Prairie State Wire

Politics

Rauner's action invited Ives’ challenge, conservative magazine says

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 4, 2017

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) made it official on Monday that she is challenging incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Republican primary. After three years in office, Rauner nearly went out of his way to invite the challenge, according to a cover story for the Dec. 18 edition of the nation’s leading conservative magazine, National Review.

Local Government

Roskam says tax reform bill 'looks better the more you look at it'

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 4, 2017

U.S. Peter Roskam (R-IL) recently weighed in on attempts at federal tax reform during an appearance on "Chicago Morning Answer" radio program on WIND.

Politics

Ives makes her bid to unseat Rauner official

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 4, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) ended all the suspense on Monday, officially announcing she will take on Gov. Bruce Rauner in the 2018 Republican primary.

Politics

Ives cites acquittal in San Francisco murder case in slamming Rauner’s signing of sanctuary bill

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 4, 2017

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) said the acquittal last week in San Francisco of an illegal immigrant of murder shows how Gov. Bruce Rauner betrayed Illinoisans when, in August, he signed a statewide sanctuary bill into law.

Local Government

National Review slams Rauner, praises Ives as alternative

By Robert Hadley | Dec 4, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner was recently featured on the cover of the conservative magazine National Review, but the coverage wasn’t flattering.

Politics

Spend more on political campaigns to win culture war, activist says

By Robert Hadley | Dec 4, 2017

Regarding the debate over whether conservatives should be more involved in politics or should focus more on the so-called culture wars, Maggie Gallagher, senior fellow at the American Principles Project, offers some sobering statistics.

Community

This week in Illinois history

By Christopher Mobley | Dec 4, 2017

Here are some of the the biggest events to take place during the first week of December in Illinois' long history.

Politics

Gov. Rauner found sexual harassment bill flawed but signed it anyway

By Angela Underwood | Dec 3, 2017

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner almost exercised his amendatory veto power on a sexual harassment bill, but due to the recent pending investigations at the statehouse, he said the bill had to be signed.

Local Government

Powerful legal society files suit against publicly-funded abortion law

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 1, 2017

A powerful national group of anti-abortion attorneys has filed a lawsuit on behalf of hundreds of thousands of Illinois taxpayers against House Bill 40, legislation that provides public funds for elective abortions that Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law in late September.

Commentary magazine editor questions Conyers' mental state on radio show

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 1, 2017

Noah Rothman isn’t bashful about taking the position that Michigan Rep. John Conyers, now facing growing allegations of sexual harassment, is no longer fit to serve as a U.S. Congressman.

Schools

Former state school employee Stauffer paid in $122K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $1.89M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Dec 1, 2017

Former state school employee Karen Stauffer, who retired in November 2017, saved $121,506 toward a pension over 19 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Politics

Political reporter says lessons to be learned in Virginia's election results

By Brent Zell | Nov 30, 2017

A political reporter recently said on a Chicago radio show that the results of Nov. 8 elections in several states were mostly in line with history — but still contained some lessons for Republicans to learn from.

Politics

Despite assault allegations, Moore unlikely to quit Alabama Senate race, pundit says

By Robert Hadley | Nov 30, 2017

The chances of embattled Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore leaving the Alabama race are slim to none, according to David Drucker, senior political correspondent for the Washington Examiner.

Business

Insurance industry researcher says leave pension fund management to pros, not politicians

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 30, 2017

"Professionals, not politicians, should be the fiduciaries of pension funds and other state funds,” Mary Pat Campbell, insurance industry researcher at Conning Research, told Prairie State Wire.

Politics

Lawmakers need to do more to prevent harassment, Better Government Association director says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

The Better Government Association’s (BGA) Madeleine Doubek recently penned a scathing piece for the group’s website on Illinois lawmakers’ efforts to stem sexual harassment and other ethical breaches in the General Assembly.

Politics

'Our Home Our Fight' campaign website outlines Rauner's agenda for second term

By Karen Kidd | Nov 30, 2017

A new website launched in by Citizens for Rauner, OurHomeOurFight.com, showcases Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's agenda for his second term in office, which he plans to win in next year's election.

Politics

Grundy state's attorney 'not afraid of challenge' in secretary of state race

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 30, 2017

Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland says he just can't stay in Grundy County when he knows Illinois needs him in the secretary of state's office.

Politics

Next attorney general needs to focus on corruption, watchdog group's leader says

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 30, 2017

Faisal Khan thinks the next Illinois attorney general should mark their tenure by vowing to be different from virtually every other politician in the state.

Business

Illinois among tardiest in nation in financial reporting, Truth in Accounting says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 30, 2017

Any good teacher will notice that the student most behind on assignments usually is the one struggling the most, and the same seems to be true of states with Illinois governmental units tardy in their financial reports.

Local Government

Bulk of state's $750 million bond issue to fund major construction projects

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

Illinois issued $750 million worth of general obligation bonds this week at an all-in borrowing cost of 4.29 percent, according to a Nov. 29 release from the state.