Prairie State Wire

Report: Hickey offers Ill. Speaker’s Office workplace culture feedback, recommendations

By Rich Peters | Aug 31, 2019

As part of her investigation, Maggie Hickey and her Schiff Hardin LLP investigative team sought to learn about the Speaker’s Office’s workplace culture, identify any issues and recommend ways to address any issues.

Report: Timothy Mapes “held substantial actual and perceived authority” and “used fear to motivate”

By Rich Peters | Aug 31, 2019

At a June 6, 2018 press conference in Chicago, account technician Sherri Garrett made several allegations against Timothy Mapes, who was – at the time – the Chief of Staff for the Illinois Speaker’s Office.

Report: Lack of evidence, cooperation excuses Rep. Lang from any wrongdoings

By Rich Peters | Aug 30, 2019

At a press conference on May 31, 2018, Activist Maryann Loncar made several public allegations against then-Illinois Rep. Lou Lang.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Announces First "Same-Site" Licenses for Adult Use Cannabis

By Press release submission | Aug 30, 2019

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced Thursday the first "Same Site" adult use cannabis licenses, which will allow an existing medical cannabis dispensary to obtain an adult use dispensing license.

Report doesn't find enough evidence of harassment of Rep. Cassidy, but deems allegations reasonable

By Rich Peters | Aug 30, 2019

After more than a year of outside investigation, a report has been released surrounding claims of sexual harassment and overall workplace cultural issues within the Illinois House of Representatives, Office of the Speaker. This is Part 3 of a report on the 202-page document.

Former state Rep. Breen launches Fair Maps initiative

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 30, 2019

Former state Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) is leading the charge for a constitutional amendment on the 2020 ballot that would create fair legislative maps for Illinois, launching a new website today.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES: Illinois Medicaid department announces 40 new dementia care sites throughout state

By Press release submission | Aug 29, 2019

Nearly 1600 Medicaid members with dementia will have the opportunity to live in newly expanding settings that offer the services and safety they need, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced. They will be part of forty sites throughout Illinois.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: Cap your end-of-summer celebration with a sober ride home

By Press release submission | Aug 28, 2019

With the last long weekend of summer almost here, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 160 local law enforcement agencies are stepping up to keep our roads safe and remind everyone that impaired driving is literally a matter of "Life or Death."

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: Illinois Enterprise Zone Board Approves 14 Enterprise Zones to go into Effect in 2020

By Press release submission | Aug 27, 2019

The Illinois Enterprise Zone Board approved fourteen applications to establish or renew enterprise zones received for evaluation this year.

Hinsdale District 86 silent on father’s allegation it promoted confused child’s gender switch

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 27, 2019

A spokesperson for Hinsdale District 86 had no response to a father’s claim that the high school district ignored the pleas of him and his wife to stop treating their 14-year-old daughter as a boy.

Gonzales attorney believes evidence overlooked during Madigan case

By Colin Froment | Aug 27, 2019

An attorney of Jason Gonzales speaks out following Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan being awarded a summary judgement motion amidst allegations that Madigan tampered with the 2016 March 2016 Primary Democratic Election ballot.

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR'S OFFICE: Gov. Pritzker Expands Insurance Coverage for Mammograms, Other Breast Cancer Screenings

By Press release submission | Aug 26, 2019

Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation today expanding health insurance coverage for mammograms and other breast cancer screenings.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY: State of Illinois Recognized at CIO 100 Symposium with Innovation and Technology Award

By Press release submission | Aug 23, 2019

Mobile Case Management Application Brings Benefits for DCFS Field Staff

Report: Hostile atmosphere, sexual harassment pervaded Reps' Office of the Speaker

By Rich Peters | Aug 23, 2019

The report evaluating the workplace of the Office of the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives was not supposed to be partisan – but, the writers said, there was no escaping the fact that during the time period in question, Democrats controlled the office.

Report on workplace culture at Madigan's Office of Speaker: Fear of retaliation 'major' concern of people surveyed

By Rich Peters | Aug 22, 2019

After more than a year of outside investigation, a 202-page report has been released surrounding claims of sexual harassment and overall workplace cultural issues within the Illinois House of Representatives, Office of the Speaker.

From Chicago City Wire

Illinois Republican Party releases petition calling for Sandoval to resign over controversial fundraiser photos

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

The Illinois Republican Party stated in a blog post that it is "demanding" that state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) step down in the wake of a growing scandal over photos of a man posed with a fake rifle pointed at person in a costume of President Donald Trump wearing traditional Mexican clothing at one of his fundraisers.

Read full report on sexual harassment into Madigan's office, Democratic leadership

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 22, 2019

The Democratic machine headed by longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan seemingly has always operated by its own rules.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: Applaud Governor Pritzker Bill Action

By Press release submission | Aug 22, 2019

Governor JB Pritzker signed critical legislation today to extend Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) protections to all employees across Illinois.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: New Website Launched for Jane Byrne Interchange

By Press release submission | Aug 21, 2019

The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the debut of www.JaneByrneInterchange.org, a new-and-improved website for the Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction.

State spending 36 percent of money allocated for education on pension costs

By Colin Froment | Aug 20, 2019

Illinois Policy recently released a new study detailing how pension costs are negatively impacting budgets throughout the state’s school districts.