Prairie State Wire

No deal: Battle over allegedly rigged Illinois GOP vote moves forward in court

By LGIS News Service | May 21, 2018

A veteran Illinois GOP official who says Gov. Bruce Rauner's allies rigged a vote last month to unseat him will fight in court to get his job back.

BetterGov wins national award for investigative series on city colleges

By LGIS News Service | May 20, 2018

BetterGov has won the Education Writers Association award for “The Graduates*,” an investigation into questionable graduation rates touted by City Colleges of Chicago and Mayor Rahm Emanuel

From Carbondale Reporter

Bryant calls for SIU president's resignation after attempt to transfer $5 million to Edwardsville campus

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Apologizing for using explicit language during her point of personal privilege, Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) made one thing clear—Southern Illinois University (SIU) President Randy Dunn should resign immediately.

Watson: Empowered Labor: Setting the Stage for the NLRA

By Michael Watson | May 20, 2018

In early May, a group of pro-Big Labor Democrats led by self-described Democratic socialist former Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) introduced one of the most extreme economic policy proposals in recent history.

Reeder: “Can an innocent person really end up in prison?”

By Scott Reeder | May 20, 2018

Reeder: “Can an innocent person really end up in prison?”

Jesiel debates future protections offered by ERA amendment

By Angela Underwood | May 20, 2018

The proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the state's constitution that tied in a committee vote raised questions with Rep. Sheri Jesiel (R-Winthrop Harbor).

Raising property taxes not the solution to Illinois' financial problems, Dodge says

By Glenn Minnis | May 19, 2018

Jim Dodge can appreciate the efforts of anyone working to rescue Illinois from the depths of its financial doldrums, even if he doesn’t necessarily agree with the principle being put forth in the process.

Illinois unemployment achieves new low

By Carol Ostrow | May 19, 2018

Indicating an overall increase in job growth, statistics for April 2018 display the lowest unemployment rate in Illinois in the last dozen years, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced recently.

House floor fervently honors McCain

By Angela Underwood | May 19, 2018

Godspeed Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

From Quincy Reporter

Rauner announces $6 million partnership with Quincy for new well

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A $6 million partnership between Illinois and the City of Quincy is bringing fresh water to the veterans home.

Campaign spending on sports tickets 'unconscionable,' former 55th House District candidate says

By Glenn Minnis | May 18, 2018

Dan Gott doesn’t think a seat in Springfield should come down to how many game tickets legislators can offer to voters.

Wehrli, McDermed sponsor government ethics measure

By Glenn Minnis | May 18, 2018

A bill sponsored by Reps. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) and Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) that would amend the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act to sanction any legislator who engages in violations of legislator rules of conduct has been referred to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

Schneider, Shaw to serve as GOP co-chairs in deal that averts showdown

By W.J. Kennedy | May 18, 2018

In a surprise move, Republican state chairman Tim Schneider and his challenger, Mark Shaw, chairman of the Lake County Republicans, struck a deal to serve as state co-chairmen just a few days before party elections.

Democratic representatives sponsor racial impact bill

By Glenn Minnis | May 18, 2018

The Racial Impact Note Act pushed by a band of representatives in Springfield has been referred to a Rules Committee.

Senate bill letting school board workers to carry a firearm at work referred to committee

By Glenn Minnis | May 18, 2018

A bill that would allow school board employees to carry a firearm while on the job has been referred to the Assignments Committee in the Senate.

Analysis: College softball in Illinois grosses $19.6 million

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 18, 2018

DePaul University softball tops the list of highest grossing programs in Illinois, reporting more than $1.3 million – or $63,791 per athlete – in 2016, according to a Higher Education Tribune analysis of the latest federal data.

Rotheimer, Ives fight on for victims rights in Springfield

By W.J. Kennedy | May 17, 2018

The latest skirmish in the campaign victims rights activist Denise Rotheimer is waging, nearly single-handedly, to give rights to accusers in sexual harassment charges within the General Assembly erupted before the House Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination recently.

Illinois' vendor debt increases by $500 million

By Glenn Minnis | May 17, 2018

The State of Illinois' unpaid vendor debt jumped to $7,272,515,503.19 during the week ending May 16, an increase of roughly $500 million from the week before.

From Chambana Sun

Analysis: U of I fraternity, sorority property taxes rose 61 percent in two years

By LGIS Newsfeed | 7 years ago

Fifty-eight University of Illinois fraternities and sororities will pay $814,000 more in property taxes this year than they did in 2015, according to Champaign County Assessor data analyzed by the Chambana Sun.

Dodge sees need to address the issue of cities on brink of bankruptcy

By Glenn Minnis | May 17, 2018

Jim Dodge sees certain undeniable truths in Illinois’ ongoing struggles and uncertainties.