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Illinois House Panel OKs Illinois Family and Medical Leave Act Including Civil Union Couples
(Springfield, IL) – February 29, 2012. An Illinois House panel today approved an Illinois version of the Family and Medical Leave Act that would include civil union couples. Continue reading
In Tornado Ravaged Harrisburg Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn Declares Southern Illinois Region a Disaster Area
(Harrisburg, IL) – February 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a state disaster proclamation for tornado-damaged areas in Harrisburg, Illinois, following storms that raged through the region leaving 10 dead and 100 injured. Continue reading
Following Southern Illinois Tornado Killing 6, Gov. Pat Quinn to Visit Harrisburg
(Springfield, IL) – February 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today activated the State Emergency Operations Center following severe storms and tornadoes that struck Harrisburg in Southern Illinois early this morning, leaving 6 dead and 100 injured. Quinn will visit Harrisburg later today. Illinois Emergency Management Agency regional personnel were deployed to Harrisburg soon after the … Continue reading
Will Illinois Renew Enterprise Zones Set to Expire Next Year?
(Springfield, IL) – February 27, 2012. Remember Enterprise Zones? They are a Reagan-era economic development scheme which have proven themselves, unlike other Reagan economic theories, to be effective in Illinois. The state has dozens and dozens such zones. And seven are set to expire next year. That expiration has set off a bi-partisan scramble in … Continue reading
Boilermakers Back Kenny Johnson over Christian Mitchell in Illinois House Democratic Primary
(Chicago, IL) – February 27, 2012. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 1 has endorsed Kenny Johnson over Christian Mitchell in the Democratic primary for the seat once held by now-Chicago 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns. “Kenny Johnson has been and will continue to be a strong advocate for working families and neighborhoods,” said John … Continue reading
Where is Rahm Emanuel Collecting $50 Million More than Expected in Chicago Taxes?
(Chicago, IL) – February 20, 2012. Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced the release of the first-ever City of Chicago quarterly budget report, noting that city tax collection is running about $50 million higher than originally estimated. “For the first time ever, the City is providing the public with regular progress reports on where the City … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Dedicates Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail Honoring Black History Month
(Chicago, IL) – February 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn, a relentless supporter of Illinois veterans, today dedicated the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail in Chicago. Continue reading
AG Lisa Madigan Hits NDK Crystal with $39,000 Fine for 2009 Plant Explosion that Killed One Person
(Chicago, IL) – February 20, 2012. Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier on Friday announced a settlement with crystal manufacturer NDK Crystal Co., fining the company $39,000 and shuttering the plant until the facility is certified by state regulators as safe for operation following the 2009 explosion at the facility … Continue reading
What Are the Prospects for Illinois Strip Club Tax Pushed by Senator Toi Hutchinson?
(Springfield, IL) – February 19, 2012. Legislation has been filed in the Illinois legislature placing a $5 tax on each person that enters an Illinois strip club, raising the question: what are the bill’s prospects in Springfield? Continue reading
THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER Gets a Subscriber Password …
Dear iLLINOIS OBSERVER Reader: Some changes are happening at THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER. For starters, this publication will begin to publish some “subscriber only” content for which you will need a password. The password for the remainder of February is: … . To get a password, please enter your e-mail address at the upper right of … Continue reading
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Finds Additional Chicago Residents, Wants U.S. Census Bureau Redo
(Chicago, IL) – February 20, 2012. Whattya know. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has uncovered additional Chicago residents. And the mayor now wants the U. S. Census Bureau to revise Chicago’s 2010 Census count. Continue reading
Our View: Paula Basta’s Ethics Plan is Hypocritical, Costly to Taxpayers
Our View: All candidates for elected office should follow two golden rules when they propose reforms: one, avoid exposing yourself to the charge of hypocrisy; and two, avoid costing taxpayers more money. Illinois Democratic state representative candidate Paula Basta recently violated both. On Valentine’s Day, Basta, who is challenging appointed State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Appoints Ex-State Rep. Bob Flider Illinois Agriculture Department Director
(Springfield, IL) – February 15, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today named Bob Flider director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “It is important that our Agriculture agency is led by someone who understands the key role of agri-business in our economy,” Quinn said. Flider served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2003 through 2011, … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Delivers Mars Candy Valentines to Kids at Shriners Hospital for Children
(Chicago, IL) – February 14, 2012. On Valentine’s Day, Governor Pat Quinn visited the Chicago Mars candy factory to announce new data on the company’s recent Illinois growth and to pick up bags of candy for hospitalized kids. “Right here in Illinois, Mars is manufacturing Snickers, Milky Way and 3 Musketeers and it is only … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn, Senator Annazette Collins Push Illinois Ethics Referendum Amendment
(Chicago, IL) – February 12, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today proposed an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would allow state voters to enact ethics reforms through popular initiative and referendum. “Our citizens must always have a role in keeping our government honest and ethical,” said Quinn. Sponsored by State Senator Annazette Collins (D-Chicago), the … Continue reading
NBC Chicago Blogger Satire Stings Illinois Gay Rights Group
(Chicago, IL) – Despite the wacky, Onion-like satirical content of a post by an NBC Chicago TV blogger on a recently introduced same-sex marriage bill in Springfield, a Chicago-based gay rights group suspended disbelief to issue a stream of press releases condemning the “Lonesome No More Act,” which prompted the author to add an up-front … Continue reading
Is Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Springfield Winning Streak Over?
(Chicago, IL) – In Springfield Rahm was on roll. He won approval for his school plan to extend the school day and school year. He won approval for the DREAM act to help enable privately-funded scholarship for undocumented students. He won approval of his speed camera plan to fine speeding drivers in school zones. He … Continue reading
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy Pushes to Add Transgender, Immigrant, and Military to Punishable Hate Crimes
(Chicago, IL) – February 10, 2012. An Illinois House lawmaker last week introduced legislation that would add “gender identity, military status and immigration status” to Illinois’ list of punishable hate crimes. “This amendment to the hate crimes bill will create a truly inclusive act that will give law enforcement the tools they need to protect … Continue reading
David Ormsby, Editor
Gov. Pat Quinn
- McHenry County Blog | Pat Quinn Tells Truth about Pension ... Cal Skinner
- Pat Quinn Criticizes Scott Walker On Jobs The Huffington Post News Editors
- Will Governor Pat Quinn Sign Illinois Budget on Thursday? « Child ... Marge Berglind
- Quinn: Lawmakers Must 'Show Some Fortitude' On Pension ... Todd Feurer
- Governor Pat Quinn Puts His Foot Down On Gambling Expansion ... Mark
- Senate narrowly backs Quinn on facility closures - Capitol Fax.com Rich Miller
- Gov. Pat Quinn Releases 2011 Federal, Illinois Taxes David Ormsby
- Democurmudgeon: Gov. Pat Quinn exposes Scott Walker as a fake ... Democurmudgeon
- Chicago News Bench: No, Really, Pat Quinn Still Sucks More Than ... TM-1000
- Advocates Seek Illinois Child Welfare Vision from Governor Pat Quinn Marge Berglind
IL General Assembly
- General Assembly puts health exchange bill on back burner - Crain's Chicago Business May 10, 2012
- IL educators react to proposed state budget cuts - WREX-TV May 11, 2012
- Violence Against Women Act Survives Partisan Fight, Quinn Told Not To Close ... - Patch.com May 9, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - MarketWatch (press release) May 1, 2012
- You Paid For It: IL General Assembly Scholarship Program - FOX2now.com May 7, 2012
- Our Opinion: Anti-bully bill should get OK - The State Journal-Register May 10, 2012
- Illinois State University considers 4.4 percent tuition increase - Herald & Review May 10, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - PR Newswire (press release) May 1, 2012
- Asian-Americans to have state caucus - WBEZ May 8, 2012
- Suburban mayors also urge state to pass pension reform - Chicago Sun-Times May 10, 2012
The Capitol Fax Blog
- Question of the day May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Political cover or political payback? May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Illinois Needs Private Sector Jobs Now! Why Labor Leaders Support Senate Bill 1849 May 10, 2012 Advertising Department
- Senate narrowly backs Quinn on facility closures - Chamber backs Quinn pension reforms May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- House approves bill to effectively end free employee health insurance premiums May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 - VIDEO *** Smith hearing resumes today (LIVE Coverage and Video) May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 *** Not a big deal at all, but it’s probably time to delegate a bit more May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Morning Shorts May 10, 2012 Owen Irwin
- *** LIVE SESSION COVERAGE *** May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - COWL review, supplement to today’s edition and a Statehouse roundup May 10, 2012 Rich Miller