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Everything Illinoisans need to know about the SAFE-T Act

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The SAFE-T Act has been the source of plenty of controversy during the 2022 election cycle, becoming a favorite campaign issue for those skeptical of criminal justice reform broadly and no-cash bail in particular. Criminal justice reform advocates pushed back, labeling attacks on the bill as cynical fearmongering. So who is right? While some states have moved towards eliminating cash […]

What to know about buying recreational marijuana in Missouri

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This story was originally published by the Kansas City Beacon.  On Nov. 8, Missourians voted “yes” on Amendment 3, which legalized recreational use of marijuana, meaning you’ll now be able to buy weed, like marijuana flower or edibles, in the coming months. Starting Dec. 8, the state will begin transitioning its medical marijuana licenses to recreational licenses, […]

Filings begin for Quincy City Council seats

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QUINCY — Five people filed petitions to run for alderman on the first day of filing at Quincy City Hall. One contested race is already shaping up as incumbent Patty Maples (D-6th Ward) is getting a challenge from Republican Jake Reed. Maples is running for her first full term after being appointed in May following […]

Ten rural Missouri hospitals closed since 2012; Scotland County hopes to avoid that fate

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MEMPHIS, Missouri – In March, Scotland County Hospital’s auditors delivered a stark warning. After five consecutive years of losses, only federal COVID-19 payments received over the previous year had kept the 25-bed hospital’s bank account solvent. In the fiscal years covered by the audit, accounting firm BKD reported, the hospital lost $7.9 million — $2.3 million […]

Firings, corruption accusations create turmoil at struggling Scotland County Hospital; CEO fired, pharmacy closed, leaving cloud of suspicion

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MEMPHIS, Missouri – Joni Lloyd was in her pajamas when the call came. Lori Fulk, chair of the Scotland County Hospital District Board of Directors, was calling. She asked Lloyd, the vice-chair, to come to her house to talk. When Lloyd arrived the evening of Aug. 15, she found Fulk was not alone. An emergency […]

Missouri man awarded $441,000 after rocking chair collapses in state office

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A defective rocking chair will cost Missouri taxpayers $441,000, the Southern District Court of Appeals ruled Monday. In a case stemming from a 2015 accident at the Missouri Children’s Division office in Sikeston, the court ruled that Kenneth Gilmore, a grandfather injured when a rocking chair collapsed during a supervised visitation, must be compensated for his […]

With two session days left, SAFE-T Act changes could be forthcoming, ‘technical’ in nature

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SPRINGFIELD – Changes may yet come to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform before its Jan. 1 effective date, but some of its major proponents in the General Assembly said the results of the Nov. 8 general election have signified that the ship has sailed for drastic amendments to it. “I will say, when it […]

GOP chooses new leadership in Illinois General Assembly as Democrats retain control

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SPRINGFIELD – Republicans chose new leadership for their caucuses in the Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday night, while the two Democratic leaders have each announced they have the votes to maintain their positions. House Republicans elected Tony McCombie of Savanna and Senate Republicans chose John Curran of Downers Grove. The change in leadership comes after […]

Pritzker administration reopens housing assistance program for Illinois homeowners

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority announced the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund is now open to support qualified homeowners who need help with past-due mortgage payments and related expenses due to financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households may apply for grants of up to $60,000 — doubling the assistance previously available […]

Democrats prevail in hotly contested Missouri legislative races

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Missouri House Democrats had their best election night in years Tuesday, flipping six seats while losing only one. Democrats went into this year’s election knowing they had no realistic chance of regaining legislative majorities the party lost 20 years ago. They targeted, and obtained, gains from new district maps. According to unofficial results, Republicans will […]

ELECTION DAY 2022

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And Illinois offers same-day registration at your polling place or your county/election authority’s main vote center. A vote center is usually the office of the election authority, typically at the county courthouse, according to a spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections, where any voter can cast a ballot regardless of their precinct. ISBE noted that in Champaign, DuPage and the city of Chicago every polling place is a vote center.

Joplin hospital site of first confirmed federal investigation of denied emergency abortion

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President Joe Biden’s administration told hospitals in July they must provide emergency abortions when necessary even in states with strict bans in place.  And here in Missouri, a Joplin hospital is apparently the first in the nation to be investigated for possibly violating federal law by telling a woman experiencing an emergency that she needed to terminate her pregnancy to protect […]

Madigan, McClain enter not guilty pleas; 23-count indictment alleges bribery schemes involving ComEd, AT&T

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SPRINGFIELD – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime political ally Michael McClain entered not guilty pleas Tuesday to bribery and corruption charges involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison and telecommunications company AT&T Illinois. Both were charged previously in the ComEd scandal, but federal prosecutors last month added new charges involving AT&T after that […]

Sen. Tracy seeks stories, photos of veterans to be showcased at State Capitol

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — To pay tribute to veterans and honor their legacies and sacrifices, State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) is asking constituents to submit photos and stories of loved ones who served our nation for display on the first floor of the State Capitol. The “Honoring All Who Served” Veterans Day display is scheduled to […]

Pritzker, Ayala point to positive trends in report card, acknowledge pandemic’s toll

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SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker and State School Superintendent Carmen Ayala on Thursday touted some of the more positive findings from the 2022 school report card, insisting that Illinois schools are on the right track while also acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on student learning. “To say that these last two-and-a-half years have […]

Schools, students still recovering from pandemic learning loss, Illinois state report card shows

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SPRINGFIELD — Student test scores continued to fall last year but new data shows Illinois’ students are on the path to recovering from the learning loss that occurred during the pandemic. Numbers from standardized tests administered last spring show steep declines in the percentage of students who met or exceeded state standards in English language […]

Theis sworn in as Illinois Supreme Court chief justice amid possible election shake-up

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SPRINGFIELD – Justice Mary Jane Theis was sworn in Wednesday as chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, the fourth woman in the state’s history to hold the position. She’ll serve a three-year term replacing Justice Anne M. Burke, whose term as chief justice concluded Tuesday ahead of her planned retirement effective Nov. 30. Theis […]

Here’s a trick to save taxes on soaring Halloween candy prices in Illinois

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Illinois’ Halloween shoppers should expect to pay more for treats this October after federal reports found national candy prices jumped more than 13% since last holiday season – the largest single-year boost ever for candy. But there’s a way this year to trick the Illinois taxman out of about $1.50. U.S. candy makers attribute the unprecedented increase […]

Illinois COVID-related mortgage assistance program to reopen Nov. 1

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SPRINGFIELD – The state will reopen a mortgage assistance program for pandemic-impacted homeowners on Nov. 1. The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund, run through the Illinois Housing Development Authority, provides up to $30,000 in assistance to homeowners through payments made directly to mortgage servicers, taxing bodies or other approved entities. The program is funded through an […]

Commission recommends salary increases to address Missouri teacher shortage

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A state commission Tuesday laid out its recommendations to improve teacher recruitment and retention in Missouri, including a push to raise starting salaries that currently rank among the lowest in the nation. The State Board of Education approved the commission’s nine recommendations and pledged to bring the findings to the public and lawmakers. “I look forward to […]

Missouri governor doesn’t plan to issue blanket pardons for marijuana offenses

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While announcing a plan to pardon those with prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, President Joe Biden urged governor’s to follow suit for those convicted of state offenses.  Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who has granted clemency to more people than any Missouri governor in the past four decades, doesn’t appear ready to heed the president’s call.  In […]

Secretary of State’s Race: Giannoulias, Brady seek to replace White

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SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of state candidates Alexi Giannoulias, a Chicago Democrat and former state treasurer, and Dan Brady, a Republican state representative from Bloomington, each spent 45 minutes before a panel organized by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors in recent weeks. A full story about their plans for modernizing the office can be found here, […]

Tyson Foods sixth company to leave Illinois in 2022

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Tyson Foods is joining the list of companies relocating employees out of Illinois. Offices in Chicago and Downers Grove are closing for good, with 500 corporate jobs moving to their Arkansas headquarters in early 2023. Employees at the Tyson office in Dakota Dunes, S.D., will also be relocated to Arkansas. CEO Donnie King said consolidating employees will help […]

Voters will decide on ‘right to unionize’ constitutional amendment

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois voters will be asked in November to decide whether the right of workers to form unions and engage in collective bargaining should be enshrined in the state constitution. The first clause of the amendment contains two sentences. The first would establish a “fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively and to […]

Comptroller’s Race: Mendoza touts state’s fiscal progress, while Teresi focuses on recent corruption

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SPRINGFIELD – When former Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly spent more than two years at an impasse in negotiating a state budget from mid-2015 into 2017, the office of Illinois comptroller was thrust onto center stage. As the state’s chief fiscal officer, the comptroller is often referred to as manager of the […]

Brown County joins lawsuit challenging “SAFE-T Act”

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MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Brown County’s law enforcement officials have joined several of their colleagues from across the state to sue and challenge the legality of what is commonly known as the “SAFE-T Act.” On Monday, Brown County State’s Attorney Mike Hill and Sheriff Justin Oliver joined the suit against Illinois statewide officials Attorney General […]

Planned Parenthood launching mobile abortion clinic in Illinois to boost access in Missouri

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In an effort to fortify access to abortion throughout the Midwest and in Missouri, where the procedure is almost entirely banned, Planned Parenthood is launching a mobile clinic across the state line in southern Illinois.  The mobile clinic will be part of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, and will provide […]

High inflation could lead to property tax hikes in Illinois

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Illinoisans’ property taxes could increase 5% starting in 2023 as local governments consider raising rates by the maximum allowed level to offset losses from decades-high inflation. Truth in Accounting founder Sheila Weinberg  said Illinois experienced 7% inflation in 2021, the highest level reported since the state instituted a property tax cap in 1991. The Property Tax Extension […]

Pritzker says he’s considering SAFE-T Act changes, Bailey urges full repeal during virtual forum

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SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker is considering changes to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform to clarify provisions related to the end of cash bail in Illinois, while his Republican challenger, state Sen. Darren Bailey, continues to push for a full repeal. The candidates shared their thoughts Friday on those and other issues during a […]

Legislature sends $764 million income tax cut to Missouri governor; House ends effort to cut corporate income tax

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The Missouri House on Thursday abandoned its attempt to cut corporate income taxes after Gov. Mike Parson signaled his opposition to the move. Instead, House Republican leaders put a Senate-passed tax cut plan up for a vote, but not before one Democrat called “shenanigans” because the move blocked plans to offer amendments. By a 98-32 vote, the House sent […]

State to reduce $1.8 billion federal unemployment debt by $450 million

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SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced a plan Tuesday to reduce a $1.8 billion Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund deficit by $450 million through an infusion of unemployment-related revenues. The trust fund is the pool of money paid into by employers to provide a social safety net for unemployed individuals. The employer’s insurance premiums are essentially […]

Lange wants television debate but claims Miller hasn’t agreed to show up

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QUINCY — Paul Lange, the Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 15th Congressional District, has invited Republican opponent Mary Miller to a debate. A press release from Lange’s campaign team says Lange says he has expressed public enthusiasm for the opportunity to debate, even making posts about the topic on social media, but claims Miller has stayed silent […]

Illinois Treasurer’s Race: Frerichs touts investment gains, Demmer sees opportunity for GOP check

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SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, the role of state treasurer is that of chief investment officer. Treasurer Michael Frerichs has held that position for two full terms, winning by less than 10,000 votes in 2014 before cruising to an 18 percentage-point victory in 2018. He boasts that Illinois has topped $1.2 billion in interest gains on […]

Illinois grappling with nurse shortage which officials say will get worse

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A shortage of nurses has been developing in Illinois for many years, and officials say things could get worse.  The COVID-19 pandemic caused nurses to retire or leave the profession, but there were regional shortages before then, especially in downstate rural Illinois. According to the 2022 Trends in Nurse Staffing survey, more than 25% of […]

Scaled-back income tax cut wins initial approval in Missouri Senate

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The Missouri Senate gave first-round approval Tuesday to a $335 million income tax cut over objections from liberal members who saw fiscal problems ahead and conservative members who wanted deeper cuts. The bill, which needs a final vote before it moves to the Missouri House, is a pared-down version of the $700 million tax cut […]

What happens when cash bail ends? As task force works to ready justice system, amendments could be forthcoming

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SPRINGFIELD – Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, cash bail will be abolished in Illinois.  The measure that will eliminate it has been on the books since early 2021, giving the justice system two years to plan for the major overhaul of the state’s pretrial detention system. It’s also given time for the measure to become politicized […]

National Guard to assist migrant welcoming effort as Pritzker declares disaster

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SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday that Illinois will continue to welcome migrants bused here from Texas as he blasted that state’s governor for relocating them to other cities without sharing information or providing resources. Pritzker said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his agencies have been providing little notice for incoming migrants and has […]

Illinois tax rebate checks begin going out this week; income, property tax rebates were part of budget package

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SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday that Illinois taxpayers will soon start receiving rebates of their income and property taxes, either in the mail or by direct bank deposits. Speaking at a news conference in Chicago where he was flanked by other state officials and Democratic leaders of the General Assembly, Pritzker said the […]

Most Illinois taxpayers will be getting tax rebate from state; here’s everything you need to know

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Most Illinois taxpayers will soon be getting onetime income and property tax rebates from the state. Distribution of the money to qualifying residents started Monday, but state officials say it could take eight weeks to get money to everyone who’s eligible.  Here’s everything else you need to know about the rebates: Income tax rebates Who […]

Judge dismisses lawsuit that sought to block Missouri marijuana legalization from ballot

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A Cole County Circuit Court Judge Friday dismissed a lawsuit that sought to block an initiative petition to legalize recreational marijuana from appearing on the November ballot. A day after a three-hour hearing, Cole County Judge Cotton Walker determined Joy Sweeney, an anti-drug legalization activist who filed the lawsuit, lacked standing to sue because she […]

Illinois State Board of Education data shows statewide teacher shortage is myth

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Students and teachers are back in school across Illinois, but teachers unions keep claiming there are not enough teachers to run classrooms. That’s wrong. State data proves it. Teachers’ unions have perpetuated the teacher shortage myth. The Illinois Education Association claimed Aug. 28, 2022, the “teacher and education employee shortage [is] getting worse.” But according to data from […]

At a remote mental health facility, a culture of cruelty persists despite decades of warnings

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This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Capitol News Illinois and Lee Enterprises. Over a year ago, the security chief at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in southern Illinois sent an email to the head of the state agency that operates the facility, warning her of dangerous conditions inside. “What I […]

Texas begins busing migrants to Chicago; Pritzker, Lightfoot say they’re welcome, accuse Texas governor of racism

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SPRINGFIELD – At least 60 migrants arrived in Chicago Wednesday on buses from Texas as part of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s ongoing policy to send undocumented immigrants to so-called “sanctuary cities.” But Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, both Democrats, say the new arrivals are welcome in Illinois, and they are vowing […]

Pritzker makes abortion rights central issue; Democratic, GOP campaigns vie to define 2022 election

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SPRINGFIELD – Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that abortion rights will be a central issue in the 2022 election, not just in his bid for reelection but in races up and down the ballot. That includes races for Congress and the Illinois Supreme Court as well as the governor’s race and state legislative contests. […]

Missouri tax cut special session delayed at least a week as negotiations continue

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The legislature will not reconvene next week as previously planned to debate a $700 million tax cut proposal offered by Gov. Mike Parson, Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said in an email to staff Wednesday. Instead, the session is now scheduled to begin the following week, when lawmakers are already planning to be in town […]

Portillo’s expanding in states with better economies than Illinois

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Portillo’s, a hot dog and Italian beef restaurant brand synonymous with Chicago and Illinois, is focusing their expansion on out-of-state locations that treat businesses better. For new locations, CEO Michael Osanloo said Arizona, Florida and Texas will make up “at least the majority – if not the vast majority.” One of the reasons Osanloo cited is declining population in […]

Analysis: Energy bill fact checks needed after first Bailey-Pritzker forum

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SPRINGFIELD – There was a lot to unpack at last Wednesday’s candidate forum which saw Gov. JB Pritzker and his Republican challenger state Sen. Darren Bailey appear on the same stage, albeit at different times, for the first time this campaign season. For starters, I wrote an earlier article fact-checking the governor’s claim that eminent domain language […]

Missouri governor calls special session after Labor Day on $700 million income tax cut

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Gov. Mike Parson announced Monday that state lawmakers will be returning to the Missouri Capitol after the Labor Day weekend to weigh passing a $700 million income tax cut and slate of agricultural tax incentives. Parson’s proposal would lower the state’s top income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.8% and eliminate the bottom income tax […]

Pritzker delivers optimistic message, Bailey says Illinois in ‘dire situation’ during agricultural roundtable

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LEXINGTON – The candidates for Illinois governor faced questioning about their agriculture-related policies Wednesday in an outbuilding on a McLean County farm. Gov. JB Pritzker’s message was one of optimism, billing himself as the state’s “chief marketer.” His challenger, state Sen. Darren Bailey, a Republican from Xenia, told the room full of farmers that Illinois […]

Missouri’s new voter ID law faces lawsuit claiming it’s unconstitutional

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Voting-rights advocates filed a lawsuit Tuesday arguing that a new law requiring Missourians to present a government-issued photo ID to vote is unconstitutional. While lawmakers have approved voter ID laws numerous times, and voters signed off on putting it in the state constitution in 2016, the proposal has never withstood a legal challenge.  The voter ID law is […]

Lawsuit asks judge to block marijuana legalization from appearing on Missouri ballot

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An anti-drug legalization activist has filed a lawsuit arguing a recreational marijuana initiative petition was improperly certified by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and should not appear on the November ballot. The lawsuit was filed Friday in Cole County Circuit Court — the final day within the 10-day window outlined under state law for challenges to […]

Wrapping up the Illinois State Fair: 2022 hopefuls come out in force for one of state’s biggest campaign stages

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SPRINGFIELD – Along with fried foods, carnival rides and an 800-pound cow made of butter, the Illinois State Fair is known for its political theater. For the Statehouse press corps, it means we clear our schedules for at least two days in mid-August each year to take in the candidate stump speeches, hand shaking and […]

Bailey speaks to crowd of about 40 people outside Capitol, takes no questions from media

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Republican candidate for governor and state Sen. Darren Bailey continued his trend of not taking questions from the news media Tuesday after speaking at a small rally outside of the Illinois State Capitol. The rally was organized by Awake Illinois, an organization focused on parental rights that has also engaged in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and once […]

Pritzker talks session timeline, highlights infrastructure spending; gun, abortion-related bills could wait until new year

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SPRINGFIELD – In a series of downstate news conferences coinciding with the Illinois State Fair, Gov. JB Pritzker this week gave an update on the possibility of a special session, outlined new state infrastructure investments and announced a new program for some Illinoisans over age 55. While the governor quickly announced he would call a […]

CDC’s new COVID guidance drops requirements for exposure quarantines in Illinois schools

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SPRINGFIELD – With new guidance from the CDC that addresses the need to keep students in classrooms while protecting residents from COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education announced in a Friday press release they are adopting new operational guidance for schools and early education from the CDC that eases some restrictions […]

Pritzker eying Indiana firms after abortion law signed; Eli Lilly says it will look to expand outside Hoosier State

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SPRINGFIELD – Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said this week he is actively reaching out to businesses in Indiana and other states that have recently passed restrictive abortion laws in hopes of luring those companies to Illinois. “Well, already I’ve reached out to companies that are affected in Indiana. I want to make sure that they […]

Grain Belt Express promises to follow eminent domain law, but agriculture groups skeptical

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After a strongly worded demand from all of the Missouri agriculture community, the Grain Belt Express has agreed to follow the eminent domain law passed this past session as it builds its Tiger Connector line through Audrain, Callaway, and Monroe Counties. The Farm Bureau called out Invenergy, the owner of the Grain Belt […]

Missouri Democrats hope Kansas, Illinois will help pay for out-of-state residents’ abortions

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Missouri’s top Democratic lawmakers have yet to receive a formal response to letters urging governors in Kansas and Illinois to help pay for abortions for out-of-state Medicaid patients, though a Kansas lawmaker said it is highly unlikely given Republican dominance of the state’s legislature. In letters sent Wednesday and first reported by the Associated Press, House […]

Regulatory work behind push for 1 million electric vehicles in full swing in Illinois

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SPRINGFIELD – Ten months after Illinois lawmakers passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act which set a goal of putting 1 million electric vehicles on state roads by the end of the decade, state agencies are engaged in a flurry of regulatory planning aimed at meeting those goals. The effort to electrify the state’s transportation sector and ensure the […]

Illinois Attorney General’s Office: “Adams County has acknowledged that its closed session discussions…were improper” 

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QUINCY — The Illinois Attorney General’s office has received the recordings of the closed sessions of the Adams County Board and Finance Committee meetings for May and acknowledged the board’s actions were “improper”.

10-day sales tax reduction on clothing, school supplies begins Friday in Illinois

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SPRINGFIELD – Beginning Friday and lasting through Aug. 14, the state will reduce its sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent for certain clothing items costing less than $125 and school supplies. The “tax holiday” was included in Gov. JB Pritzker’s “family relief plan,” one prong of several bills making up the Fiscal […]

After learning of Bailey comment that Holocaust ‘doesn’t even compare’ to legalized abortion, Pritzker campaign creates online ad

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Within hours of a news report that GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey had said the Holocaust “doesn’t even compare” to legalized abortion in 2017 campaign video, Gov. JB Pritzker’s campaign was online with an ad publicizing the statement. “I believe that abortion is one of the greatest atrocities of our day and I believe it’s one […]

Eric…Schmitt wins Mo. GOP Senate primary, will face Busch Valentine in November

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Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt defeated a former governor and two U.S. Representatives on his way to the Republican nomination for one of Missouri’s two U.S. Senate seats. Missouri’s senior Senator, Republican Roy Blunt, is retiring at the end of his term. Schmitt will face Trudy Busch Valentine, an heiress to the Anheuser-Busch brewing dynasty. […]

Jackson crushes White in judges race and other Northeast Missouri election results

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John Jackson handily won his bid for re-election as Associate Circuit Judge, defeating Tyler White 3,420 votes to 804 votes. Jackson, the former prosecuting attorney in Marion County, has been on the bench since 1996. The 10th Judicial Circuit includes Marion, Ralls and Monroe counties. White, 31, was charged in June by Bryant with attempting […]

Judge grants defense until next year to file motions in racketeering case against Madigan, McClain

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The racketeering case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidant will likely not see any significant court action until next year after a judge Tuesday granted the defense a lengthy extension to review the massive pile of evidence turned over by prosecutors. In the first status hearing in the bombshell case […]

Adams County Board showed lack of trust in voters, political process when going behind closed doors

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Multiple County Board members said the information wasn’t sent the week before in the County Board packet, nor was the matter discussed at either the July County Board meeting or the July Finance Committee meeting.

Trump endorses ‘Eric’ in Missouri GOP Senate primary, but doesn’t clarify which one

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Former President Donald Trump finally issued his long anticipated endorsement in Missouri’s crowded GOP primary for U.S. Senate Monday night.  But it’s anybody’s guess which candidate he supports.  In a statement from his campaign, Trump endorsed “Eric,” without specifying whether he meant former Gov. Eric Greitens or Attorney General Eric Schmitt.  “I am therefore proud […]

Pritzker says monkeypox disaster declaration will aid in vaccine distribution; state expects to receive 13,000 doses from federal government

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SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker issued a public health emergency declaration and declared Illinois a disaster area in response to the monkeypox virus Monday, a move his office said would help mobilize resources. The governor’s office said the proclamation will aid in moving vaccines to the most impacted communities and will allow the Illinois Department […]

State announces plan for $760 million in opioid settlement money; attorney general was part of lawsuits against manufacturer, distributors

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SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced plans Friday for how the state will distribute its share of funds from a national settlement with opioid companies. Illinois expects to receive approximately $760 million over 18 years from a $26 billion national settlement with three opioid distributers – Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen […]

Thompson Center sale finalized; Google to be building’s lone occupant

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SPRINGFIELD – After years of failed efforts that spanned multiple administrations, the state has finalized the sale of the controversial James R. Thompson Center in Chicago to a company that will make it the new Chicago home of tech giant Google. Gov. JB Pritzker made the announcement during a news conference at the building, along […]

Democratic Party chair bows out in re-election bid, paving way for Hernandez heading into Saturday vote

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SPRINGFIELD – A contentious race for leadership of the state’s Democratic Party appears to be down to a single candidate ahead of a Saturday morning vote after the party’s current chair pulled herself from the running Friday. State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, backed by Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, appeared to have […]

Congresswoman Miller disagrees with Biden economic policy, agrees with Kinzinger censure suggestion

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Miller also said she would have one of her 15th District offices in Quincy. The last member of Congress to have an office in Quincy was Dick Durbin when he was a representative. His Quincy office closed in 1990 after redistricting and Quincy was represented by the late Lane Evans of Rock Island.

Illinois Democrats stump for 2024 Chicago convention as party chair vote looms

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SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Democrats are vying to make Chicago the host city for the Democratic National Convention in 2024 while considering who will lead their party for the next four years. Meanwhile, the state’s Republican Party is hearing calls for a censure of one of its sitting congressmen. Officials for the Democratic National Committee were […]

Poll shows Pritzker’s popularity remains steady as Biden’s slides in Illinois

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A new poll from the firm Morning Consult showed Gov. JB Pritzker’s approval rating at 51 percent among Illinois voters, or seven points “above water” in polling lingo. It’s the latest quarterly poll from the firm, and data included 14,258 registered voters polled from April 1 through June 30. While it’s a truism of polling that any […]

Gov. Parson issues drought alert for almost half of Missouri counties

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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson issued drought alerts in nearly half of Missouri counties Thursday, where exceptional heat and lack of rain threaten the state’s farmers and ranchers.  “Unfortunately, we don’t anticipate conditions improving soon,” Parson said in a news conference.  Fifty-three counties along or south of the Missouri River are affected by the alert. About three-quarters of the […]