(Chicago, IL) — June 30, 2011: 8:00 p.m. With no public fanfare, Governor Pat Quinn today signed the fiscal year 2012 Illinois budget while vetoing $376 million from the budget sent to him by the legislature. Quinn issued the following statement: “Line by line, I have carefully examined the budget passed by the General Assembly … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — June 28, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that overhauls of Illinois’ workers’ compensation system and claimed that the new law will save Illinois businesses between $500 and $750 million dollars. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — June 24, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed the Illinois congressional restricting map. “The people of Illinois provided input at public hearings for both the congressional and state legislative maps. I have carefully reviewed the congressional redistricting map,” said Quinn. “This map is fair, maintains competitiveness within congressional districts, and protects the … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — June 23, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn announced today a $100 million capital investment to finance local transportation projects, including more than $12 million for Chicago. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) — June 23, 2011. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) announced today a joint House-Senate Revenue Committee review of the state business tax structure in the months ahead. This joint effort will be led by State Rep. John Bradley and State Senator Toi Hutchinson. Madigan said he … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — June 22, 2011. Coming on the heals of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel‘s roll-out of a city Web site supplying oodles of government data, Governor Pat Quinn yesterday announced the launch of a state website that also promises to provide access to a wealth of state data. The State of Illinois Open Data … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — June 21, 2011. State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) today called on the Illinois Senate to approve legislation this week that fixes a clerical “mistake” made in the budget bill sent to Governor Pat Quinn that unintentionally reduced community mental health care funding by $30 million. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — June 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois’ tourism industry generated $29.3 billion in revenue in 2010, an increase of more than $2.2 billion. “The gains we experienced in 2010 clearly show that the tourism industry continues to play a critical role in our state’s ongoing economic recovery,” said Quinn. … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – June 18, 2011. A $30 million clerical “mistake” could end mental health care for tens of thousands of Illinois residents with legislative action by the Illinois Senate next week. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – June 18, 2011. “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” is the slogan used by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service to remind people during “Lightning Safety Awareness Week” to take cover when a thunderstorm rolls in—a slogan that one Illinois lightning-strike survivor is urging everyone to heed. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – June 17, 2011. You remember Hurricane Ike from 2008? Well, the federal government is still dishing “recovery” cash. And Illinois is getting some. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Warren Ribley yesterday announced that Illinois is getting $48 million. Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – June 17, 2011. For critics of the Illinois State Government bureaucracy, take note: USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced yesterday that the state of Illinois was awarded a $3.4 million bonus for its effective administration of the Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program. How often do you hear the words “state of Illinois” and … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – June 16, 2011. The Illinois Senate will return to Springfield in a regular session next Wednesday, June 22, to approve the state capital construction program eagerly sought by Governor Pat Quinn. Continue reading
GOVERNOR Pat Quinn struggled to assert his political authority and legislative agenda during the just completed spring session of the Illinois General Assembly, drawing public questioning of his political relevance by political commentators and Springfield observers. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — June 7, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today named Gery Chico, the former rival of Rahm Emanuel for the Chicago mayor’s office, as the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn today said at a press conference that he wants Illinois lawmakers back in Springfield to reauthorize the state’s capitol construction program. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – June 6, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn on Friday evening announced several top appointments to state agencies, including Jay Rowell as director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Rowell, who is currently the political director for the Senate President John Cullerton’s Illinois Democratic Senate operation, is a former deputy director in the … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – June 2, 2011. Illinois civil union ceremonies are being held throughout Illinois starting today, and the state’s top insurance official is offering guidance for those couples seeking to take advantage of insurance opportunities. The civil union law provides couples with the same rights that married people enjoy, which has prompted Illinois Department … Continue reading
(Springfield, IL) – June 1, 2011. The proposal to add five new casinos and add slot machines at horse racing tracks awaits Governor Pat Quinn’s signature. But Quinn said today at a press conference in Springfield that he has concerns, calling the bill “excessive”. The Governor wants to examine the bill thoroughly – under a … Continue reading