Prairie State Wire

Report: Rauner's $7.8B capital budget mostly funds transportation, commerce, environmental protection projects

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 29, 2018

Under Gov. Bruce Rauner's $7.8 billion capital budget proposal, the Illinois Department of Transportation would receive $2.7 billion and two other agencies would receive more than $1 billion each toward capital projects.

Illinois gaming legislation to allow for more gambling stuck in committee

By Angela Underwood | May 28, 2018

State Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) had the House Executive Committee’s full attention Monday over non-riverboat gaming legislation.

From West Central Reporter

GOP officials fight against getting rid of prisoner co-pay

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Teaching incarcerated individuals responsibility and being fair to Illinois taxpayers are key, according to Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford).

House unanimously passes workplace safety bill for healthcare professionals

By Angela Underwood | May 28, 2018

Workplace safety for healthcare professionals is a priority for the state House of Representatives.

Breen, other GOP lawmakers question spending $16 million without revenue estimate

By Angela Underwood | May 28, 2018

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) wanted to know why the House was voting on a $16 million program without the budget revenue estimate.

GOP members pay their respects during annual Memorial Day tribute

By Angela Underwood | May 28, 2018

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo), Senate Minority Leader William Brady (R-Bloomington) and Gov. Bruce Rauner reminded Illinoisans of the ultimate sacrifice made by soldiers at a Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance ceremony last week.

Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch holds rally in Springfield calling for lawsuit reform

By Marian Johns | May 28, 2018

Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch (I-LAW), a grassroots legal watchdog group, recently held a rally in the state capital to call attention to legislators' inaction on putting forth meaningful lawsuit reforms.

Report: Which school districts have the most administrators?

By Local Labs News Service | May 28, 2018

Public school districts in Madison, LaSalle and Bureau counties reported the smallest student-to-administrator ratios in Illinois, according to the latest Illinois Schools Report Card.

OPINION: What the Supreme Court's ruling in Janus v. AFSCME could mean

By Daniel DiSalvo | May 27, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon rule in Janus v. AFSCME, the most important government labor-relations case in nearly a half-century. At issue is whether public employee unions in 22 states, including Pennsylvania, can charge “agency fees” without violating the First Amendment rights of workers who don’t want to be union members.

House honors fallen military members for Memorial Day

By Angela Underwood | May 26, 2018

At the May 23 House floor debate of HR1119, which honors those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, President Abraham Lincoln’s words from the Gettysburg Address filled the chamber.

Illinois State Rifle Association director notes 2 bills group considers anti-gun

By Robert Hadley | May 25, 2018

Even after the General Assembly wraps up its spring session, Second Amendment rights could still face attack, according to Richard A. Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA).

Expansion of short-term insurance policies might mean increased premiums

By Kyla Asbury | May 25, 2018

The expansion of short-term, limited-duration (STLD) insurance policies might mean a loss of coverage and an increase in premiums for some Illinois residents, according to a report released by the Urban Institute earlier this year.

2 measures sponsored by McSweeney adressing sexual harassment pass General Assembly

By Marian Johns | May 25, 2018

Two separate bills that address the issue of sexual harassment have passed unanimously in the Illinois House and Senate.

Illinois Finance Authority expansion a bad idea, say 2 GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | May 25, 2018

Three Republican lawmakers debated at length over expanding the authority of the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA).

House passes $63 million bill for state employee back pay without a revenue estimate

By Angela Underwood | May 25, 2018

Why would a Democrat appropriate for $63 million in this fiscal budget when there still isn’t a revenue estimate? That was the question some Republican lawmakers asked Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Smithton) at the Thursday House floor debate when he backed HB4290, which pays the oldest Prairie State bill.

As Senate advances gun control to House, Illinois State Rifle Association questions bill's relevancy

By Jeff Hawkins | May 25, 2018

The Illinois State House Judiciary-Criminal Committee voted Thursday 8-3 in favor of passing State Amendendment 3 to Senate Bill 337, which promotes gun safety and control by providing additional regulations affecting gun stores.

Catholic Conference, other pro-life groups issue budget vote warning to stop taxpayer-funded abortions

By Glenn Minnis | May 25, 2018

Catholic Conference of Illinois Executive President Robert Gilligan is asking lawmakers to stand up for the values he thinks most of their constituents support when it comes to taxpayer-funded abortions.

Analysis: Chicago metro area has highest foreclosure rates among Illinois urban areas

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 25, 2018

Kendall County in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the highest foreclosure rate for Illinois MSAs during the first quarter of the year, according to an ATTOM Data Solutions analysis of property data.

Illinois vendor debt drops below $7 billion

By Glenn Minnis | May 24, 2018

Unpaid vendor debt in Illinois slipped to $6,963,894,706.68 during the week ending May 23, down from last week’s close of $7,272,515,503.19.

Cabello criticizes Carroll at death-penalty hearing

By Angela Underwood | May 24, 2018

Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney) said the recent hearing over the reinstated death penalty was simply a dog and pony show.