Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Gun owners urged to attend Feb. 25 meeting with Willis

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 20, 2019

The Illinois State Rifle Association is urging its members to turn out for a meeting with state Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) set for Feb. 25 at the Addison Public Library.

Michael Hansen's nomination to position with the Illinois Gaming Board withdrawn

By Local Labs News Service | Feb 20, 2019

Michael Hansen's nomination to be member of the Illinois Gaming Board was withdrawn on Feb. 19, according to the official Illinois General Assembly website.

ILLINOIS' 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Rush Announces Legislative Hearing on Clean Energy Infrastructure and the Workforce to Build It

By Press release submission | Feb 20, 2019

Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) and Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) announced that the Energy Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on the Blue Collar to Green Collar Jobs Development Act of 2019, on Wednesday, February 27, at 10:30 am in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The legislative hearing is entitled “Clean Energy Infrastructure and the Workforce to Build It.”

Sen. Oberweis eyes 2020 run for U.S. House

By Robert Hadley | Feb 19, 2019

Although a clerical error indicated state Sen. Jim Oberweis would be running for the U.S. Senate in 2020, he instead has his sights on the 14th District U.S. House seat currently held by Democrat Lauren Underwood.

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR'S OFFICE: Gov. Pritzker Appoints IDHS, IDNR, IDFPR Leadership

By Press release submission | Feb 19, 2019

Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following personnel appointments

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER: Signs Historic Minimum Wage Legislation Giving 1.4 Million Illinoisans a Raise

By Press release submission | Feb 19, 2019

After Nearly a Decade Without a Raise, Illinois Becomes First State in Midwest to Phase in $15 Minimum Wage

State, federal EPA at odds over Sterigenics shutdown

By Kyla Asbury | Feb 18, 2019

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. EPA are at odds regarding the shutdown of portions of Sterigenics in Willowbrook.

House committee recommends two school-related bills

By Kyla Asbury | Feb 18, 2019

The House Elementary & Secondary Education School Curriculum and Policies Committee voted to report favorably to the House about two bills on Thursday: House Bill 921 and House Bill 922.

Coalition wants Brookfield Zoo added to capital funding bill

By Kyla Asbury | Feb 18, 2019

The Brookfield Zoo: Needed Infrastructure for Compassionate Education (B-NICE) coalition called on lawmakers during a press conference Wednesday to add funding for the zoo to a new capital funding bill.

Progressive Caucus forms in Illinois House

By Kyla Asbury | Feb 18, 2019

A press conference was held Thursday to announce the formation of the official Progressive Caucus in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Bill hiking minimum wage passes House after Labor and Commerce Committee sends it along

By Kyla Asbury | Feb 18, 2019

The House Labor and Commerce Committee voted on Wednesday to send a bill to raising the minimum wage in the state to $15 per hour over six years to the House of Representatives, which approved it on Thursday.

IEPA orders shutdown of Sterigenics' Willowbrook facility

By Karen Kidd | Feb 15, 2019

Months after area protesters called for the closure of Sterigenics' Willowbrook facility over allegedly elevated ethylene oxide emissions, an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) official earlier today ordered the facility shut down.

Minimum wage hike bill passes House

By Kyla Asbury | Feb 15, 2019

The House voted to pass the minimum wage bill Thursday evening, meaning the bill has now cleared both the House and the Senate.

Ideas Illinois chair: Legislators should release their own tax returns

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 15, 2019

Greg Baise is desperately trying to make sense of all the tax madness.

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER: Announces New Appointment to IDVA Leadership

By Press release submission | Feb 15, 2019

Governor JB Pritzker announced a new appointment to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, nominating Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head the agency.