Prairie State Wire

State's whopping debt load reaches $7.76 billion

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 23, 2018

The Illinois vendor debt increased for the week that ended Sept. 21, finishing at $7,767,600,175.05.

POPE: How the GOP Fixed the Worst of Obamacare

By Chris Pope | Sep 23, 2018

In 2010, the backlash to the Affordable Care Act helped give Republicans the largest midterm election gains in 72 years.

REEDER: Let’s just listen to what Ford and Kavanaugh have to say and then decide

By Scott Reeder | Sep 22, 2018

While I usually vote Republican, I have few good things to say about Donald Trump. He doesn’t reflect the kindness this nation is known for. But I do like his first pick for the U.S. Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch. His conservative legal philosophy reflects mine.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Tickborne Heartland Virus Case In Illinois

By Press release submission | Sep 21, 2018

Illinois Department of Public Health continue to take steps to avoid tick bites

College football earned $117 million for Illinois schools in 2016

By LGIS Newsfeed | Sep 21, 2018

Northwestern University football brought in $375,549 per athlete in revenue in 2016, making it the highest-grossing football program in Illinois that year, according to a Prairie State Wire analysis of U.S. Department of Education data.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES: Illinois awarded $29 million to fight opioid crisis

By Press release submission | Sep 20, 2018

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is receiving nearly $29 million in new federal funding to help the state fight the opioid crisis.

Dodge believes Madigan's financial contributions will determine votes for House Speaker

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 19, 2018

Jim Dodge is hoping that Mike Madigan’s predictability will be a huge factor at the ballot box in November.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES: IDNR Asks Hunters, Landowners to Report Suspected Cases of EHD in Deer

By Press release submission | Sep 19, 2018

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has received reports of 55 suspected cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in white-tailed deer so far in 2018, with EHD appearing at low to moderate levels in counties on or near the Illinois River including Fulton, McDonough, Peoria and Putnam.

From Chicago City Wire

House committee discusses African-American infant, mother mortality rates

By Kyla Asbury | 6 years ago

The House Healthcare Availability and Accessibility Committee recently held a hearing regarding the high rates of maternal and infant mortality in the African-American community in Illinois.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: Final week to vote for IDOT project as best in nation

By Press release submission | Sep 18, 2018

Less than one week remains to vote for the Illinois Department of Transportation's Interstate 55-Lake Shore Drive interchange reconstruction as the country's top transportation project.

Rauner vows to rid Illinois of corruption if re-elected

By Kyla Asbury | Sep 17, 2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner said in an address on Sept. 13 that November's gubernatorial election isn't about him, but about the people versus a corrupt political machine.

Senate subcommittee in Energy Innovation holds hearing on artificial intelligence

By Kyla Asbury | Sep 16, 2018

The Senate subcommittee on Energy Innovation recently held a hearing within the energy sector regarding artificial intelligence (AI).

Analysis: Tazewell County has lowest home affordability in state

By LGIS Newsfeed | Sep 16, 2018

Tazewell County posted the lowest home affordability index in Illinois, according to an analysis of 432 counties nationwide by ATTOM Data Solutions in the second quarter.

MURRAY: U.S. should re-engage with World Trade Organization for everyone's sake

By Iain Murray | Sep 15, 2018

Last week, President Trump threatened to pull out of the World Trade Organization, which he called “the single worst trade deal ever made.”

REEDER: I feel isolated from the ideas being expressed by either political party

By Scott Reeder | Sep 15, 2018

I don’t feel much like being a Republican or a Democrat.

Dodge says lawmakers no longer represent Illinoisans, they will continue to inflame financial woes

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 14, 2018

Jim Dodge is convinced Springfield is its own worst enemy in the fight to keep Illinois a destination state.

Analysis: Northwestern University football revenue per player ranks 36th in nation

By LGIS Newsfeed | Sep 14, 2018

Northwestern University football earns an average of $375,549 per player annually – the 36th highest rate in the nation – according to a Prairie State Wire analysis of federal education data.

ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: IEMA Highlights Role of Volunteers in Disasters

By Press release submission | Sep 14, 2018

Volunteers assist with preparedness, response and recovery

State debt decreases for fourth straight week

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 13, 2018

Illinois vendor debt dipped downward to $7,373,604,402.47 during the week ending Sept. 14.

ILLINOIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR EVELYN SANGUINETTI: Lt. Governor hails Rockford treatment program as key tool in Illinois' effort to combat opioid epidemic

By Press release submission | Sep 13, 2018

State expands successful Winnebago County Jail program to other counties