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Illinois Politics

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

Illinois jobless rate falls to lowest point since start of pandemic; 4.5% remains higher than surrounding states, national average

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois economy added 18,800 jobs during June as the unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, the lowest it has been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is down one-tenth of a percentage point from May, and down two full percentage points from June 2021. Preliminary numbers released by the U.S. […]

Illinois State Police broaden use of ‘clear and present danger’ reports in FOID reviews

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The change is meant to address gaps in the process that were identified in the wake of the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park. The alleged shooter in that case had been the subject of a clear and present danger investigation, but under standards used at that time, ISP determined there was insufficient evidence to support such a determination.

Illinois unemployment rate drops to pre-pandemic levels

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has announced the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 4.5 percent, the lowest the rate has been since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, and nonfarm payrolls increased by +18,800 in June, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES.

McClain/ComEd trial pushed back to March

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The group was originally charged in November 2020, and they had previously been set to go to trial in September. But U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber, who presides over the case, is also set to preside in August over the trial of R&B star and convicted sexual predator R. Kelly. Kelly’s trial on child pornography and obstruction of justice charges was recently pushed back two weeks, which was enough to knock the ComEd case off the calendar.

How state laws regulate firearm purchases: Highland Park shooter bought assault weapon despite previous police run-ins

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A mass shooting in Highland Park at a Fourth of July parade prompted questions about how the suspect was able to obtain a gun in a state with some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. Law enforcement officials have said that the Highland Park shooting suspect, Robert Crimo III, 21, legally purchased and […]

Holder White sworn in as first Black woman on state Supreme Court, replaces Garman

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SPRINGFIELD — Lisa Holder White was sworn in Thursday as the first Black woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. Holder White, who previously served on the 4th District Court of Appeals, was chosen to succeed one of her mentors in the legal profession, retiring Justice Rita B. Garman, who broke many barriers herself as […]

State general revenues top $50 billion for first time in FY 2022; pandemic-driven windfalls not expected to last long into current year

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SPRINGFIELD — State tax revenues grew by $5.5 billion in the fiscal year that concluded on June 30, exceeding $50 billion for the first time in Illinois’ history, according to a new report from a state budgeting agency. The 12 percent base revenue growth in Fiscal Year 2022 gave lawmakers near-unprecedented flexibility in the current budget year. […]

Justices urge lawmakers to allow more public access to rivers; access now limited to rivers with commercial traffic

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that the public has no right to boat, fish or swim in small rivers that flow across private property, but two justices are urging the General Assembly to change that law. “The legislature should redefine navigability to be more inclusive because that would promote the State’s interest […]

Pritzker says balanced budget, ‘big things’ remain priority ahead of second term

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SPRINGFIELD – Inflation, crime, pandemic response, abortion rights and Donald Trump are all set to be major issues in the 2022 race for Illinois governor, if the winning candidates’ election night speeches are any guide. “(Gov. JB) Pritzker doesn’t understand how skyrocketing gas prices and soaring food prices make everyday life harder for Illinois families […]

Illinois drivers pay 54 cents more per gallon than average U.S. driver ahead of July 4 weekend

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AAA estimates a record-setting 42 million people will pack up the car and hit the road this Independence Day weekend, but those heading out of Illinois will see a pattern: cheaper gas almost everywhere else. The average price of a gallon of gas June 29 in Illinois was $5.41 – 54 cents higher than the national average of $4.87, […]

Temporary tax relief measures to begin Friday in Illinois; rebates to be mailed, other taxes put on temporary pause

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will receive some modest tax relief starting Friday when the state’s new fiscal year begins. That includes some income tax rebates, property tax rebates, a suspension of the state’s 1 percent tax on groceries, and a six-month pause on the scheduled inflationary increase in the state’s motor fuel tax. Gov. JB Pritzker […]

Davis makes one last stop in Quincy before primary voters head to polls in tightly-contested 15th District race

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QUINCY — Rodney Davis said he believes former President Donald Trump got “bad advice” regarding his endorsement of Mary Miller, who he’s running against in the Republican primary for the 15th District. Trump called Miller ‘a fearless America First patriot” before he introduced her during Saturday’s “Save America!” rally at the Adams County Fairgrounds in […]

Six candidates have wide range of backgrounds in Republican primary for Illinois governor

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SPRINGFIELD – Republican voters in Illinois will choose from six candidates to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in the upcoming June 28 primary. The field includes a conservative farmer and state lawmakers who is the recent polling frontrunner, the mayor of Illinois’ second largest city, a former state senator and three political newcomers. Darren Bailey […]

Local Democrats scramble to put together rally; ‘We’re just trying to let people know there are alternatives’

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QUINCY — The Adams County Democrats felt they had to respond to former President Donald Trump’s visit to the Adams County Fairgrounds in Mendon on Saturday night.  There was one issue according to Kate Daniels, candidate for Illinois 15th District State Central Committee and chair of the Adams County Democratic Party. “(Trump) kind of has […]

Democrats for Democracy Rally set for 3 p.m. Saturday in Clat Adams Park

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QUINCY — The Greater Illinois Democrats for Democracy Rally is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25 at Clat Adams Park, Front and Hampshire. The Adams County Democratic Party is the host of the event, which features five guest speakers. They are: Lauren Underwood, 14th District Congresswoman Bill Houlihan, Sangamon County Democratic Chair Katherine Daniels, […]

Brady, Milhiser vie for Republican nomination to succeed Jesse White as secretary of state

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SPRINGFIELD – For the first time in nearly a quarter century, there is an open race for the office of Illinois secretary of state as incumbent Democrat Jesse White prepares to retire, and Republicans hope that will give them an opportunity to pick up a statewide elected office. It’s often said that more people interact […]

Expanded vote-by-mail could boost Illinois turnout by more than 200,000 annually

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Illinois could see over 200,000 more votes in its general elections as a result of expanded vote-by-mail services, but the higher turnout will not necessarily give an advantage to either major party and might yield better-informed voters. Recent legislation gives Illinoisans the ability to choose to automatically receive mail-in ballots for all future primary and general […]

Former state senator sentenced to 1 year in prison for embezzlement; received salary, benefits from ghost union job

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SPRINGFIELD — A federal judge in Chicago handed down a one-year prison sentence Tuesday for a former state senator who once chaired the Senate Labor Committee. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of embezzlement for receiving salary and benefits from Teamsters Joint Council 25 as a purported […]

Amendment 1 would guarantee $2,100 property tax hike for typical Illinois family

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It’s election season in Illinois, and politicians are running on the promise of property tax relief as usual, including every major candidate for governor. Illinois’ property taxes are already the second-highest in the nation and a major reasontaxpayers are fleeing to lower-tax states. That problem could be made worse on Nov. 8 when voters will be asked to decide […]

Davis gets Illinois and U.S. Chamber endorsements

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Davis, who is running in the June 28 Republican Primary against Congresswoman Mary Miller, met with state, local and federal Chamber of Commerce leaders as well as local officials in a gathering at Knapheide Manufacturing Monday afternoon.

Illinois Supreme Court declines to rule on FOID Act for second time

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SPRINGFIELD – In a 4-3 decision with a blistering dissent from the Republican minority, the Illinois Supreme Court declined to rule on a question of whether Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Act is unconstitutional. It was the second time the case of the People v. Vivian Brown came before the court and the second time the court declined […]

McClain: ‘We got — we’ve gotta kill it. Period…’ More details emerge in ComEd bribery probe

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“We got — we’ve gotta kill it. Period,” Madigan’s longtime confidant, Michael McClain, allegedly told ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore in a recorded call in May 2018. “The problem is, any day now, the budget is gonna suck all the oxygen out of the building … and the members won’t be paying any attention to our lobbyists … and Lisa Madigan’s gonna walk in and say, ‘This is my legacy legislation, please vote for me.’

New poll shows Bailey ahead by 15 points in Republican primary; Irvin calls poll ‘snapshot in time’

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A new poll from the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago radio station WBEZ shows downstate state Sen. Darren Bailey with a 15-point lead on Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin in the GOP governor race, a major reversal with 18 days to go before polls close on Tuesday, June 28. Irvin’s campaign had earlier in the week pulled […]

Poll shows Illinoisans more moderate than General Assembly on abortion

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SPRINGFIELD – A new survey released this week suggests Illinoisans are more moderate on the issue of abortion than the current Democratic-controlled General Assembly, but it is unclear whether that will cost Democrats votes in November. The poll by the Chicago-based firm Ogden & Fry – which is owned by a Republican candidate for Cook […]

Hearings scheduled to discuss elimination of cash bail in Illinois

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Cash bail will be eliminated in Illinois as of Jan. 1, 2023, due to a criminal justice reform passed in Jaunary 2021, and the Illinois Supreme Court Pretrial Implementation Task Force is planning a series of town halls beginning in two weeks to give an update on what the new pretrial detention system will look like.

Pritzker announces progress in processing rape case evidence, signs highway camera expansion

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police announced Friday that all sexual assault evidence is being processed within the 180-day timeframe outlined in state law – bringing to zero the number of legally “backlogged” cases that rose as high as 1,815 in March 2019. It’s the first time all such evidence is being processed within 180 days as […]

More attacks as Republican governor field takes single stage for first time

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Things got a bit chippy Thursday night when the six Republican candidates took the stage together for the first time for a debate in Chicago. For the most part, candidates aimed criticisms at the man who has recently had a slight polling lead, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin. Darren Bailey, a state senator from Xenia best […]

High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line

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Brett Retherford drives 80 miles round trip daily to his job in Riverdale, Iowa, from Annawan, Illinois. Illinois’ second-highest in the nation fuel prices drive his fuel purchases across the border, too. “I went to the Shell gas station that is less than a block from my house and gas was $4.49 a gallon. When my wife and […]

Republican candidates for Illinois governor address rising crime, Texas school shooting; most say they would get rid of FOID laws

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SPRINGFIELD – The six Republican candidates for Illinois governor faced off Tuesday night in Chicago, albeit on two separate debate stages, hours after a shooting at a Texas elementary school that dominated a large portion of the debates. A scheduling conflict between two TV networks – WGN and NBC 5 – had the candidates split […]

Analysis: Illinois’ official U.S. census numbers have not changed

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SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that he is asking President Joe Biden and the federal government to increase Illinois’ share of federal funding to reflect the results of a recent Census Bureau study showing the state was very likely undercounted in the 2020 census. The news release from the governor’s office proclaimed, “Updated census data […]

‘We have to change the culture’: Davis remembers own experience when discussing Texas school shooting

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QUINCY — Five-term U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said he was “heartbroken” for the families involved after learning of the deaths of 19 students and two teachers in a Tuesday shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Incidents like that, however, bring back grievous memories of his own. Preparing for a Congressional baseball game to […]

Bill requires insurers in Illinois to cover prostate cancer screenings

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Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature aims to increase access to prostate cancer screening without co-pays or other cost-sharing in Illinois.   House Bill 5318 would require private insurers in Illinois to provide all qualifying male policyholders with an annual prostate cancer screening upon the recommendations of a physician. Alison Manson, vice president of government relations for the […]

Pritzker signs bill requiring serialization of unfinished ‘ghost guns’; use of home-assembled firearms for crime rapidly increasing

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SPRINGFILED — Owners of firearms that do not have serial numbers – referred to as ghost guns – will have 180 days to take them to a federal firearm dealer to have them serialized or they will risk being charged with a misdemeanor. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the measure containing that provision, House Bill 4383, into […]