Prairie State Wire

GOP complains about Democratic references to KKK

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 23, 2019

A growing number of Republican supporters are crying foul over a recent post made to social media by Kankakee County Democrats comparing conservative voters to members of the Ku Klux Klan.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Ives to run in 6th District Republican primary

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

For former Illinois state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), her recent decision to run in 2020 against U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove) in the 6th Congressional District comes down to her love for America.

ILLINOIS WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION: Commissioner Marc Parker earns IHSA honor

By Press release submission | Jul 23, 2019

Parker named Illinois High School Association’s Boys Basketball Official of the year

Shaky science behind Durbin, Casten and Foster positions on climate change, environmental expert says

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 23, 2019

The positions of three Democratic members of Congress on climate change – including a proposal that the U.S. government sell climate bonds – are premised on faulty science, one climate expert says.

ILLINOIS STATE FIRE MARSHAL: New Basic Operations Firefighter 1 Blended Pilot Course

By Press release submission | Jul 22, 2019

This is a game changer for the fire service in Illinois!

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY: Illinois Payrolls Up 11,400 in June

By Press release submission | Jul 19, 2019

Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.3 Percent

ISRA seeks court order to prohibit new law from requiring gun dealers to obtain state licenses

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 18, 2019

As part of its recently filed lawsuit challenging the legality of the state licensure law enacted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) is also seeking a temporary restraining order that prohibits enforcement of Senate Bill 337, also know as the Gun Dealer Licensing Act.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Ives sets sights on GOP bid in 6th Congressional District

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

Former state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R. Wheaton), who narrowly lost her bid to unseat then Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the GOP primary just over a year ago, is back in the political spotlight after announcing her run in the 6th Congressional District.

Despite upheaval, threats of closure, tax credit scholarship program earns top marks in first year

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 18, 2019

Juan Rangel knows what kind of impact the state’s tax credit scholarship (TCS) program can have on children and families.

Illinois State Rifle Association files suit over new law targeting federally licensed gun dealers

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 18, 2019

The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) has filed a lawsuit challenging the legal validity of the state licensure measure that Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed off on in one of his early acts in office.

From Rock Island Today

Former Illinois Rep. Schilling to run in Iowa

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

Former U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Colona), who left Illinois with his family nearly three years ago in part to escape the rising taxes, is now running for office in the Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: IDOT ready for pavement blowouts during heat wave

By Press release submission | Jul 18, 2019

Motorists should remain alert, anticipate slowdowns and temporary work zones

Illinois lawmakers highest paid U.S. legislators for the amount of work they do, IPI reports

By Keri Carbaugh | Jul 17, 2019

Illinois lawmakers will receive their first pay increase since 2008 in the amount of $1,628 after the General Assembly passed the budget and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it into law on June 6.

Independent auto dealers association vows to fight Pritzker's new law capping trade-in tax credits

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 17, 2019

Scott Alpeter, executive director of the Illinois Independent Auto Dealers Association (IIADA), sees just one winner emerging from the enactment of a new state law that caps trade-in tax credits for most vehicles in Illinois at $10,000.

Pritzker's new trade-in tax cap may send Illinois auto-buyers across state lines, IADA president says

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 17, 2019

Illinois Automobile Dealers Association (IADA) President Pete Sander is worried about what a new state law that caps trade-in tax credits for most vehicles at $10,000 will do to the rights of car buyers across Illinois.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES: IDNR Announces Updated Operating Schedule at Stratton-Bolger Lock and Dam

By Press release submission | Jul 17, 2019

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced an updated operating schedule for the William G. Stratton-Thomas A. Bolger Lock and Dam facility on the Fox River in McHenry County for the 2019 navigation season.

Illinois Policy: Declining home values, rising property taxes amount to a shrinking population

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 16, 2019

The hits keep on coming for Illinois homeowners. Even as residents across the state still struggle to fully recover from the last housing-market crash, property tax bills have continued to spiral upward, soaring by an average of 9 percent over the last decade after adjusting for inflation.

'Dirty tricks' alleged in 2016 primary were not illegal, Team Madigan claims in Speaker's defense

By Karen Kidd | Jul 16, 2019

Even if Illinois state House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) used "dirty tricks" to fend off 2016 primary challenger Jason Gonzales, the strategy allegedly employed was not illegal, according to a re​cent court filing.

Gun owners win a round in California court as ISRA braces members for continued fight for rights

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 16, 2019

Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) Executive Director Richard A. Pearson did not hold back his enthusiasm in a recent bulletin he sent to members celebrating a victory for the Second Amendment as the result of a California court case.

Former Democratic senators demand higher salaries for Illinois legislators in lawsuit

By Colin Froment | Jul 16, 2019

Former Illinois Sens. Michael Noland (D-Elgin) and James Clayborne (D-East St. Louis) filed a lawsuit against the state which, if successful, will increase state lawmakers’ salaries to more than $81,000 by 2020 to rank Illinois' legislative salaries as the nation’s fourth-highest.