Prairie State Wire

From DuPage Policy Journal

Former state Rep. Breen poised for a rematch with Costa-Howard in 48th District

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

Peter Breen thinks the residents of Illinois can use all the help they can get from their representation in Springfield.

Lauzen: Please print the transcript

By Chris Lauzen | Sep 30, 2019

If American citizens and voters are going to be subjected by extreme, partisan Democrats to the water-torture and divisiveness of impeachment hearings based upon interpretations, so-called “parodies”, and outright lies, the least that our free and fair press can do is publish the actual transcript of the short conversation between Ukraine President Zelensky and U.S. President Trump. (This is what the Wall Street Journal did on Thursday 9-26-19.)

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: State of Illinois Releases Disproportionately Impacted Areas for Cannabis Program's Social Equity Applicants

By Press release submission | Sep 30, 2019

2 Million Illinoisans Throughout the State Live in Disproportionately Impacted Areas

From Lake County Gazette

Morrison called out by ISRA director for firearm confiscation remark

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

In the eyes of Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) Executive Director Richard Pearson, state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) had a Beto O’Rourke moment last spring.

Candidate Ives calls out opponent for his role in impeachment inquiry: 'Casten is a bitter partisan'

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 28, 2019

Congressional candidate Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) argues that U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove) so hastily throwing his support behind an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump tells you everything you need to know about her potential opponent's style of politics.

Illinois House committee hears testimony on possible flavored-vaping ban

By Kyla Asbury | Sep 28, 2019

The Illinois House of Representatives' Mental Health Committee heard testimony this week about a possible ban on flavored liquids for e-cigarettes.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT ON AGING: Hosts 2019 Aging Conference, Celebrates 40 Years of the Community Care Program

By Press release submission | Sep 27, 2019

Joined by more than 500 attendees, the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) held their annual conference in Peoria last week. IDoA Director Paula Basta opened proceedings and joined State Senator Dave Koehler and National Association of Area Agencies on Aging CEO Sandy Markwood to give opening remarks.

U.S. Senate resolution: No bailing out Illinois--or any other state

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 27, 2019

For state lawmakers desperately trying to come up with ways of reviving the state of Illinois' long sputtering economy, the wounds are piling up.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES: IDHS Launches New Video Campaign to Promote Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances

By Press release submission | Sep 26, 2019

Illinois shares stories of hope and recovery for individuals suffering from substance use disorder

From Chambana Sun

University of Illinois employee used email, software for personal business, OEIG rules

By Rob Johnson | 5 years ago

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign employee Richard Gallivan improperly used his work email and architectural-design software licensed to the university for his personal drafting and design business, the state's Office of the Executive Inspector General (OEIG) has ruled.

From Chicago City Wire

Taxes will continue to rise until there is pension reform, says WFLD Fox president and GM

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

WFLD Fox 32 Chicago President and General Manager Dennis Welsh did not mince words about the perilous place Illinois’ growing pension crisis has left the state in during a recently aired editorial on the network in which he predicted voters are primed for revolt given anything short of pension reform.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES: Department of Central Management Services Receives Prestigious National Award for Innovative Personnel Improvements

By Press release submission | Sep 25, 2019

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) today won a national award for Innovation in State Government for improving its outside hiring process through a more diverse and qualified hiring pool for open positions even as it reduced the turnaround time from job posting to new hire by 75 percent, from as long as 330 days previously to an average of 45 days.

Illinois’ pension debt remains worst in the nation

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 25, 2019

Illinois’ record-setting 2017 income tax hike has done little to slow the state’s rising pension costs, leaving state taxpayers on the hook for nearly $250 billion in unfunded public pension liability.

Motorists get no relief from periodic efforts to eliminate Illinois' toll system, IPI reports

By Glenn Minnis | Sep 25, 2019

The prospect of Illinois' tollways becoming “freeways” has proven to be an agonizingly slow process that still has not come close to fruition.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: Gov. Pritzker Announces $4.2 Million in Funding for Small Business Development Centers Across the State

By Press release submission | Sep 24, 2019

Governor JB Pritzker announced $4.2 million in funding for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) throughout Illinois.

State investigation finds former Illinois VA official committed sexual and racial harassment

By Amanda Smith-Teutsch | Sep 24, 2019

The former assistant director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs sexually and racially harassed his employees, according to the Illinois office of the Executive Investigator General.

The Manhattan Institute enrolls 524 undergrads

By Prairie State Wire | Sep 24, 2019

At the Manhattan Institute, 53 percent of undergraduate students are traditional students - age 24 or younger - and 73 percent are female, according to the latest disclosure from the U.S. Department of Education.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES: Endangered Species Protection Board to Conduct Public Hearing on Proposed List Changes

By Press release submission | Sep 23, 2019

The Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Species Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) headquarters in Springfield. The hearing will be conducted from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Illinois families of those allegedly killed by illegal immigrants are in Washington to demand change

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 23, 2019

Members of Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime (AVIAC), a nationwide grassroots group that includes a number of Illinois residents, are in Washington D.C. this week, lobbying Congress for change – including closing loopholes that allow some alleged offenders, who are here illegally, to escape prosecution.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: 2019 Prairie State CERT Challenge Event to be Held

By Press release submission | Sep 20, 2019

Community volunteers trained in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to exercise their training September 21