Prairie State Wire

This week in Illinois history: July 2-8

By Robert Hadley | Jun 18, 2018

Learn about the history of Illinois' capitol building, the sinking of the Columbia steamship and Comiskey Park's first all-star game this week in Illinois history.

Board of Education would receive $68.4M for capital projects under Rauner budget

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 18, 2018

Just under nine-tenths of 1 percent of the governor's 2019 capital budget request would fund Illinois Board of Education projects, according to a state analysis.

RENN: Think Blago Got a Bad Rap? Check out This Pol's Punishment

By Aaron M. Renn | Jun 16, 2018

A recent article noting that former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had been transferred between prisons, combined with rumors that President Trump might commute the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich made me think about the fairness of Kilpatrick's 28-year prison sentence.

Camelot seeks to raise Illinois lottery sales by $1.2 billion by end of 10-year contract

By Danielle Pacey | Jun 15, 2018

Illinois' lottery operator, Camelot, has been working diligently to create a variety of lottery games and have them be easily accessible to consumers.

Illinois' unemployment rate declined again in May

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 15, 2018

The Illinois unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points during the month of May, registering at a 12-year low of 4.3 percent, according to Illinois Department of Employment Security.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Breen says taxpayer-funded abortions cannot proceed without budget revenue estimate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) made it clear on the Springfield court steps Wednesday—you can’t use a taxpayer-funded budget to pay for abortions if that budget doesn't contain a revenue estimate.

Secretary of state would receive $65M for capital projects under Rauner budget

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 15, 2018

Just over eight-tenths of 1 percent of the governor's 2019 capital budget request would fund Illinois Secretary of State projects, according to a state analysis.

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt remained above $7 billion for second consecutive week

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 15, 2018

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt remained above $7 billion for the second consecutive week during the week ending June 11.

From Will County Gazette

OPINION: Stella on “Right to Try” bill

By Dr. Nick Stella | 6 years ago

President Trump signed the “Right to Try” bill into law. Terminally ill patients will have access to drugs that have not won FDA approval for use but have passed the initial phase of review.

State revenue agency would receive $3.7M for capital projects under Rauner budget

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 15, 2018

Only 0.05 percent of the governor's 2019 capital budget request would fund Illinois Department of Revenue projects, according to a state analysis.

Coalition of Republican legislators and candidates pledge to change culture of corruption in Springfield

By Carrie Bradon | Jun 14, 2018

More than a dozen Republican legislators and candidates came together on June 10 to pledge to replace the current culture of corruption in the Illinois government with one of responsibility and accountability.

Wirepoints founder says BGA assessment of why residents are leaving Illinois distorts data

By Kyla Asbury | Jun 14, 2018

While Better Government Association (BGA), a nonpartisan watchdog group in Illinois, says residents are leaving the state for reasons other than taxes, Wirepoints calls the data distorted.

From Chambana Sun

Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group touts 'groundbreaking' legislation

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After 17 meetings, the Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group is setting new standards for state-funded schools.

BetterGov - how frugality impaired the Metra System

By LGIS News Service | Jun 14, 2018

BetterGov investigates how the Metra system is impacted by frugal spending, which has resulted in cars that are decades out of date.

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

By Angela Underwood | Jun 14, 2018

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than ever.

Public health agency would receive $16M for capital projects under Rauner budget

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 14, 2018

Just over two-tenths of a percent of the governor's 2019 capital budget request would fund Illinois Department of Public Health projects, according to a state analysis.

Natural resources agency would get $407.8M for capital projects under Rauner budget

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 14, 2018

Just over 5 percent of the governor's 2019 capital budget request would fund Illinois Department of Natural Resources projects, according to a state analysis.

Former Madigan operative accused of harassment still wields influence in Springfield

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 13, 2018

A former campaign aide to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) who was recently forced out after being accused of harassment is reported to still be reaping the benefits of his longtime relationship with the House speaker.

Military Affairs Department would receive $59.1M for capital projects under Rauner budget

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 13, 2018

About three-quarters of a percent of the governor's 2019 capital budget request would fund Illinois Department of Military Affairs projects, according to a state analysis.

Math & science academy would receive $3.7M for capital project under Rauner budget

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 13, 2018

Only 0.05 percent of the governor's 2019 capital budget request would fund an Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy project, according to a state analysis.