Prairie State Wire

Watchdogs - The 2019 Election: Candidate Guide for Illinois

By LGIS News Service | Aug 1, 2018

The The 2019 Illinois Election Candidate Guide from the Illinois State Board of Elections has been published.

IL Rising - How the federal tax cut will impact Illinois

By LGIS News Service | Aug 1, 2018

Heritage Foundation Policy Analyst Adam Michel joins the team to discuss tax reforms and how the federal tax cut will impact Illinois.

Dodge says merging treasurer, comptroller offices best for Illinois

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 1, 2018

Jim Dodge is willing to put his money where his mouth is when it comes to his commitment to saving Illinois taxpayers money.

From Chicago City Wire

Have you opted out of a public sector union? We want to hear about it

By Daniel Beauregard | 6 years ago

The U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that approximately 5 million government workers nationwide should not be forced to pay dues to public employee unions.

Former state school employee Flowers paid in $53K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $831K in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Aug 1, 2018

Former state school employee Donna Flowers, who retired in July 2018, saved $53,329 toward a pension over 14 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Dunn paid in $88K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $7.94M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Aug 1, 2018

Former state school employee Randy Dunn, who retired in July 2018, saved $87,580 toward a pension over 16 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

This week in Illinois history: Aug. 12-19

By Robert Hadley | Jul 30, 2018

A new city is formed, Adlai Stevenson becomes a presidential candidate again and Charles Comiskey of Comiskey Park fame was born on this date in Illinois history.

BetterGov's Greising: The bombardment of lowbrow campaign ads

By LGIS News Service | Jul 29, 2018

BetterGov's President David Greising opines about the glut of ads full of flash but lacking in substance.

BetterGov - Politics in Illinois becoming a playground for the rich

By LGIS News Service | Jul 29, 2018

BetterGov's Tim Jones examines how the top gubernatorial candidates bankroll their campaigns, which totals in the millions.

Seibler: Federal Court Hands Trump a Win, Brings Rogue Agency Under Tighter Control

By John-Michael Seibler | Jul 29, 2018

"You’re fired.” President Donald Trump will soon be able to use his famous catch phrase against the head of a troubled federal agency, the Fair Housing Finance Agency, which is led by a single Obama appointee with no meaningful oversight from the president.

Reeder: Is the customer always right?

By Scott Reeder | Jul 29, 2018

As a teenager I frequently was told “The customer is always right.” It’s not surprising that mantra was etched into my mind at an early age.

Vendor debt dips more than $1 billion

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 28, 2018

Vendor debt in Illinois slightly dipped to $7,600,646,100.19 during the week ending July 27, down from more than $7.79 billion the week before.

Ives considering legislation mandating employers notify all public employees about rights in light of Janus decision

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 27, 2018

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) surveyed cities and school districts in her legislative district asking how they plan to comply with June's U.S Supreme Court ruling that abolished 40 years of compulsory unionism.

Morning Answer - What are you willing to give up to live in Illinois?

By LGIS News Service | Jul 27, 2018

Morning Answer - What are you willing to give up to live in Illinois?

IL Rising - Rauner losing both Republicans and Democrats on abortion stance

By LGIS News Service | Jul 26, 2018

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Member Kristen McQueary joins the team to discuss the policies that could affect the coming governor's race in November. Chief among them: abortion.

Dodge says Mautino should resign, corruption keeping embattled Illinois Auditor General in office

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 26, 2018

Jim Dodge reasons Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino now facing a federal investigation for campaign finance violations speaks to the way House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) has long held control over the state.

Plaintiff in Supreme Court case against union fees becomes advocate for Liberty Justice Center

By Chandra Lye | Jul 26, 2018

Mark Janus, the plaintiff who won a landmark Supreme Court case regarding the payment of obligatory union fees for public service workers, is joining the Liberty Justice Center and the Illinois Policy Institute as an advocate and spokesperson for workers’ rights.

BetterGov's Doubek on how to tackle the transparency deficit in government

By LGIS News Service | Jul 25, 2018

Recently, two public executives - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President David St. Pierre and Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn - were dismissed from their positions. They took with them thousands of dollars in severance deals funded by taxpayers, who were mostly left in the dark.

Cook Political Report rates governor's race as 'Lean Democrat'

By Kasey Schefflin- Emrich | Jul 25, 2018

The Cook Political Report has changed its Illinois Governor race rating to “Lean Democrat.”

Reform Republicans gather to discuss Illinois leadership, propose change

By Chandra Lye | Jul 25, 2018

Republican legislators and former candidates recently held a press conference to put forward their ideas for a change in leadership to renew the state’s political climate.