Prairie State Wire

ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: The Time to Prepare is Now

By Press release submission | Jan 17, 2019

Another Round of Cold, Snow Takes Aim at Northern and Central Illinois

Ives: former Rep. David Harris "will get along well with Gov. Pritzker" as director of revenue

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 16, 2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has appointed former state Rep. David Harris, a Republican of Arlington Heights, state revenue director.

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER: Strengthens Working Families with Actions for Higher Wages and Protections on First Full Day in Office

By Press release submission | Jan 15, 2019

Standing with Working Families, Gov. Pritzker Takes Critical First Steps, Including Women’s Pay Equity, Prosecuting Wage Theft, Using Project Labor Agreements, Requiring Prevailing Wage and Promoting Diversity in State Contracts and Moving Employees to Appropriate Steps

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER: To Make Government More Transparent with 'Back to Basics' First Executive Order

By Press release submission | Jan 15, 2019

EO 2019-01 to Ensure Compliance with State Statutes, Transparency Laws and Data Publishing Requirements

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES: Illinois State Museum Wins Leader Institution of the Year Award

By Press release submission | Jan 15, 2019

The Illinois Association of Museums has recognized the Illinois State Museum as the Leader Institution of the Year (2018), one of the association's "Awards of Distinction" that recognize excellence in the museum field, the highest honor given by the IAM.

Ives says GOP should not be listening to Rauner

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 14, 2019

Former Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Republican from Wheaton, hardly sees former Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose last day in office was today, as the man most qualified to offer advice about the party’s direction.

Ethics should be new governor's first priority, Crain's Chicago Business says

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 14, 2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is being called on to make ethics a first order of business for his new administration.

OPINION: Why is our state saddled with such State House mediocrities?

By Jeffrey Leef | Jan 14, 2019

Shameless is a story about a hopelessly dysfunctional family led by a soulless father whose greed and own selfish desires exacerbate the poor behavior of the miscreants who surround him.

Outgoing Ives worries about transparency in school board-teacher negotiations

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 11, 2019

Jan. 8 marked the end of the 100th General Assembly in Springfield, and almost certainly the end of any chance at transparency in contract negotiations between Illinois school districts and the all-powerful, politically connected teachers’ unions, says an outgoing legislator.

Radio caller says Illinois corruption is thoroughly entrenched

By Karen Kidd | Jan 11, 2019

The resignation earlier this week of longtime Illinois House Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) is a part of "bipartisan corruption" throughout the state that Illinoisans can do nothing about but flee, a well-known conservative radio talk show caller said during a recent interview.

State lawmakers feeling pressure to pass gas tax hike, IPI warns

By Karen Kidd | Jan 11, 2019

Springfield lawmakers are being pressured to add 20 to 30 cents to Illinois's gas tax, which could make it the highest fuel tax in the nation, a Chicago-based conservative think tank reported earlier this month.

ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: Illinois EPA and DuPage County Health Department Report No Contamination of Private Water Wells Near Sterigenics Facility

By Press release submission | Jan 11, 2019

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Alec Messina and DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) Executive Director Karen Ayala announced that results of well sampling near the Sterigenics facility in Willowbrook showed no signs of groundwater contamination.

49 state employees to get 15 percent raises

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 10, 2019

In the final days of the 100th General Assembly, a bill that makes changes to the Illinois Lottery Law and raises the salaries of 49 state employees passed with 68 yes votes and 37 no votes. Two members voted "present."

Most board members of Tollway Authority ousted

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 10, 2019

A bill removing members of the Illinois Tollway board passed both houses of the General Assembly on Wednesday. Senate Bill 1298 also requires the governor to fill the vacancies on the board by Feb. 28.

With House re-election, Madigan continues streak as nation's longest-serving speaker

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 10, 2019

State Rep. Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) was re-elected speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Cullerton's re-election as state senate president draws mixed response

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 10, 2019

State Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) retained his position as president of the Illinois State Senate on Wednesday, eliciting expressions of support and concern from his political allies and opponents.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS: Manteno Veteran's Home takes precautions after a single Legionnaires' disease case is identified

By Press release submission | Jan 10, 2019

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) was notified this morning regarding a confirmed case of Legionnaires' disease (legionellosis) in a resident of the Manteno Veterans' Home.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY: 1099G forms out for those who received Unemployment Insurance

By Press release submission | Jan 10, 2019

Electronic forms have been sent; Paper forms to follow

9 Republicans voted ‘yes’ on bill to hike pay for department heads

By LGIS News Service | Jan 9, 2019

Nine GOP state lawmakers joined with Democrats to pass a bill to hike the pay of state agency department heads this week.

From North Cook News

Policy analyst supports worker complaint against SEIU

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Trey Kovacs insists he isn’t surprised that at least some public sector unions are still resorting to what he calls the same strong-arm tactics they relied on before a landmark 2018 Supreme Court ruling supposedly outlawed them.