THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER
Lou Lang
Wednesday Watch: The Most Expensive Illinois Legislative Primary? Judicial Pensions on the Table?…and More
(Springfield, IL) – And The Prize For Most Expensive Primary So Far Goes To… GOP State Senators Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Christine Johnson (R-Shabbona) for harvesting $581,100 with which to clobber each other. Second Prize Goes To… State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard) for vacuuming in $512,800 for their slugflest. … Continue reading
Video: Illinois Medical Marijuana Prospects Brighten Due to GOP Cooperation, Lou Lang Says
(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
U.S. House GOP Support Crumbles; Democrats Positioned to Regain House Next Year, New Poll Says
(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
New Report Says Illinois Captures Top Ten Slot–for Cutting Mental Health Care Funding
(Chicago, IL) — March 14, 2011. Illinois has captured another dubious distinction in its long-running budget crisis, snagging a spot among the top ten states for slashing funding for mental health care, a new report says. Continue reading
Easing Budget Crisis, Gov. Pat Quinn to Reduce Illinois Human Service Mid-Year Budget Cuts
(Chicago, IL) — February 24, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn has personally intervened to reduce the $208 million mid-year budgets cuts slated for the Illinois Department of Department Humans Services, cuts which had threaten to eliminate 80% of the Illinois substance abuse and treatment services and wipe out other human service programs by March 15, according … Continue reading
Rep. Lou Lang Sees Thorough Review, Changes for Illinois Senate Gaming Bill
(Springfield, IL) — December 2, 2010. Illinois State Senate-approved legislation to expand Illinois gaming faces a thorough review and likely changes in the Illinois House, according to House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie). Continue reading
Illinois Senate Approves Illinois Gaming Expansion; Prospects Uncertain in Illinois House
(Springfield, IL) — December 2, 2010. Reworked legislation to construct five new Illinois casinos, to boost the number of slot machines at existing Illinois river boats, and to add slots at Illinois racetracks yesterday cleared the Illinois State Senate 31-20-2, but faces uncertain prospects in the Illinois House and potential opposition from Governor Pat Quinn. Continue reading
Illinois Senate Panel Advances Reworked Illinois Gaming Expansion Bill
(Springfield, IL) — December 1, 2010. Reworked legislation to add five Illinois casinos, boost the number of slot machines at existing river boats, and field slots at Illinois racetracks yesterday advanced out of a key Illinois State Senate committee into an uncertain future before the full senate and into even murkier waters in the Illinois House–if it gets that far. Continue reading
Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Fails 53-59
(Springfield, IL) – November 30, 2010. House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) today witnessed the Illinois medical marijuana legislation, which he has championed for two-years, fall short in an Illinois House vote today, losing 53-59-1. Continue reading
Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Passage Prospects Good, Says Rep. Lou Lang
(Springfield, IL) – November 29, 2010. House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) today said that he will call medical marijuana legislation for a vote in Illinois House on Tuesday. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Bill Brady Distances Himself from Tea Party as Key-Voting Groups Abandon Protest Movement, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — October 27, 2010. Illinois GOP governor candidate Bill Brady is bringing conservative GOP southern governors to a campaign Tea Party rally in Will County while downplaying the event’s “Tea Party” sponsorship, a distancing which comes on the heels of new polling data that reveals that self-identified Tea Party membership is slumping nationally, particularly among key voting groups. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Outpacing Bill Brady, Gov. Pat Quinn Reports $1.2 Million in Campaign Cash within 48 Hours
(Chicago, IL) — October 22, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn reported late tonight that his campaign hauled in a whopping $1.2 million in campaign cash within the last 48 hours, according to state election records. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Appoints Michelle Saddler New Chief Staff; Rep. Lou Lang Praises Move
(Chicago, IL) — August 24, 2010. In the wake of former Chief of Staff Jerry Stermer‘s abrupt resignation over a minor ethics flap, Governor Pat Quinn today named Michelle Saddler as his Chief of Staff . Saddler has been serving as the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). Prior to DHS post, … Continue reading
Lou Lang: Illinois Minimum Wage Hike for 400,000 Workers, 70,000 New Jobs Boost Illinois Economy, Governor Pat Quinn
Guest Column by House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) (Skokie, IL) — July 20, 2010. The Illinois economy has recently generated some welcome news on a couple fronts for both Illinois workers and Governor Pat Quinn. First, the Illinois minimum wage increased to $8.25 an hour on July 1, after increasing to $8.00 only … Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn OKs Rep Sara Feigenholtz’s Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission Bill
(Skokie, IL) — July 15, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that creates the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission. “We must remember the tragedy of the Holocaust and other genocides that have occurred throughout history,” said Governor Quinn. “The Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission will remind everyone in Illinois of the … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Governor Pat Quinn Saves AIDS Drugs Program from Budget Cuts
(Chicago, IL) – July 1, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn announced today that state funding for the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program would be spared. In fact, Quinn will help more people. The program, which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV, will be sufficiently funded to “serve approximately 4,500 clients a month – … Continue reading
Illinois Legislature: Illinois State Police Reverse Opposition to Medical Marijuana Legislation, Say Senator Bill Haine and Rep. Lou Lang
(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
Illinois Legislature: Senator Kwame Raoul Picks Up Bill to Fuse Governor-Lt. Governor Campaigns
(Springfield, IL) — March 17, 2010. State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) has snagged chief sponsorship of a House bill that requires candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor to run as a team during the primary election. The legislation, House Bill 5820, initiated by House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie), which maintains the controversial office … Continue reading
Illinois Elections: House Elections Panel Approves Lou Lang Plan to Merge Governor and Lt. Governor in Primary Election
(Springfield, IL) — February 24, 2010. A divided House panel approved a bill that requires candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor to run as a team during the primary election. The legislation, House Bill 5820, sponsored by House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie), which maintains the controversial office in the state constitutional line-up, drew … Continue reading
Illinois Legislature: Rep Carol Sente Wins House Approval, 90-16, to Ban Child Sex Offender Employment at “Fairs”; Conservatives, Liberals Oppose
(Springfield, IL) – February 18, 2010. The Illinois House yesterday overwhelming approved legislation that would ban child sex offenders from working at local municipal fairs. The bill, House Bill 4675, sponsored by State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills), zoomed through the House, 90-16-6, with bipartisan support. However, the opposition, tiny as it was, was bipartisan, … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Attorney General Lisa Madigan Tips Her Hand in House Race to Succeed John Fritchey–and It’s Ann Williams
(Chicago, IL) — January 19, 2010. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has tipped her hand in the race on Chicago’s north side to succeed John Fritchey in Illinois’ 11th House district. Madigan’s preferred candidate in the Democratic primary–which includes attorneys Dan Farley and Ed Mullen–is Ann Williams. How do we know? A drive by the … Continue reading
Speaker Michael Madigan Sets Jobs Task Force, 30 Lawmakers Join in 2 Days
(Chicago, IL) – December 21, 2009. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) last week created a new, bi-partisan jobs task force to address Illinois’ 10.9% November unemployment rate. Madigan appointed Deputy House Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) as chair as the Bipartisan Jobs Creation Task Force. Lang said the task force will focus on targeted … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Mike Quigley Endorses State Rep Candidate Dan Farley; Takes Subtle Swipe At Opponent Ann Williams
(Chicago, IL) — December 21, 2009. The gloves are off. In the race to succeed to succeed State Rep. John Fritchey on Chicago’s north side, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) today endorsed former Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Farley and took scarcely veiled swipe at one of Farley’s opponents, Ann Williams. “Dan Farley is … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Sara Feigenholtz Endorses State Rep Candidate Ann Williams for John Fritchey’s House Seat
(Chicago, IL) — December 18, 2009. Democratic state representative candidate Ann Williams has reeled in a key endorsement from State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) for the 11th district House seat being vacated by John Fritchey on Chicago’s north side. “[Ann Williams] has the experience, smarts, and tenacity to push for solutions that make a real … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Dem State Rep Candidate Ann Williams Snags Plum AFL-CIO Endorsement
(Chicago, IL) — December 9, 2009. Democratic state representative candidate Ann Williams, who is seeking the House seat on Chicago’s north side being vacated by John Fritchey, snagged a hugely important endorsement from the Illinois AFL-CIO on Tuesday. Williams, who faces attorneys Ed Mullen and Dan Farley in the Democratic primary, adds the AFL-CIO endorsement … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Barbara Currie, Lou Lang Endorse State Rep Candidate Ann Williams, Giving Boost to Campaign to Succeed John Fritchey
House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) and Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie)–the number two and three leaders respectively in the Illinois House–have endorsed Ann Williams’ candidacy. Continue reading
Cronin, Froehlich, Kotowski and Lang Get “Champion for Children” Honors
(Chicago, IL) – December 3, 2009. The Child Care Association of Illinois today bestowed its “Champion for Children” award on four Illinois state lawmakers for their legislative initiatives in behalf of Illinois abused and neglected children and foster families. Being honored were: State Rep. Paul Froehlich (D-Schaumburg), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), State Senator Dan … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Signs Schoenberg, Reitz Law to Grab $1.15 Billion from Feds for Illinois Hospitals
(Chicago, IL) — November 20, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation at a press conference today that could draw an estimated $1.15 billion in new federal Medicaid dollars to Illinois to help speed payments to thousands of local hospitals, fund social service providers, and provide relief to the state’s beleaguered budget. “Trucking off to Children’s … Continue reading
Illinois Legislature: Tom Cross Worries Pat Quinn Will Sell Lincoln’s Tomb; Maloney; Steans, Lang, Feigenholtz, Jones, and Luechtefeld
“It would be irresponsible for a governor to move forward on something of this magnitude. without having a debate on it,” Tom Cross said Monday. “What if he says tomorrow that he’s going to sell Lincoln’s Tomb?” Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections–Round’em Up: Pat Quinn and Dan Hynes Clash at Candidate Forum; Mell, Laiacona, Madigan, Lang, Connor, Meister, Biss, Mullen, Raoul, Burns, and Poshard
Governor Pat Quinn and Dan Hynes slugged it out at their first joint appearance at a candidate forum in Rock Island on Thursday night. Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Pat Quinn Gets Fritchey, Lang, Silverstein Endorsements–Chicago Tribune Says “…Former Blagojevich Allies”
(Chicago, IL) — November 6, 2009. Illinois Democratic lawmakers State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), Deputy House Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie), and State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) today endorsed Governor Pat Quinn in the Illinois 2010 Democratic primary for governor over Comptroller Dan Hynes at a press conference on Chicago’s North Side. Hynes, a constituent … Continue reading
David Ormsby, Editor
Gov. Pat Quinn
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- Teachers picket against pension changes : News : ConnectTriStates ... KHQA Newsdesk
- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Endorses Gay Marriage unknown
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- 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
- Our View: Illinois pensions, casinos and Rockford's new bishop in stew - Rockford Register Star May 13, 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