Prairie State Wire

BetterGov's Doubek suggests opening up the primary and ballots

By LGIS News Service | Mar 26, 2018

Add Teaser here

BetterGov compares Illinois' ballot procedure to other states

By LGIS News Service | Mar 26, 2018

Add Teaser here

Illinois' net worth takes a $9.9 billion hit

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 26, 2018

The state of Illinois lost $9.9 billion in net worth in 2017, dropping its “total primary government net position” to negative $137 billion, according to the state’s newly released Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2017.

From Will County Gazette

Rauner win prompts Republican Hispanic group's state chairman to step down

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Yvonne Sencial Bolton has resigned her post as Illinois chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly in protest over Gov. Bruce Rauner’s GOP primary victory.

McSweeney: Poll shows how much Rauner needs conservatives in November

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 26, 2018

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is starting the general election campaign down 22 points to Democrat J.B. Pritzker, according to an Ogden & Fry survey released last week. More alarming for Rauner: the survey found 33 percent were favorable and 63 percent were unfavorable, compared with 45 percent favorable to 47 percent unfavorable for Pritzker.

Rauner victim of disorganized thinking, GOP political analyst says

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 26, 2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner startled many of the Republican faithful late last week when he insisted he still has no social agenda as he heads into his general election race against Democrat J.B. Pritzker.

Annual report: Which school districts in Illinois are in the worst financial shape?

By Local Labs News Service | Mar 26, 2018

School districts in Will, Franklin and Bureau counties received the lowest financial ratings in Illinois by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for their 2017 finances.

25 biggest spenders: What Illinois counties rank highest?

By Local Labs News Service | Mar 26, 2018

LaSalle, Monroe and Pike counties top the list in Illinois with the highest spending per capita in 2016, Illinois State Comptroller financial reports show.

BetterGov's Shaw: Illinois Primary reveals election flaws that need fixin'

By LGIS News Service | Mar 25, 2018

BetterGov's Andy Shaw examines the tumultuous Illinois primary election and examines the results

Rizzo keeps game in perspective after shooting at Florida alma mater

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 23, 2018

Anthony Rizzo still wants the Chicago Cubs to win more than ever, but he no longer sees the games as a matter of life and death.

Hampton sues Illinois Democratic Party, claims reporting harassment affected her career

By Angela Underwood | Mar 23, 2018

Alaina Hampton will be heard no matter what it takes.

Illinois' debt crisis fast changing and difficult to keep up with, fiscal advocate finds

By Karen Kidd | Mar 23, 2018

With Illinois' interest penalties alone approaching $1 billion, Truth in Accounting Director of Research Bill Bergman is wondering who is servicing the state's debt, an area where things can change very fast.

Morning Answer - Rep. Jeanne Ives drops by to discuss the primary results

By LGIS News Service | Mar 22, 2018

Morning Answer - Rep. Jeanne Ives drops by to discuss the primary results

Morning Answer - U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam joins Dan and Amy with reaction to the Illinois primary results

By LGIS News Service | Mar 22, 2018

Morning Answer - U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam joins Dan and Amy with reaction to the Illinois primary results

State's vendor debt falls to $8.2 billion

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 22, 2018

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt dipped to $8,233,952,365.72 during the week ending March 21, a drop of nearly $500 million from the previous week, the state comptroller's office said.

Annual financial profiles rank Illinois school districts' financial health

By Local Labs News Service | Mar 22, 2018

This year, 640 Illinois school districts achieved "financial recognition" by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for their 2017 finances. The designation means these schools scored highest in financial strength metrics.

From Higher Education Tribune

585,402 U.S. borrowers in default on student loans

By Higher Education Tribune | 6 years ago

University of Phoenix, Everest University and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana University had the most students who defaulted on school loans they started repaying in 2014, according to the latest disclosure from the U.S. Department of Education.

BetterGov fact check: Rauner cites own remarks as proof of outside support for election night claim

By LGIS News Service | Mar 21, 2018

BetterGov investigates on the truth of Rauner stating that “newspapers have framed this election as my fight against the Illinois mafia. But it’s really the people versus the Illinois mafia.”

Primary proved to be a rough road for some incumbents

By Robert Davis | Mar 21, 2018

In the midst of what Democrats are hoping will be a "Blue Wave" of elections this year, incumbents in Illinois faced opposition from voters because many of them voted for a 32 percent state income tax hike last year.

Thiessen: I’m not unhappy Rick Saccone seems to have lost

By Marc Thiessen | Mar 21, 2018

I am a rock-ribbed conservative who wants Republicans to keep control of Congress. But I’m not unhappy that Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone appears to have lost the special election in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District.