THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER
Senate President John Cullerton
Senate President John Cullerton Gets New Chief of Staff
(Springfield, IL) – November 29, 2011. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton today announced key changes to the Senate Democratic staff. Ex-Senate staffer David Gross will succeed Andrew Manar as Chief of Staff. Manar is running for an Illinois Senate seat located in Springfield. “I especially want to acknowledge the contribution of Andy Manar, who has … Continue reading
Mayor Emanuel, Speaker Madigan, Fund-Raising Boost Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s Election Campaign against Paula Basta
(Chicago, IL) – November 19, 2011. In a significant boost to Chicago Democratic State Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s election chances, Chicago’s newly minted mayor and the state’s powerful House Speaker have rolled out their backing for the first-term North Side lawmaker. Continue reading
Despite Criticism by Lisa Madigan of Illinois Workers Compensation Reform, Gov. Pat Quinn Signs Bill
(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
Cullerton, Madigan Announce Joint House-Senate Tax Panel to Review Illinois Business Taxes
(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
Governor Pat Quinn Gets Illinois Capital Construction Deal
(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
AUDIO: Governor Pat Quinn Says He Will Put Massive Illinois Gaming Expansion Bill Under a “Microscope”
(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
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
Speaker Michael Madigan Backs Plan to Oust Quinn Appointees Without Illinois Senate Confirmation
(Springfield, IL) — February 14, 2011. House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has gotten behind Senate President John Cullerton’s legislative effort to oust appointees of ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich or Governor Pat Quinn whose terms have expired or whose appointment has not received the consent of the senate. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Wants “Grassroots” Campaign to Pressure Lawmakers on Bonding Bill
(Chicago, IL) — February 4, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn‘s Administration is seeking to launch a “grassroots” campaign to build legislative support for a $8.7 billion bonding bill that would pay the Illinois’ overdue bills. Quinn’s staff started today reaching out to lobbyists and key state vendors asking them to sign a letter to lawmakers advocating … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Says He Will Sign Illinois Income Tax Increase Bill
(Springfield, IL) — January 13, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn said he would give his signature to a 67% personal income tax increase. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Agrees to 75% Illinois Income Tax Increase to Balance Illinois Budget
(Springfield, IL) – January 7, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn and top legislative Democrats in Springfield say they have an agreement that will erase Illinois’ $15 billion deficit, send more money to Illinois schools and limit state spending for three years. Continue reading
Cardinal Francis George Opposition to Illinois Civil Unions Swept Aside, Illinois House Approves Plan
(Chicago, IL) — November 30, 2010. In 1996, Illinois and 14 other states approved “Defense of Marriage of Act” laws to outlaw same-sex marriages and to refuse to recognize such marriages recognized in other states, but Illinois today partially undid that injustice. 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
Illinois Elections 2010: Illinois Senate Democrats Outraise GOP Counterparts 2 to 1
(Chicago, IL) — October 18, 2010. In the fund-raising period July 1 through October 3, 2010, Senate President John Cullerton’s senate Democratic fund outraised Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno’s GOP senate committee two to one. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Sen. John Mulroe Leads Brian Doherty in Late Campaign Money Chase
(Chicago, IL) — October 12, 2010. With 20 days remaining until the November 2, 2010 general election, appointed State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) is so far leading GOP challenger and 41st Ward Alderman Brian Doherty in the late campaign money fund-raising phase. Continue reading
Senate President John Cullerton Taps Senator Dan Kotowski to Take Lead Role in Pushing New Illinois Budget Law
(Chicago, IL) – October 6, 2010. State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) announced this week that he has been tapped by the Illinois senate president to take the lead role in the implementation a new state budget law. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Signs Senator Dan Cronin DuPage Water Commission Reform Bill without Apparent Pension Bond Deal Vote
(Chicago, IL) – July 30, 2010. Without fanfare, horns or trumpets, Governor Pat Quinn yesterday quietly signed a bill to reform the DuPage water board and ditch its tax without apparently securing support from the legislation’s sponsor to back a state pension bond bill. Quinn penned his approval of the measure, Senate Bill 580, that … Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn’s “Open Primary” Push is Fish Food
Governor Pat Quinn on Tuesday stretched his executive authority—along with his goodwill with Illinois lawmakers—and rewrote legislation to eliminate the requirement that Illinois residents must declare a party affiliation when voting in a primary election, and in doing so likely guaranteed its doom. Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Senate President John Cullerton Aims for Hyper-Majority
(Chicago, IL) — June 15, 2010. Most Democrats are in a defensive crouch as the November 2010 elections approach. Not Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago). Cullerton, who is serving his first term as Senate President, says he is looking to add seats this year to his current 37-22 super-majority in the Illinois Senate. At … Continue reading
Illinois Pensions: “In Praise of Illinois” – Wall Street Journal
(Chicago, IL) — April 8, 2010. Who would have ever thought that Democrats Governor Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) might have squeezed from the ultra-conservative Wall Street Journal the headline–”In Praise of Illinois.” But, yep. Last month, Madigan and Cullerton engineered legislative approval of an astounding pension-reform … Continue reading
Illinois Govenor Race 2010: Dan Hynes Extends Olive Branch–and Chance for Victory–to Governor Pat Quinn
(Chicago, IL) February 8, 2010. Comptroller Dan Hynes has extended an olive branch–and a chance for victory in November–to Governor Pat Quinn. Hynes has signaled that he is willing to consider the Lt. Governor’s post if it is offered, according to Dave McKinney at the Chicago Sun-Times: A source in the Hynes camp told the … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Anti-Incumbent Sentiment in 2010 at 1994 Levels, New Pew Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — November 13, 2009. Americans are pissed. Incumbents are in trouble. And Independents are breaking towards Republicans as the 2010 elections approach. It’s morning in America–circa 1994. Approximately 2/3rds of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. At least 9 out 10 say economic conditions in the country are fair or … 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
- Detective Shaved Longcock: Gov Quinn coughs up over $73 ... Det. Shaved Longcock
- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Endorses Gay Marriage unknown
- Democurmudgeon: Gov. Pat Quinn exposes Scott Walker as a fake ... Democurmudgeon
- McHenry County Blog | Pat Quinn Tells Truth about Pension ... Cal Skinner
- Quinn Launches “Save Our State" Website | Chicago Tonight | WTTW Yasmin Rammohan
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
- Chicago Cubs, Obama controversy part of final days of legislative session - Examiner.com May 19, 2012
- Feds give Illinois more money for insurance exchange as Legislature stalls - Crain's Chicago Business May 17, 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