Prairie State Wire

From Lake County Gazette

Medline to take its defense of ethylene oxide practices, benefits to senate

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

Officials from Northfield-based Medline Industries, Inc. are objecting to the recent passage in the Illinois House of a bill that would ban the use of a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment by pointing to the company’s “exemplary safety record and the importance of ethylene oxide sterilization to Illinois hospitals.”

Special Investigating Committee to determine political future of disgraced Democratic Rep. Arroyo

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 1, 2019

Illinois state Reps. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) and Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) have been named to a bipartisan Special Investigating Committee weighing the potential expulsion of Democratic colleague Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago).

Legislative Inspector General seeks clearer path in state government corruption investigations

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 1, 2019

Legislative Inspector General (LIG) Carol Pope has sent a letter to Illinois state government leaders seeking authority via subpoena power to launch probes without first going through Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) channels.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE: First Cadet Class Funded by Governor Pritzker's Balanced Budget Receive Oath of an Officer

By Press release submission | Oct 31, 2019

57 Troopers from Cadet Class 129 Join the Ranks of the Illinois State Police

Ideas Illinois chairman calls Pritzker's promotion of fair tax proposal 'inappropriate at best,' illegal at worst

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 30, 2019

As chairman of the Vote No on the Blank Check Amendment, Greg Baise is demanding that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker put an end to what he sees as an abuse of state taxpayers.

ILLINOIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AUTHORITY: Pritzker Administration Announces Available Funding for Trauma Recovery Centers Statewide

By Press release submission | Oct 30, 2019

Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced an upcoming grant program to support trauma recovery centers (TRCs) across the state.

REEDER: Middle school parents, beware

By Scott Reeder | Oct 29, 2019

Youngsters across Illinois are preparing for the annual science fair competition.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: Highlights Importance of Preventing Hearing Damage at Work

By Press release submission | Oct 29, 2019

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month.

Vaping advocates urge lawmakers to oppose ban on flavored liquids

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 28, 2019

Pro-vaping groups and small business owners held a press conference last week to share their opposition of possible legislation that would ban flavored liquids for e-cigarettes.

Senate committee hears testimony on diversity in pension funds

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 28, 2019

The Illinois Senate Special Committee on Pension Investments heard testimony last week from several pension fund boards on what they were doing to increase diversity within their own ranks and the firms with which they invest.

IL DEPARTMENT ON AGING: Hosts Adult Protection and Advocacy Conference

By Press release submission | Oct 28, 2019

7th Annual event showcases nationally recognized leaders, strategies

ILLINOIS BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION: Illinois is a National Leader by Offering Dual Credit Endorsement for Teachers

By Press release submission | Oct 28, 2019

Endorsement aims to support rapidly growing number of students earning college credit while in high school

OPINION: Chesney: Pension Reform is the 800-Pound Gorilla

By State Rep. Andrew Chesney (R–Freeport) | Oct 27, 2019

You cannot address budgetary reform in Illinois without addressing pension reform. You cannot address high property taxes in Illinois without addressing pension reform. You cannot understand the push by the tax-and-spend crowd to tax retirement income without understanding the need for pension reform. You see, pension reform is the 800-pound gorilla of state government dysfunction.

ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: Illinois Submits Appeal for Individual Assistance to Aid 1.4 Million Illinois Flood Survivors

By Press release submission | Oct 25, 2019

Also seeks to add Lee County to existing Public Assistance Disaster Declaration

Illinois property taxes continue to stifle housing market, IPI reports

By Glenn Minnis | Oct 24, 2019

Housing sales in Illinois continue to lag below the national average as the state's rising property taxes have all but crippled the market.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Ives not surprised that Exelon, ComEd, Madigan are key figures in federal corruption probe

By Glenn Minnis | 5 years ago

Jeanne Ives is not surprised to hear that Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) may be at the heart of a widening public corruption probe centered on Commonwealth Edison's lobbying practices.

Court's showing of news report on fetal body parts harvesting hurts Planned Parenthood's case, lawyers say

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 24, 2019

Attorneys with the Chicago-based Thomas More Society were elated when a federal judge on Tuesday permitted jurors to view an ABC News “20/20” episode that defendant David Daleiden said was the inspiration for his own undercover films into the harvesting of fetal body parts.

IDHS: Pritzker Administration Awards $20 Million to Local Organizations for the 2020 Census

By Press release submission | Oct 24, 2019

Illinois provides largest census investment of any state this year to encourage full participation in the 2020 Census

Wirepoints: Raising Illinois taxes will drive even more taxpayers away

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 23, 2019

Bankrupt Illinois needs precisely what it has less and less of – taxpayers.

IDNR: Announces Habitat Fund Project Grants

By Press release submission | Oct 23, 2019

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced the approval of more than $737,500 in grants for 11 wildlife habitat projects through the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Wildlife Funds Grant Program.