Prairie State Wire

Illinois GOP chairman: U.S. Senate should stop impeachment of Trump

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 30, 2019

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider called on the U.S. Senate to quickly put an end to what he sees as the House’s direct attack on the Constitution with its impeachment of President Donald Trump.

From West Central Reporter

Report: Conservative Party spends $168,000 in mystery payroll expenses

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

The list of questions for former Conservative Party of Illinois gubernatorial candidate William “Sam” McCann just got longer.

Former Trump advisor Moore to Keynote Reagan Day event in Downers Grove

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 24, 2019

Stephen Moore, former senior economic adviser to President Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign, will serve as the keynote speaker at the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization’s Reagan Day Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m on Jan. 23 at Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove.

CHESNEY: Despite rancorous rhetoric in national politics, many in public service focused on helping their neighbors

By State Rep. Andrew Chesney (R–Freeport) | Dec 22, 2019

As we bring 2019 to a close, I cannot help but think of one of our society’s favorite pieces of literature, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

REEDER: I was told the key to being a good Santa is being non-committal

By Scott Reeder | Dec 22, 2019

I’ve been a journalist for more than 30 years and have found myself writing about St. Nicholas, the jolly old elf, several times.

ILGOP chairman calls impeachment proceedings 'unconscionable'

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 21, 2019

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider has seen enough.

Wirepoints: State lawmakers can learn from the mistakes of a failed retailer

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 20, 2019

A recent article by Illinois state government watchdog Wirepoints asserts that lawmakers in Springfield could take a cue from beleaguered Sears Co., in particular from the one-time local “king of retailers'” fall from grace over the past decade.

New taxes enough to drive Illinois motorists over the edge, IPI reports

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 20, 2019

Illinois taxpayers face a bevy of new taxes and increased fees to kick off the new year, including at least five in the areas of driving, parking, registering and selling their vehicles.

Former Rep. Ives says Madigan raid spotlights state of Illinois politics

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 19, 2019

Former Rep. Jeanne Ives is convinced Illinois voters might be even more outraged about the direction of the state if they were privy to an up-close look of how Springfield actually operates.

IDNR: Announces Snowmobile Trail Grant Recipients

By Press release submission | Dec 19, 2019

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced $597,742 in grant funding for development, rehabilitation, operations, and maintenance for snowmobile trail projects in the state through the Illinois Snowmobile Grant Program (SNOW) and the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Grant Program (STEF).

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR'S OFFICE: Gov. Pritzker Calls on Illinois to Become Best State in Nation for Families Raising Young Children

By Press release submission | Dec 18, 2019

Governor Increases Reimbursements to Child Care Providers, Appoints 29 Members to Newly Created Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding

New Jersey Democrat switches allegiance, joins GOP

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 17, 2019

Congressional candidate Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) views U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew's (D-New Jersey) decision to leave his party for the GOP as a sign of the times.

IDOI: Illinois Department of Insurance Encourages Consumers to Take Advantage of Deadline Extension for ACA Open Enrollment

By Press release submission | Dec 17, 2019

Consumers now have until December 18th to enroll

IDNR: Awards Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants

By Press release submission | Dec 17, 2019

Federal funding assists rural fire departments with equipment purchases

McSweeney jumps into Brady/Plummer dispute over gaming interests while watchdogs urge ethics reform

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 16, 2019

State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) pumped more life into a dust-up between two legislative colleagues over the limited disclosure required of lawmakers with financial interests in the gaming industry.

IDOA: Reisch Charities Donates $10,000 to Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation

By Press release submission | Dec 16, 2019

Food-A-Rama to be Renamed Reisch Pavilion

Use of firearm owners' fees misrepresented by state, ISRA lobbyists charge

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 16, 2019

Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) Executive Director Richard Pearson is blasting the recent discovery that nearly $30 million generated from FOID (firearms owners identification) card applications and fees from the Illinois Concealed Carry License (ICCL) program are being used for general state spending.

Wirepoints: Illinois has 'not set aside a penny' to cover $68 billion in retiree health benefits

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 16, 2019

Retiree health benefits for government workers in Illinois have grown by more than 70 percent over the last decade, leaving the state on the hook for upward of $68 billion in unpaid benefits.

Illinois’ construction industry remains on shaky ground a decade after recession

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 13, 2019

Oak Park Village Trustee Jim Dodge wants to renew voters' faith in the future of Illinois so they are more likely to join the fight to rebuild a failing state government.

Illegal immigrant charged with killing Normal’s Corey Cottrell free a month before victim’s family learns he’s out

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 12, 2019

The legal system is compounding the grief of the family of Corey Cottrell, the 39-year-old Normal resident struck and killed in Bloomington last June 22 by a van allegedly driven by illegal immigrant Jose Rodriguez.