| Prairie State Wire

Dodge blames Springfield corruption, complacency for CPS sexual abuse scandal

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 14, 2018

Jim Dodge thinks the Chicago Public School (CPS) system epitomizes everything that’s’ wrong with the Illinois government after the Chicago Tribune found approximately 40 students have been sexually abused over the last ten years.

Inaugural KIDS findings show 42 percent of kindergarteners lack key skills

By Megan Sims | Aug 14, 2018

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently released data from its new statewide kindergarten readiness program.

Rauner vows to make Illinois the top state for black businesses

By Angela Underwood | Aug 14, 2018

Speaking at the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce's (ILBCC) annual gathering on Aug. 8, Gov. Bruce Rauner said he was honored to be the recipient of the 2018 Alfred A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received earlier this summer.

Borrowers in default on student loans after attending colleges in Illinois

By LGIS Newsfeed | Aug 14, 2018

American Intercontinental University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and Northern Illinois University are among four-year universities in Illinois that reported borrowers defaulting on school loans they started repaying in 2014, according to a Higher Education Tribune analysis of federal data.

Report: Which Illinois communities saw the most fires in 2017?

By LGIS Newsfeed | Aug 14, 2018

Sauget Fire District, Bedford Park Fire District and Smithboro Fire Protection District reported responding to the most fire-related incidents per capita in 2017, according to the latest state report.

Harris, other lawmakers discuss bill expanding student data security

By Angela Underwood | Aug 12, 2018

Lawmakers recently discussed legislation designed to protect student data and privacy during the House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and IT Committee Hearing on Aug. 7.

Illinois' unpaid vendor debt surpasses $8 billion

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 12, 2018

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt jumped above $8 billion during the week ending Aug. 10, a rise of roughly $500 million after several weeks of hovering in the neighborhood of more than $7 billion.

Reeder: Confederate flags

By Scott Reeder | Aug 9, 2018

When I saw the two Confederate flags flapping from the bed of a pickup last week, I groaned.

Dodge calls for more transparency in state finances, pension costs

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 9, 2018

Jim Dodge is convinced there’s a good reason lawmakers in Springfield work so hard to keep the way the state’s pension system truly operates cloaked in such high-level secrecy.

Moving survey shows outmigration up in Illinois

By Robert Hadley | Aug 9, 2018

Illinois ranks fourth nationwide in terms of outmigration, according to recent data from Stevens Worldwide Van Lines.

IL Rising - Springfield's forfeiture of ethics

By LGIS News Service | Aug 8, 2018

Rep. Jeanne Ives joins the team to discuss Springfield's culture of harassment and indecency. How change it be changed?

Ives supporters blocked on Twitter, called right-wing “propaganda bots”

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 8, 2018

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) wonders what would compel a social media company with worldwide reach to zoom its focus on a local, primary election.

Opportunity Zones May Create More Opportunities for Investors and Syndicators Than Distressed Communities

By Steven M. Rosenthal | Aug 5, 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) created a new tax-advantaged Opportunity Zone program to encourage investments in economically-distressed communities that are nominated by governors and certified by the Treasury Department.

Reeder: Unfunded mandates

By Scott Reeder | Aug 5, 2018

For decades, the two dirtiest words in Illinois education were “unfunded mandates.”

This week in Illinois history: Aug. 20-26

By Robert Hadley | Aug 3, 2018

During this week in history, read about how the first Lincoln-Douglas debate occurred, as well as how an earthquake toppled chimneys a century ago, and how a fake news report of an athlete's death propelled her career to greater heights.

Wheeler appointed to House Republican Leadership Team

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 2, 2018

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has appointed Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) to a House GOP leadership position.

Employment discrimination bill seen as necessary by some, burdensome by others

By Angela Underwood | Aug 2, 2018

While one Democratic lawmaker fights for House Bill 4572, major employer organizations say the legislation is bad for business.

Rauner signs law providing more funding for police officers and their families

By Angela Underwood | Aug 2, 2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed House BIll 5513 into law, which provides additional funds for police officers and families.

Supreme Court's Janus decision could mean more money for employees

By Carrie Bradon | Aug 2, 2018

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCMF), public sector workers now have more of a choice when it comes to their involvement in unions.

Dodge sees voter frustration with lack of transparency in Springfield

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 1, 2018

Jim Dodge, the Republican candidate for state treasurer, is not the least bit surprised that such a huge percentage of the state’s property tax largesse lies in the hands of such a concentrated few.

Prairie State Wire

News from 2018