer Education Foundation (TEF) report concludes that there are nearly 20,000 pensioners across the state receiving $100,000 or more in annual pension payments.

Founder of Liberty Justice Center Hughes lauds Supreme Court's union decision

By Kyla Asbury | Jun 27, 2018

The attorney for Mark Janus said a recent U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Janus vs. ASCME case is a giant win for constitutional freedoms and public sector employees nationwide.

Jim Dodge compares CPS to Springfield, claims they both are 'too insular'

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 27, 2018

Jim Dodge thinks the Chicago Public School system now too closely resembles the general assembly in Springfield.

Supreme Court's landmark union ruling gives public sector workers 'a voice and a choice'

By Kyla Asbury | Jun 27, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that non-union government employees will no longer be forced to pay union fees, a victory for Liberty Justice Center and other organizations in Illinois that supported the plaintiff in the landmark case.

Supreme Court deals blow to unions with Illinois case ruling

By Carol Ostrow | Jun 27, 2018

Overturning a 41-year precedent, the U.S. Supreme Court today handed down a decision empowering worker’s rights advocates that could essentially destabilize the financial structure of unions.

From Kane County Reporter

Allen Skillicorn praises SCOTUS' union ruling

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

State Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) is applauding the Supreme Court decision that absolves non-union workers from being obligated to pay fees that are used for collective bargaining.

Morning Answer - Sam McCann drops by to talk about his 3rd part run for Governor

By LGIS News Service | Jun 26, 2018

Morning Answer - Sam McCann drops by to talk about his 3rd part run for Governor

Illinois House passes changes to Medicaid

By Angela Underwood | Jun 26, 2018

GOP lawmakers debated two Medicaid bills last month before passing both with little opposition.

On eve of sexual harassment allegations, Lou Lang fought for ERA ratification

By Angela Underwood | Jun 26, 2018

Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) debated at length about ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment on May 30 only to be accused the following day of sexual harassment, leaving him to resign from his leadership role as deputy majority leader of the state House.