(Springfield, IL) — May 27, 2010. After Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) today adjourned the Senate without passing the $4 billion pension borrowing bill, Governor Pat Quinn shortly afterward issued a statement that said the legislature had not finished its work, hinting at a special session. “Our task is not complete, and there’s more that … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — May 26, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today vetoed portions of the McCormick Place reform legislation, but the Illinois General Assembly is widely expected to brush aside Quinn’s action and override the veto. “The General Assembly has taken only half a step toward reforming our state’s convention industry,” said Governor Quinn in his … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — May 24, 2010. “What a clear example of what a fiasco this budget is,” said State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago). Steans was commenting on a state advisory panel vote on May 21 to urge the state to immediately close the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new applicants and begin a … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — May 21, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that provides adopted adults greater access to copies of their original birth certificates without having to get a court order. The new law will also help adopted adults learn more about their birth families, including medical histories. “This new law … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — May 20, 2010. Democratic Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle yesterday got a valuable lesson in the inherent risk of the absence of a finely tuned, planned, practiced, and adhered to political message when a candidate inhabits a loftier political atmosphere than previously and the topic is taxes. Preckwinkle got swatted around … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — May 20, 2010. Democratic lawmakers say the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be finalized in a matter of days, even though consensus on key matters is still lacking. Lawmakers are planning to return to Springfield next week and Democrats want to finalize a budget to pass to Governor Pat … Continue reading
(Princeton, NJ) — May 19, 2010. Americans are the unhappiest of campers, according to a new poll. American voter displeasure at the direction that the county is the lowest since Gallup began polling on the question in 1979. So far in 2010, an average of 23% of Americans have been satisfied with the way things … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — May 19, 2o10. Has Republican Lt. Governor candidate Jason Plummer paid income taxes? No one knows. His campaign isn’t saying. John Hoffman, a spokesman for the Brady-Plummer campaign, said Plummer has filed his taxes and did not seek an extension. He would not say how much Plummer paid the government. Unless Plummer … Continue reading
(Washington, D.C.) — May 19, 2010. Rick Bayless maybe a Chicago superstar chef who injects zing and spice into the food prepared at his Frontera Grill and Topolobampo restaurants at 445 N. Clark Street , but he tweets inanity like a 12-year old school girl, and thankfully the Obama White House has shut him down … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — May 19, 2010. Republican lawmakers in the Springfield area are lamenting that the Illinois General Assembly could pass a version of the Illinois state budget and conclude the legislative session by the end of this month. With strong majorities in both the Illinois House and Senate, Democratic lawmakers can push through a … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — May 14, 2010. The state’s housing market is going through a period of fluctuation marked by rising foreclosure rates along with an uptick in housing sales, according to two separate reports released this week. A report by housing industry company RealtyTrac Inc. indicated that 18,870 properties in Illinois received a foreclosure filing … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — May 7, 2010. Could there be political gold even in a fiscal calamity? The Illinois state budget promoted Illinois Democratic leaders, which was yesterday approved by the Illinois State Senate and now is being considered by the House, may offend public policy process idealists but could prove to be electoral genius for … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – May 6, 2010. State Senator William Haine (D-Alton) and House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) yesterday announced a huge step forward toward the approval of medical marijuana use in Illinois. The Illinois State Police is no longer opposed to the legislation. Woe. This is a big deal. After meeting with Lang … Continue reading
(Princeton, NJ) – May 6, 2010. It may be premature to draw a definitive conclusion, but the Republicans’ political momentum seems to be stalling. According to a new Gallup poll: Republican registered voters’ enthusiasm about voting in this year’s midterm elections has declined significantly in recent weeks. As a result, Republicans’ advantage over Democrats on … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — May 4, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced legislation that will expand insurance coverage for uninsured people with pre-existing conditions by tapping into nearly $200 million in federal funds. As part of this legislative push, Quinn is also introducing a measure to create a Health Consumer’s Bill of Rights. Both bills will … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – May 4, 2010. The Illinois State Senate today unanimously approved, 54-0, legislation to help businesses, who are applying for development assistance programs through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), to avoid the snarl of duplicative paperwork. “This initiative will enable Illinois job creators to save time, money and energy … Continue reading