THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER
Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois Unpaid Bills Total $4.5 Billion-$19 Million More than Last March
(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
Senator Matt Murphy Favors Illinois Budget Deal Pushed into Summer Overtime
(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
Speaker Michael Madigan Says House Budget Revenue Projection Would Prevail over Senate’s
(Springfield, IL) — March 31, 2011. A budgetary battle could be brewing in the state Capitol, but not necessarily between Republicans and Democrats. Continue reading
John Cullerton, Christine Radogno Say Caterpillar, Others Claim Illinois Business Climate Is More than Illinois Taxes
(Springfield, IL) — March 29, 2011. Illinois recent jump in income tax across the board is getting a lot of attention after the leader of Caterpillar Corp. says other states are wooing him to relocate. Continue reading
Illinois Witnessed $2.2 Billion Tax Income Drop in 2010
(Springfield, IL) — March 28, 2011. Tax money coming into state and local governments in Illinois fell sharply — by $2.2 billion dollars between 2009 and 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn’s Plan to Cut Illinois School Bureaucracy Draws Little Legislative Support
(Springfield, IL) — March 25, 2011. Illinois’ regional superintendents are realizing they might not make the cut for state money in Gov. Pat Quinn’s attempt to close the more than $13 billion budget gap. Continue reading
Illinois Businesses, Labor Seek Plan to Pay Illinois’ $2.8 Billion Unemployment Debt to U.S.
(Springfield, IL) — March 18, 2011. Business and labor groups are meeting to hammer out a plan to pay off the state’s $2.8 billion unemployment debt to the federal government, with both groups apparently sharing in the pain. Continue reading
Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno Pushes Illinois Budget Cuts, Aiming Ax at Education, Human Services
(Springfield, IL) — March 17, 2011. Illinois Senate Republicans are pushing a plan that shaves $5 billion off of Governor Pat Quinn’s introduced budget of $35.4 billion. The cuts are necessary if the state is to finally dig itself out of the budget hole of the past several years, senators said Thursday. Continue reading
State Rep. David Leitch Questions $336 Million Raises at Illinois Department of Human Services
(Springfield, IL) – March 4, 2011. It’s going to be a tough year for the Illinois Department of Human Services if it can’t find places to trim its budget, consolidate and address the rationale behind recent pay raises. Continue reading
Extra $1 Billion is “Found” for Illinois Budget
(Springfield, IL) – March 2, 2011. Illinois may have just over a billion dollars that’s not included in Governor Pat Quinn’s new budget. But lawmakers in Springfield say just because they may have the extra cash, it doesn’t mean they will spend it. Continue reading
Illinois College Savings Program Increases by $62 Million, New Report Says
(Springfield, IL) — January 24, 2011. More Illinois families are saving for college, at least according to the latest financial report by Auditor General William Holland. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Veto of Illinois Death Penalty Bill Possible
(Chicago, IL) — January 13, 2011. The day after the busiest lame-duck session of the General Assembly in recent history, Gov. Pat Quinn said he was unsure whether he would approve the abolition of the death penalty. Continue reading
Rep. Lou Lang Sees Illinois Gambling Expansion Vote by End of Week
(Springfield, IL) – January 4, 2010. In order to get five new casinos, Illinois lawmakers may be willing to make it easier for the state’s 10 existing riverboats to expand. Continue reading
John Cullerton, Christine Radogno Launch Effort to Reform Illinois Medicaid, Workers Compensation
(Chicago, IL) – November 19, 2010. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) have charged a few select lawmakers with reforming the state’s Medicaid program and workers’ compensation system – by January 3. Continue reading
Senator Ira Silverstein Takes Aim to Ban Four Loko, other Alcohol-Caffeine Drinks
State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) this week introduced legislation that would keep all alcohol-caffeine drinks off store shelves in Illinois. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Dem State Reps. Bob Flider, Mike Smith, and Candidate Charles Landers Locked in $1 Million Races
Political science professor Chris Mooney with the University of Illinois at Springfield said he would not be surprised if this was the most expensive election period for General Assembly races in the state’s history. Continue reading
Bill Brady Criticizes Pat Quinn’s Labor Union Deal, Cuts His Own Labor Union Deal
(Chicago, IL) – October 7, 2010. Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady has seized on Governor Pat Quinn‘s deal with his backers in one of the state’s largest labor unions as evidence that he is just another Rod Blagojevich. But the Bloomington senator may have his own endorsement deal to answer for, after a month of … Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Gov. Pat Quinn Hoping to Capitalize on Capital Cash Awards
(Chicago, IL) – September 28, 2010. Downstate Illinois has seen an influx of state cash and personal visits from Governor Pat Quinn, as the Chicago Democrat looks to reverse his unpopularity in the region. Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Appointment of Lisa Madigan to U.S. Senate Was Blagojevich Lie, Alibi, John Harris Says
(Chicago, IL) — June 23, 2010. While Illinois was waiting for its newest U.S. senator to be named, FBI wiretaps reveal former Governor Rod Blagojevich was playing political games. And those games started almost immediately upon the election of Barack Obama to the presidency. “You’re pitting one team against another like a free agent,” he … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Ex-Deputy Governor Bradley Tusk “Disgusted” by Blagojevich’s Actions; Judge Zagel Stymies Sheldon Sorosky
(Chicago, IL) — June 22, 2010. The jury in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has repeatedly received firsthand accounts of the former governor’s alleged misdeeds, but the prosecution took a break from questioning co-conspirators on Monday and put one of the governor’s alleged victims, educator Donald Feinstein, on the stand. … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Blagojevich Buddy Lon Monk Admits Corruption Conspiracy Began in Summer 2002; Says Ex-Governor Knew of Law-Breaking
(Chicago, IL) — June 10, 2010. A man who was once one of Rod Blagojevich’s closest friends and a top aide said the former Illinois governor knew what he was doing was “wrong” when he met with now-convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko. Alonzo ”Lon” Monk, who served as Blagojevich’s chief of staff when he took … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Sam Adam, Jr. Vs. Carrie Hamilton Vs. Mike Ettinger
(Chicago, IL) — June 9, 2010. Opening arguments in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich kicked off on Tuesday afternoon, as the prosecution and defense team met for the first time in open court. The difference in styles was readily apparent. Federal prosecutor Carrie Hamilton took the 18-member jury through the … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Mike Jackobs Says a “Governor Bill Brady” Will Need to Swallow an Illinois Tax Increase
(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
Illinois Budget: Despite Illinois Constitution, Pat Quinn’s Budget Eliminates Lt. Governor’s $139,200 Salary
(Springfield, IL) — March 17, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn‘s budget is not doing anything to make Illinois’ odd situation with the lieutenant governor’s office any less odd. Quinn has said since the debacle with Scott Lee Cohen — which left the Democrats without a lieutenant governor candidate – that he supports keeping the position. However, … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: GOP State Rep. Jim Sacia Says Pat Quinn’s 33% Income Tax Increase Not Big Enough; Other Lawmakers Respond
(Springfield, IL) — March 11, 2010. The state faces a staggering $13 billion deficit and Governor Pat Quinn’s budget plan calls for $2 billion in cuts, $4 billion in short-term borrowing and a 33 percent increase in the state income tax rate to cover state costs. Illinois’ current income tax rate stands at a flat … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: In Response to Pat Quinn Budget Proposal, Bill Brady Sticks to His 10% Cut, Despite Jim Edgar Calling it “Naive”
(Springfield, IL) — March 11, 2010. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady on Wednesday called Governor Pat Quinn’s fiscal year 2011 budget a “catastrophe,” insisting his own plan for a 10 percent across-the-board cut would balance the budget and dig the state out of its $13 billion hole. His comments came after Quinn’s budget speech to … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: State Senator Bill Brady Gets What He Wished For
(Springfield, IL) — March 4, 2010. The latest proposal from Democratic state senators to fix the budget looks a lot like an idea from the presumptive GOP gubernatorial candidate, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). In a committee on Wednesday, state senators discussed a proposed 10 percent cut to some of the state’s most expensive programs, … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Fiscal Crisis Strikes Senators Dan Duffy, Pam Althoff; Reps Mike Bost, Mike Smith, Others
(Springfield, IL) — February 11, 2010. Illinois’ deadbeat status is now reaching into politicians’ pockets, as lawmakers face “past due” bills for office rent, medical charges and other payments. Some lawmakers are facing up to $10,000 in late payments and it’s starting to take its toll. State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Barrington) said the state has … Continue reading
Illinois Legislature: Senator John Millner Pushes Red Light Camera Bill, Claims Public Safety Boosted; Senator Dave Syverson Disagrees
(Springfield, IL) — February 10, 2010. Red light cameras may be coming to an intersection near you. State Senator John Millner (R-St. Charles) has introduced legislation streamlining operation of the cameras. Currently, only Chicago and nearby counties use the traffic-control tools. “The whole point of this legislation is to reduce traffic violations,” Millner said. “We’re … Continue reading
Illinois Legislature: State Senator Larry Bomke, State Rep Pat Verschoore See No Hope for Governor Pat Quinn’s Income Tax Plan This Year
(Springfield, IL) — February 9, 2010. The primary is over, but the waiting is not for Illinois lawmakers. The Illinois House and Senate return to Springfield this week, and lawmakers have low expectations. Many legislators say they doubt much of anything will happen during this legislative session. State Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) said the state … Continue reading
Advocates Back Governor Pat Quinn’s Short-Term Loan Plan to Pay Illinois Budget Bills, Dan Hynes Refuses to Budge Opposition
(Springfield, IL) — January 8, 2010. Pharmacies, nursing homes and other medical institutions that provide Medicaid services in Illinois are seeing an increase in wait time for payments from the state. In past years, 45 business days was the maximum time period a Medicaid provider had to wait for state reimbursement, but now it can … Continue reading
Stop the Presses—A New News Operation–Illinois Statehouse News—Opens in Springfield
(Springfield, IL) – December 3, 2009. A fresh set of eyes and ears will be covering Illinois state government. Thank goodness. Illinois Statehouse News, or ISN, is a group of journalists dedicated to covering issues of importance to Illinoisans has placed its stake in Springfield. “Cash-strapped news organizations are cutting back in many areas including … Continue reading
David Ormsby, Editor
Gov. Pat Quinn
- Pat Quinn On Gay Marriage: Illinois Governor Endorses Marriage ... The Huffington Post News Editors
- Hon. Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois « City Club Chicago Videos city club chicago
- FREEDOMISMIST: PAT QUINN MAY BE ABLE STAY OUT OF ... Eileen
- Governor Pat Quinn Puts His Foot Down On Gambling Expansion ... Mark
- Teachers picket against pension changes : News : ConnectTriStates ... KHQA Newsdesk
- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Endorses Gay Marriage unknown
- Democurmudgeon: Gov. Pat Quinn exposes Scott Walker as a fake ... Democurmudgeon
- Quinn Launches “Save Our State" Website | Chicago Tonight | WTTW Yasmin Rammohan
- McHenry County Blog | Pat Quinn Tells Truth about Pension ... Cal Skinner
- Pat Quinn Criticizes Scott Walker On Jobs The Huffington Post News Editors
IL General Assembly
- Illinois General Assembly Approves Money to Keep Day Care Center Open, Bill ... - WJBD Online May 18, 2012
- State's Minimum Wage Could Become Highest in Country - Patch.com May 18, 2012
- Legislative update: Budget, pension, Medicaid await Illinois General Assembly ... - NIU Today May 15, 2012
- General Assembly puts health exchange bill on back burner - Crain's Chicago Business May 10, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - MarketWatch (press release) May 1, 2012
- Personal property tax diversion goes nowhere in legislature - The State Journal-Register May 16, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - PR Newswire (press release) May 1, 2012
- Feds give Illinois more money for insurance exchange as Legislature stalls - Crain's Chicago Business May 17, 2012
- Chicago Cubs, Obama controversy part of final days of legislative session - Examiner.com May 19, 2012
- Mayor John Spring: Public safety will suffer if state cuts funds to Quincy - Quincy Herald Whig May 18, 2012
The Capitol Fax Blog
- Reader comments closed for the weekend May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Chicago Tribune: Coal plant closures could send electricity costs soaring May 18, 2012 Advertising Department
- Protected: *** UPDATED x5 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: This just in… May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Question of the day May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- OK, so where’s your plan? May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Caption contest! May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Topinka: Cigarette tax hike a “common sense solution” May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Slots at tracks a possibility? Maybe May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- AFSCME loses appeal over canceled raises May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 - Ricketts gave preliminary approval, lauded TV ad *** Cubs owners try damage control May 18, 2012 Rich Miller