Illinois Politics
The revised legislative maps still keep Rep. Randy Frese (R-94, Quincy) and Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-100, Jacksonville) in the newly-configured 99th District. From THE CENTER SQUARE – Democrats put out revised legislative maps for redrawing the state’s political boundaries Thursday afternoon that they say factors in feedback from residents and advocacy groups. “After 50 public hearings across…
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The number of nonfarm jobs increased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in April according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all metro areas. The official, BLS approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm…
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From THE CENTER SQUARE With the end of the spring session for the Illinois Legislature just days away, it’s expected the Democratic supermajority will pass new district boundaries. Some advocacy groups oppose the maps that have been proposed so far. Democrats released proposed maps late Friday and another release of Google Map files on Sunday. Hearings this week…
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From Chicago Tribune – The 11-page indictment alleged Tim Mapes repeatedly lied during a March 31 appearance before the grand jury when asked about Madigan’s relationship with his longtime confidant Michael McClain of Quincy, who was charged in November with orchestrating the ComEd bribery scheme. He also lied when he said he had no knowledge…
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SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-47, Quincy) said the legislative map released last Friday evening clearly shows Democratic leaders have “chosen politicians over people”, despite an earlier pledge by Governor Pritzker to veto any partisan-drawn map. “What a disappointment that despite earlier indications of bipartisan input and cooperation, the Governor is backpedaling on an…
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Quincy Mayor Mike Troup said on Muddy River News This Week that he wanted the city to hire three employees to help with the workload at Central Services, which is the city’s street department. At Monday night’s Quincy City Council meeting, aldermen approved spending $335,000 for those three new employees to work on city streets.…
Read Full Article The Illinois General Assembly released their preliminary proposals for new legislative boundaries late Friday night and it pits several Republican incumbents against each other in the Illinois House. Democrats control the process because of their super majorities in both the House and Senate. In the first draft, Adams County is divided three ways and would…
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In what is expected to be a crowded Republican field running for Illinois governor, suburban businessman Gary Rabine stopped Friday in Quincy. Rabine met with Quincy and Adams County Republicans at Revelry Sports Bar in downtown Quincy. He announced in March he would seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2022. He is the third…
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From ILLINOIS POLICY Illinois shed 4,000 (-0.1%) private sector jobs from mid-March through mid-April, new data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows. Meanwhile, the public sector added 4,300 (0.6%) jobs during the month, netting the state 300 (+0.0%) jobs. That marks the worst month for jobs since December. While private sector payrolls as a whole…
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From SJ-R.com – Over a year after Illinois Department of Employment Security offices were shuttered and services moved online during the pandemic, the offices remain closed even as the state begins returning to normal. Lawmakers say there is no excuse for them to remain closed. “In-person services have been open by the secretary of state since June…
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from ILLINOIS POLICY – After touting a transparent, non-partisan redistricting process, Democratic state lawmakers have quietly circulated a map that could potentially eliminate two Republican U.S. House seats. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, the redistricting map being circulated to Democratic Party leaders aims to further widen the partisan split in the Illinois Congressional Delegation. It would force…
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by PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – All high schools in Illinois would be required to offer instruction in how to understand and evaluate news and social media as part of their computer literacy courses under a bill that advanced out of a Senate committee Tuesday. Sen. Karina Villa (pictured to the left), D-West Chicago,…
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From Illinois Information Services SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and labor, legislative and local leaders today to announce the release of a $20.7 billion multi-year plan to improve Illinois’ roads and bridges over the next six years. This commitment, fueled by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan,…
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From Chicago Tribune – The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted a resolution requiring daily in-person learning next school year with limited exceptions for remote learning. Though some Board members expressed reservations about the resolution’s language during an hour-long discussion, they voted unanimously in favor. The vote came after several parents asked the board…
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By BRYCE HILLIllinois Policy Census estimates tallied population decline in 98 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Only Los Angeles County lost more people than Cook County last year. Illinois’ population decline hasn’t just affected select areas of the state: New data from the U.S. Census Bureau estimates only four of the state’s 102 counties avoided losing…
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By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate is gearing up for a debate over a package of ethics reforms, possibly as early as this week, but it’s one that Republicans say doesn’t go far enough. Senate Bill 4, which moved out of the Senate Ethics Committee on April 21, is a package…
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By SARAH MANSURCapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker issued a new executive order Monday that allows fully vaccinated residents to not wear masks inside and outdoors. The updated rules for mask wearing are nearly identical to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance, which was released Thursday. The CDC guidance permits fully…
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From ILLINOIS POLICY – Illinois state lawmakers are trying to set up a free shot and a beer for those who get a COVID-19 immunization. One per customer, though. And someone else is paying. House Bill 4078 proposes a single free alcoholic drink as part of a promotion to get people vaccinated against COVID 19. Lawmakers want to…
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From ILLINOIS POLICY Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is encouraging road trips just in time for drivers to catch the next boost in the state’s gas tax. The law that doubled Illinois’ state portion of the gas tax also automatically boosts the tax every July 1 based on inflation – a move that saved state lawmakers from the…
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From The Center Square – The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health can’t recall if she had talked with the former director of the Department of Veterans Affairs during the peak of the deadly LaSalle Veteran’s Home COVID-19 outbreak last fall. On Nov. 1, 2020, it was clear there was a COVID-19 outbreak…
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By TIM KIRSININKAS- CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced a new $6 million tourism advertising campaign Wednesday aimed at attracting visitors to the state and sparking economic activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. The multimedia campaign, featured around the theme “Time for Me to Drive,” showcases various destinations in all parts of the…
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The Adams County Board heard Tuesday night that the county is going to receive a little more than $12.7 million in federal COVID relief funds. County Finance Committee Chairman Bret Austin said the County should receive half of the money ($6.355 million) in a few weeks and the other half in a year. Austin said…
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The Quincy City Council referred a special use permit to the Quincy Plan Commission for review that will consider a second location for Carter’s Coffee Bar. The owner, Ciara Weese, has contracted the property at 641/645 Broadway for its new location. The Plan Commission will review and send back to the City Council for final…
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A study from WIREPOINTS shows that 102 of 175 measured cities in Illinois, including Quincy, received failing grades on their pension systems. llinoisans are suffering from more than just the nation’s worst state-level pension mess. For most residents, another problem hits much closer to home: Illinois’ local pension crisis. Complicating the situation is the fact…
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Gov. JB Pritzker just announced the state will enter the “bridge phase” with less restrictive mitigations on May 14. That means, if there are no setbacks, full reopening will take place about a month later on June 11. From Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office: As more of our residents receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Illinois will operate with a…
Read Full Article November 29, 2024
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