Illinois Politics
CHICAGO — Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is accused of leading a criminal enterprise over nearly a decade, designed to enhance his political power and financial well-being. Michael McClain of Quincy, a former lawmaker and longtime lobbyist for ComEd, is also on trial and accused of acting as Madigan’s agent. CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Nearly four…
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Gov. Pritzker’s office detailed all of the impacted programs: Access Issues for Federal Funding Portals Despite official information from the federal government stating that programs that provide assistance directly to individuals will not be impacted, state agencies and partner organizations reported issues accessing payment systems throughout the day on January 28. Federal officials have not…
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The Illinois legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability recently released an eye-popping actuarial analysis of a union-backed pension reform plan. The analysis concluded that the proposal, House Bill 5909, would cost taxpayers almost $30 billion through the year 2045. And the annual state cost starting in Fiscal Year 2027, which begins in mid-2026, would…
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CHICAGO – Federal prosecutors continued their closing arguments Wednesday in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, accusing the longtime Democratic powerbroker of using Chicago Ald. Danny Solis’ positions of power “to gain private benefits.” Read more: In closing arguments, prosecutor alleges Madigan was driven by ‘power and profit’ It was Madigan’s out-of-the-blue…
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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education is encouraging local school districts to adopt clear policies spelling out how and when their staff should cooperate with federal immigration officials carrying out enforcement actions or seeking information from school officials. The “non-regulatory guidance” on immigration enforcement actions was issued Wednesday, Jan. 22, two days after…
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MRN’s J. Robert Gough sits down with the new chairman of the Adams County Republican Central Committee to talk about President Trump, refereeing squabbles within the party and why the party has dominated local politics for more than a decade.
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CHICAGO – As prosecutors began their closing arguments Wednesday in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, they accused the longtime Democratic powerbroker of lying to the jury when he testified in his own defense earlier this month. “Ladies and gentlemen, what you heard on the witness stand was a facade,” Assistant U.S.…
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This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Capitol News Illinois. Sixty percent of rural Americans live in childcare deserts — regions with too few licensed slots for children. In rural Illinois, that number rises to nearly 70%. Over the past decade, Illinois has experienced a 33% decline in licensed childcare…
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QUINCY — With a little more than a month before the primary election, the incumbent mayor has a large financial lead over the two people vying for his job. Figures filed earlier this month with the Illinois State Board of Elections show Mayor Mike Troup has more than $47,000 on hand in his campaign account.…
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CHICAGO – Older drivers in Illinois could face fewer barriers to renew their driver’s licenses next year as part of a bill that would raise the age for the state-mandated annual driver’s test from 79 to 87. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced support for House Bill 1226 this week, joined by lawmakers from both…
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Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s longtime law firm partner Vincent “Bud” Getzendanner testified in Madigan’s defense against numerous federal charges last week. One of the main themes of Getzendanner’s testimony was the property tax firm’s process of weeding out clients and potential clients who could pose a conflict of interest to Madigan. Getzendanner testified…
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Heather and Stephen Casner sat across from the loan officer in the fall of 2022, a stack of papers between them. The building they were trying to buy — a 21-room, one-story motel in rural Anna, Illinois — was overflowing with trash and would need a complete overhaul before they could reopen it as a…
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SPRINGFIELD — Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) and Rep. Kyle Moore (R-Quincy) took their oaths of office Wednesday as the 104th General Assembly is underway. Tracy has served in the Senate since Jan. 11, 2015, and previously served as a member of the Illinois House from July 2006 to 2014. “Illinois faces significant challenges, but I remain…
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