Prairie State Wire

Prairie State Wire

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Latest News

Local Government

Illinois' congressional Republicans defend tax reform bill

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

The Republican members of the Illinois congressional delegation recently penned a response to criticisms of the House tax reform bill from Democrat Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, according to a release.

Local Government

Illinois vendor debt dropping closer to $9 billion mark

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 30, 2017

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt dipped to $9,114,388,473.74 as of Nov. 29, after the state recently issued $6 billion worth of general obligation bonds toward the state’s once record-setting debt.

Politics

Lawsuit filed to block Illinois abortion coverage bill

By Robert Hadley | Nov 30, 2017

The Thomas More Society filed a lawsuit Thursday to block HB 40, a state law that would expand coverage of elective abortions.

Business

Right-to-work leader optimistic as debate heads to Supreme Court

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 30, 2017

Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Foundation, relishes the prospect of worker unions having to rebrand themselves as the right-to-work debate legally plays out.

Community

Republican candidates to take part in forum

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

A slate of conservative candidates running for Illinois public offices will be on hand Thursday during a Republican candidate forum co-hosted by the Northwest Side GOP Club and the Republicans of Maine Township.

Local Government

Cook County commissioner wants to put cannabis legalization question to voters

By Brent Zell | Nov 29, 2017

Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey plans to bring the issue of recreational use of marijuana before the county's voters.

Local Government

Debt issues make Chicago an outsider in bid to lure Amazon, magazine editor says

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 29, 2017

In the end, Steve Malanga thinks Chicago’s deeply mired debt crisis may be too steep for the city to dig itself out of to be seriously considered Amazon’s desired “utopia” destination.

Politics

Trade, leverage are two big issues facing US, China, reporter says

By Brent Zell | Nov 29, 2017

Trade and leverage will be two big issues between the United States and China going forward, a Fox News Radio reporter said recently on a Chicago radio show.

Local Government

Auditor General Mautino on a roll ignoring the law

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 29, 2017

Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino has yet to pay a $5,000 fine slapped against his now-defunct state House campaign committee in May by the State Board of Elections.

Community

Background checks to curb gun violence are 'no miracle,' author says

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 28, 2017

“Background checks are not any type of miracle," Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center and author of the novel “More Guns, Less Crime,” said during a recent appearance on the "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show on WIND.

Local Government

Rauner applauds lawmakers' efforts to curb sexual harassment

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently applauded the General Assembly for passing legislation to address mounting concerns over sexual harassment and the handling of sexual harassment complaints in Springfield, a release from his office said.

Community

Illinois Joining Forces has a new executive director

By Christopher Mobley | Nov 28, 2017

The Illinois Joining Forces Foundation (IJF) board of directors recently said it hired retired Army Lt. Col. Jaime Martinez to be its executive director.

Local Government

Steans, Cassidy backing effort to legalize cannabis

By Angela Underwood | Nov 28, 2017

At a press conference Tuesday before a House and Senate joint committee hearing on the Economic Development and the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act in Chicago, Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) discussed decriminalizing marijuana.

Politics

Ives slams Rauner for 'sanctuary state' legislation

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) recently issued a statement slamming Gov. Bruce Rauner for signing legislation making Illinois a “sanctuary state,” contrasting his support with the position of Virginia's Democratic Gov.-Elect Ralph Northam.

Local Government

Illinois moves to new open data management platform

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

The state of Illinois recently moved to an open data management platform, in line with state law and an executive order from Gov. Bruce Rauner, that will make it easier for residents to engage with government data, according to a release.

Local Government

Questions raised by items in Rauner campaign filings

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign filings show that the campaign has returned more than $50,000 to the state of Illinois over the past three years, according to an analysis by a citizen government oversight group, raising questions about where the funds came from.

Community

Homeowners group seeks tax cap on properties to help Illinois families

By Meg Shannon | Nov 28, 2017

Tax relief may not on the horizon for some residents in Cook and collar counties under proposed tax legislation because Illinois has some of the highest tax rates in the country, according to the Homeowners Defense Association.

Community

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt nears $17 billion

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 28, 2017

Illinois’ unpaid vendor debt ticked closer to $17 billion earlier this month, unchartered waters even for the long cash-strapped state.

Politics

Harold says 16,000 signed her petitions for attorney general run

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Attorney general candidate Erika Harold said she recently filed her candidacy petitions, on which she gathered significantly more than the minimum number of signatures required to be eligible for the Republican primary ballot.

Local Government

Property owners affected by July floods now eligible for tax credit

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 28, 2017

Residents of counties declared state disaster areas because of July’s severe flooding are now able to claim a tax credit of up to $750 after Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation that aims to help those affected by the storms recover.