Prairie State Wire

$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.

This week in Illinois history: July 9-15

By Robert Hadley | Jun 25, 2018

Learn about the first open-heart surgery, the Scopes Trial and the launch of Streeterville, all of which happened this week in Illinois history.

People in prime working age are fleeing Illinois, think tank reports

By Karen Kidd | Jun 25, 2018

Not only is Illinois' overall population in deep decline, the number of people in prime working age also is going down in the state, a Chicago-based Conservative think tank said in a recent report.

Private colleges in Illinois report 4.5 percent of borrowers defaulted on student loans

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 25, 2018

Three colleges in Chicago had the highest default rates among private colleges in Illinois for borrowers who started repaying student loans in 2014 and defaulted on those loans by the end of 2016, according to a Higher Education Tribune analysis.

Dabrowski: Magicians: How Illinois politicians made $1.2 billion in budget deficits disappear

By Ted Dabrowski, Wirepoints | Jun 24, 2018

If you want to understand Illinois’ corrupt budget making process, take the example of how the legislature just “cleaned up” some of its unaccounted-for budget deficits.

OPINION: It's up to state legislators to stop gerrymandering

By Rep. David S. Olsen (R-Illlinois) and Sen. Frank LaRose (R-Ohio) | Jun 24, 2018

"By designing districts for partisan advantage, we send the message that winning elections is more important than upholding democracy."

Illinois unpaid vendor debt dips below $7 billion

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 24, 2018

The state’s unpaid vendor debt trickled down during the week ending June 22, finishing at $6,838,969,832.77.

Analysis: 28 percent of mortgages in Piatt County considered ‘equity-rich’

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 23, 2018

Among Illinois counties, Piatt, Moultrie and Monroe had the highest percentage of property owners with mortgages who have at least 50 percent equity in their homes, according to an analysis by ATTOM Data Solutions looking at home equity at the end of the first quarter.