(Springfield, IL) — April 22, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced $37.8 million in capital funding to construct a new Illinois State Police forensic laboratory in Belleville, a facility which should help the state’s forensics operation which has struggled with delays in evidence analysis. Continue reading
(Skokie, IL) — April 21, 2011. Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) today said that strengthened provisions in his proposed medical marijuana legislation and enhanced cooperation from Republican House leadership has created “excellent” chances for the bill’s passage in the next few weeks. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — April 18, 2011. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced its plans last week to restrict access to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program to new applicants with incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level versus the current 500% limit, drawing opposition from top HIV/AIDS activists and an angry reaction from a top Illinois House Democrat. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – April 15, 2011. Despite a rhetorical assault by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, the Illinois Senate yesterday overwhelmingly approved, 54-2, legislation to rein in the legislative overreach of Illinois cemetery reforms that were rushed through the legislature in the wake of the Burr Oak Cemetery scandal in 2009, reforms whose regulatory requirements … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — April 14, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement regarding the introduction of comprehensive education reform legislation: “Education reform has been one of the top priorities for my administration. This bill helps us make sure that we have the best teachers in our classrooms and assures effective teacher performance. This bill … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 14, 2011. After its first 100 days in power, a new national poll finds that U.S. House Republicans have fallen so far out of favor with the American public that it’s entirely possible Democrats could take control of the House back next year, and spell trouble for local Republicans, too. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — April 13, 2011. The Illinois Senate Executive Committee today defeated, 6-7, State Senator David Koehler’s legislation, House Bill 1123, to permit religious-based child welfare agencies to refuse to offer adoption and foster care services to gay and lesbian couples joined in civil unions. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — April 12, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $10.3 million business investment package to help a Chicago-based steel manufacturer, a large source of campaign cash to ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich, expand its operations and help keep more 300 jobs in Illinois. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – April 12, 2011. The CEO of Illinois’ leading gay rights advocacy yesterday unleashed an urgent e-mail to its supporters claiming that gay and lesbian equality was “under attack in Illinois!” – but declined to identify the attacker. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — April 12, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today appointed nine individuals to serve on the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — April 12, 2011. Illinois has emerged from the worst of a violent financial storm, but the sun isn’t shining yet. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — April 11, 2011. Though Illinois Senate Republicans are taking steps to work with Senate Democrats on the fiscal year 2012 Illinois budget, the GOP’s budget point person would however like to see the Illinois General Assembly fail to reach an agreement on time with Governor Pat Quinn, forcing the legislature into a summer overtime session. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — April 8, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday unveiled a new multi-year, multi-billion road and bridge construction plan that will create 155,000 jobs, according to the governor. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – March 9, 2011. An Illinois State Senate panel held a special hearing on Wednesday to tackle the new report by the state’s auditor general claiming Illinois’ more than 260 separate financial reporting systems are a disorganized, obsolete mess. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – April 9, 2011. Illinois’ battered and much maligned workers compensation took another hit in a new audit by the state auditor general, revealing workers comp liabilities last year were off by $63 million due to “significant errors” in calculation goofs and liability underestimates. Continue reading