Prairie State Wire

What a progressive income tax could mean for Illinois’ middle class

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jan 31, 2020

This November, Gov. J.B. Pritzker hopes to convince voters to do away with the state’s current flat-rate tax structure and adopt progressive rates that require higher earners to bear a larger portion of the tax burden. However, a closer look at how some states that adopted progressive tax rates have fared in recent years is a clear indication of what lies ahead for Illinois should taxpayers vote in favor of progressive tax rates later this year.

Wirepoints: Don’t buy the Pritzker, Harmon rhetoric on property tax relief

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 31, 2020

One of the key selling points for Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s push to switch the state’s flat income for a progressive one is that the higher taxes paid by the top 3 percent of wage earners under a progressive tax will ease pressure on property taxes for the middle class. Newly elected Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) has been making the same claim.

IL GOV: Gov. Pritzker Announces Two Appointments to Illinois State Boards

By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2020

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

Ideas Illinois Chairman Baise hears Pritzker's message loud and clear: Expect more taxes

By Zeta Cross | Jan 30, 2020

Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise says the gist of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech on Wednesday was pretty simple – Illinoisans can expect a continued push for higher taxes by the Democratic-led legislature throughout the year.

Critics say Pritzker policies only adding to Illinois' woes

By Zeta Cross | Jan 30, 2020

Reacting to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech on Wednesday, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said that the governor's policies will only continue to make things worse for taxpayers.

Illinois spends more on education than its neighboring states

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 30, 2020

The state of Illinois continues to spend head-and-shoulders above its neighboring states when it comes to education.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Republicans want House to focus on tax reform, ethics and fair maps in 2020

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

House Republicans in Illinois want to focus on ethics, tax reform and fair maps during the 2020 legislative session.

IL GOV: Gov. Pritzker Names 15 Members to the Governor's Task Force on Forensic Science

By Press release submission | Jan 30, 2020

Aiming to continue reducing the backlogs at our forensics laboratories and deliver proper justice, Governor JB Pritzker has named 15 members to the Governor's Task Force on Forensic Science, which he created last August through Executive Order 19-13.

AVIAC member says Jose Rodriquez is 'a clear flight risk'

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 30, 2020

A McLean County judge failed to revoke bail for Jose Rodriquez, the 28-year-old man from Honduras living in the country illegally who on Monday pleaded guilty to killing 39-year-old Corey Cottrell in Bloomington in a hit-and-run last June.

IL GOV: Gov. Pritzker Signs Executive Order to Fight Opioid Crisis and Reduce Racial Disparities

By Press release submission | Jan 29, 2020

State Dedicates $4.1 Million to Expand Recovery and Prevention Efforts

Carmen Terrones nominated to Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

By Metric Media News Service | Jan 29, 2020

Carmen Terrones was nominated in the Senate to be member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority on Wednesday, Jan. 22, according to the official Illinois General Assembly website.

DNR: Youth Habitat Enhancement Projects Receive Funding Through Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grant Program

By Press release submission | Jan 28, 2020

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) today announced 27 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants have been awarded from the fall 2019 application period. A total of $22,477.78 will be distributed.

Guilty plea but no bail revocation for driver in Cottrell's hit-and-run death

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 27, 2020

Jose Rodriguez, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, remains free on bail after pleading guilty to the hit-and-run death last June of 39-year-old Corey Cottrell of Normal, a father of two.

Automatic Voter Registration allows 'room for chaos and potential fraud,' House candidate Breen says

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 27, 2020

Illinois House candidate Peter Breen (R-Lombard) is not altogether shocked that the Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) program overseen by the Secretary of State’s office is mired in controversy over mistakenly registering nearly 600 non-citizens.

DCEO: Pritzker Administration Launches New Initiative to Invest in Opportunity Zones Across the State

By Press release submission | Jan 27, 2020

DCEO Will Award $12 Million in Competitive Grants to Support Capital Projects in Underserved Communities

One former Chicagoan glad to be rid of the cold, Democrats, RINOs and taxes

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 26, 2020

A conservative former Chicagoan believes taxes, among other things, have ruined the city she once called home.

IDFPR: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Warns of Scam Claiming Involvement from IDFPR Official

By Press release submission | Jan 24, 2020

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is warning of a survey scam impersonating involvement from a Department official.

GOP lawmakers seek to suspend automatic voter registration until glitch is addressed

By Kyla Asbury | Jan 23, 2020

Illinois state Senate and House Republicans gathered at a press conference on Wednesday to discuss concerns with the state's automatic voter registration (AVR) program.

ILGOP Chairman Schneider demands action as non-citizens were registered to vote in 2018

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 23, 2020

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider is demanding that a state-run program that automatically registers voters be immediately suspended amid reports that non-citizens were certified and cast votes in 2018.

DCFS: Illinois DCFS offers college scholarships to current and former youth in care

By Press release submission | Jan 23, 2020

DCFS Scholarship Program applications accepted until March 31