Prairie State Wire

Time for Gov. Pritzker to lead

By State Representative-Elect Adam Niemerg | Dec 18, 2020

Even with the state in near insolvency, Governor JB Pritzker remains defiant in his opposition to reforms that could address the state’s financial crisis and put us back on the road to financial stability.

Same old bad news in new 2020 Illinois pension report belies far worse reality – Wirepoints

By Ted Dabrowski and Mark Glennon, Wirepoints | Dec 18, 2020

On the surface, a new report on Illinois’ state-level pensions is bad enough: The official unfunded liability of the five state pensions grew to $144 billion in 2020 – a record high, and a $7 billion increase in just one year. That’s according to COGFA, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s latest special pension report.

HFS: Announces $56 Million Investment in Providers and Community Organizations

By Press release submission | Dec 18, 2020

Almost half of the total—$27.6 million—to be spent in disproportionately impacted areas.

Monroe, McHenry, Kendall counties tops in Illinois for self-reporting census data, study finds

By LGIS News Service | Dec 18, 2020

The percentage of households in Monroe County that self-responded in the Census Bureau’s 2020 count of the U.S. population hit 82.9 percent, the highest rate among the 102 Illinois counties, the federal agency reported.

From Illinois Business Daily

33.65% of hospitals in Illinois earn ‘A’ grades in new safety study

By Illinois Business Daily reports | 3 years ago

The share of Illinois hospitals earning “A” grades for patient safety this fall from the nonprofit Leapfrog Group stood at 33.65 percent, the 23rd highest percentage among the 50 states.

IDHS: Healing Illinois announces nearly $4.5 million in awards for racial healing efforts across the state

By Press release submission | Dec 16, 2020

Illinois Dept. of Human Services and The Chicago Community Trust partner to award funds to 179 nonprofit organizations

IDNR, ICF Announce 2021 Grant Opportunities Schedule

By Press release submission | Dec 15, 2020

Eligible applicants vary by program and may include local governments, non-profits, universities, and individuals.

Thomas More Society lawyers caution Illinois school board's proposed 'Culturally Responsive' standards are 'unconstitutional'

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 15, 2020

A conservative national public interest law firm says it will challenge what it characterizes as vague and progressive new teaching standards set for approval by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on Wednesday.

Unions want “C minus or higher” GPA requirement for Illinois teaching license waived during Covid

By Prairie State Wire reports | Dec 14, 2020

Should 'D' students be teaching your students? Illinois teachers unions think so.

Illinois teachers unions lobby for guaranteed ‘excellent’ evaluations during ‘gubernatorial disaster’

By Prairie State Wire reports | Dec 14, 2020

A resolution that would grant preferential treatment to tenured teachers is being considered by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) at its Tuesday, Dec. 15 meeting.

Pritzker issues another disaster declaration

By Prairie State Wire reports | Dec 14, 2020

Illinois Gov., J.B. Pritzker has issued a 30-day disaster declaration for the tenth time, something which has not gone down well with many residents.

Breen insists small business owners standing up to Pritzker restrictions 'a matter of life and death'

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 13, 2020

Former Illinois Republican House candidate Peter Breen (R-Lombard) always knew things had to come to do this for people in the community, especially small business owners, to stand up and speak against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's (D) latest restriction of imposing a shut down order for dining inside at restaurants.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Appointment to Illinois Board

By Press release submission | Dec 12, 2020

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

IDOT: Getting Around Illinois provides latest winter road conditions

By Press release submission | Dec 12, 2020

IDOT site provides continually updated info during snow-and-ice season

IDNR: Conservation Police Named Top Mid-Sized Agency

By Press release submission | Dec 12, 2020

Following successful education and enforcement actions during the three-day 2020 Fourth of July holiday, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) have been named top mid-sized agency in the Operation Dry Water program by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

DOIT: Staying Cyber Secure at the Holidays

By Press release submission | Dec 12, 2020

With COVID-19 restrictions around the nation, shopping virtually has become more than just a convenience and it's important to take steps to stay safe when shopping online, especially at the holidays.

IDOL: Finalizes New Rules for Enforcing the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act

By Press release submission | Dec 12, 2020

New rules aimed at better safety and efficiency for the amusement ride industry and its customers were finalized this month by the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL).

Pro-Family Alliance, Thomas More Society: Newly proposed teachers rule discriminatory and unconstitutional

By Prairie State Wire reports | Dec 10, 2020

The Thomas More Society and Pro-Family Alliance have called the new proposed teachers rule that allows them to promote progressive views unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Illinois ranked 37th in annual policy report on highway costs, conditions

By LGIS News Service | Dec 10, 2020

Illinois saw its ranking on the Reason Foundation’s 25th Annual Highway Report drop nine spots since the previous report, putting the state at 37th in terms of highway cost-effectiveness conditions.

Tech Censorship Hits Illinois: Center Square Tweets Blocked

By Mark Glennon, Wirepoints | Dec 8, 2020

National media and big tech companies now routinely distort facts and block viewpoints they don’t like, often through outright dishonesty.