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 […]
Politics
Congresswoman Miller disagrees with Biden economic policy, agrees with Kinzinger censure suggestion
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.
Bockhold, Daniels retain Adams County political leadership posts
Members of the Democratic and Republican parties of Adams County voted to keep their party chairpersons in place Wednesday night.
Illinois Democrats stump for 2024 Chicago convention as party chair vote looms
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
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 […]
Taxpayer cost of NASCAR Chicago street race unknown
The first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street course race will take place on Sunday July 2, 2023, with a lower-level race running on Saturday July 1, 2023.
Gov. Parson issues drought alert for almost half of Missouri counties
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 […]
Illinois jobless rate falls to lowest point since start of pandemic; 4.5% remains higher than surrounding states, national average
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. […]
Pritzker tests positive for COVID-19
The Governor is experiencing mild symptoms and has been prescribed the anti-viral medication, Paxlovid. He will follow CDC guidelines by working from home.
Illinois State Police broaden use of ‘clear and present danger’ reports in FOID reviews
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
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.
Pritzker pushes for assault weapons ban, federal action
SPRINGFIELD – In the wake of a July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured, Gov. JB Pritzker is calling for a ban at both the state and national levels on military-style assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.
McClain/ComEd trial pushed back to March
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.
Illinois Attorney General asking for closed session minutes from Adams County Board meeting
Former Adams County State’s Attorney and County Board member Barney Bier asked for the denial request to be reviewed by the AG’s office. The letter stating the request was filed by Bier and signed by several Republicans, some of whom were and are candidates for Adams County Board.
County Board doles out another $1.7 million in COVID cash
QUINCY — The Adams County Board signed off on a little more than $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act spending at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Veterans’ Home seeing spike in COVID cases
QUINCY — The Illinois Veterans’ Home at Quincy is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases among its veterans and staff.
How state laws regulate firearm purchases: Highland Park shooter bought assault weapon despite previous police run-ins
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 […]
New U.S. Senate poll in Missouri places Schmitt on top; Greitens distant third
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A poll conducted by the Tarrance Group has provided some interesting results. Notably, the poll shows Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt in the lead, garnering 28% of the respondents’ vote. The most surprising finding, however, is how poorly embattled former Gov. Eric Greitens performed. Greitens scored just 16% of the vote, a far-cry from the 20-plus% most other […]
Holder White sworn in as first Black woman on state Supreme Court, replaces Garman
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 […]
Trump says he won’t endorse Hartzler, calls Greitens ‘smart’ and ‘tough’
Former President Donald Trump tiptoed towards an endorsement in Missouri’s competitive GOP primary for U.S. Senate on Friday, ruling out U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler while praising former Gov. Eric Greitens. Early Friday evening, Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social that he did not believe Hartzler “has what it takes” to earn his […]
State general revenues top $50 billion for first time in FY 2022; pandemic-driven windfalls not expected to last long into current year
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. […]
Missouri governor signs bill requiring schools test, filter water for lead
Efforts to eliminate lead in school drinking water got a huge boost on Friday, as Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed off on legislation requiring testing and also gave his approval to $27 million in federal funds to help schools install filters. The new law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, requires schools to test their […]
Justices urge lawmakers to allow more public access to rivers; access now limited to rivers with commercial traffic
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
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
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
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 […]
Daniels wins 15th District Democratic State Central Committeewoman seat
The chair of the Adams County Democratic Party will now have a direct say on who will be the head of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Pritzker gets his wish: Bailey in November
State Sen. Darren Bailey, who gained statewide notoriety challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s pandemic executive order authority in court, will be the incumbent’s challenger in the Nov. 8 general election.
Adams County Board field narrows
QUINCY — The herd was thinned a bit on Tuesday night. In a large field of candidates, including many first timers, 29 people advanced from the primary in an attempt to fill all 21 Adams County Board seats, which happens every 10 years. While some have basically secured their slots on the County Board, many […]
Miller wins Illinois 15th District race
Congresswoman Mary Miller with a big victory on Tuesday night. The Oakland, Illinois woman held her election night party in Quincy as it is the largest city in the new Illinois 15th District.
Bailey dominates to take GOP gubernatorial nod
Adams County Republicans and Congresswoman Mary Miller are gathered in the Town and Country Inn Ballroom for primary results.
It’s Primary Day in Illinois
The polls opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
Davis makes one last stop in Quincy before primary voters head to polls in tightly-contested 15th District race
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
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 […]
Muddy River News This Week: Kate Daniels, Adams County Democrats
The chair of the Adams County Democratic Party is running for 15th District State Central Committeewoman.
Local Democrats scramble to put together rally; ‘We’re just trying to let people know there are alternatives’
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 […]
MUDDY RIVER NEWS THIS WEEK: Liz Brown-Reeves
Deb Brown-Reeves is running for Democratic State Central Committeewoman for the 15th Congressional District in Illinois. Her opponent is Kate Daniels of Quincy, who will be interviewed Monday on Muddy River News This Week.
Democrats for Democracy Rally set for 3 p.m. Saturday in Clat Adams Park
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
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 […]
Former President Trump talks Miller endorsement, governor’s race ahead of Adams County stop
Center Square Illinois Associate Editor Greg Bishop talked to former President Donald Trump in advance of his planned rally at the Adams County Fairgrounds Saturday night.
Eminent domain bill aims to level playing field for Missouri farmers
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri farmers were given more power in eminent domain proceedings by a bill signed into law last weekend. House Bill (HB) 2005 was signed by Gov. Mike Parson, guaranteeing greater protections for Missouri’s landowners in certain eminent domain cases. Eminent domain refers to the authority of the government to seize private land, with compensation, […]
Expanded vote-by-mail could boost Illinois turnout by more than 200,000 annually
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
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 […]
Davis gets Illinois and U.S. Chamber endorsements
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
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 […]
State audit finds billions in unemployment fraud
SPRINGFIELD – A state audit released Thursday found nearly $2 billion in federal money intended to help unemployed Illinoisans during the pandemic was lost to fraudulent claims in Illinois.
An HBCU in Predominantly White Surroundings
The description of Lincoln as a “regional” institution with a double role rubbed Sherman Bonds, the president of the Lincoln University National Alumni Association, the wrong way and chafed against his own perception of his alma mater. He wrote an essay in response titled “A Framework for Collective Dialogue,” voicing concern about the president’s emphasis on recruiting students from the region and arguing that it minimized the university’s legacy as a historically Black university and its broad national appeal.
Trump Adams County visit time and place confirmed, click story to register for tickets
Former President Donald J. Trump will have a rally at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Mendon on Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m.
Water resources bill, which includes $3.5 million for North Street project in Hannibal, passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 that was passed Wednesday by the House of Representatives authorizes $50 million for wastewater and stormwater projects in North Missouri — including $3.5 million for the North Street Project in Hannibal, Mo. A section of downtown Hannibal’s stormwater system collapsed in 2019, nearly flooding part of […]
County Board seeking to further utilize ARPA money
Muddy River News has issued a Freedom of Information Act request to Adams County for the list of projects under review.
Not playing in Chicago: CAT latest corporate titan to move HQ out of Illinois
CHICAGO — Machinery manufacturer Caterpillar will move its approximately 230 corporate employees to Irving, Texas, beginning this year, while the move won’t affect approximately 17,000 other employees of the company who work in Illinois, according to coverage from Bloomberg.
Troup: City will learn Wednesday about details of Trump’s visit to Adams County later this month
QUINCY — Quincy Mayor Mike Troup said the city will learn the details of former President Donald Trump’s visit to the Quincy area on Wednesday. Speaking after Monday’s meeting of the City Council, Troup said he believes Trump, the nation’s 45th president, will arrive at Quincy Regional Airport on Saturday, June 25. The likely location […]
McClain: ‘We got — we’ve gotta kill it. Period…’ More details emerge in ComEd bribery probe
“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’
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 […]
Former state health director Ezike under scrutiny by state’s top ethics investigator
“I understand the legitimacy of the questions. I absolutely believe that someone has to ask them…”
House approves the Water Resources Development Act of 2022
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA), a bipartisan bill that will improve ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other water resources infrastructure throughout the United States.
Poll shows Illinoisans more moderate than General Assembly on abortion
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
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.
Davis gets backing of local GOP establishment
QUINCY — Congressman Rodney Davis received the endorsement of many Quincy and Adams County Republican leaders over the weekend.
Pritzker announces progress in processing rape case evidence, signs highway camera expansion
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
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 […]
New emergency alert app could be coming to Missouri schools
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A new system for reporting armed intruders may be coming to Missouri school districts by the fall semester. The process for implementing the system is on hold until Gov. Mike Parson signs off on Missouri’s budget. $1.9 million of state money was set aside to assist school districts in implementing a new app […]
Illinoisans see $2,200 pay cut thanks to inflation
The average Illinois worker needed a pay raise of $5,360 to keep up with inflation this past year. That worker only got a little more than $3,164. So that $3,164 pay bump was actually equivalent to a nearly $2,200 pay cut. When you add up all of the price increases because of inflation, Illinoisans are […]
Eight Missouri ministers accused of sex abuse in Southern Baptist Convention report
The Southern Baptist Convention on Thursday released a once-secret and lengthy list of accused sex abusers — several of whom are in the Midwest — within the denomination. The 205-page list is a compilation of ministers and other church workers who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. The list is described as a “fluid, […]
High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line
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
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
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 […]
Miller: “Our schools should be safe”
Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Ill.) said “a breakdown of our culture…a breakdown of the home” is to blame for this week’s school shooting in Texas.
‘We have to change the culture’: Davis remembers own experience when discussing Texas school shooting
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 […]
‘Gray market’ gaming company pumps $250K into PACs tied to Missouri lobbyist
MISSOURI INDEPENDENT —A company accused of operating illegal gambling machines in Missouri made six $40,000 donations this week to a constellation of political action committees run by its lobbyist.
Bill requires insurers in Illinois to cover prostate cancer screenings
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 […]
Illinois GOP candidates for governor debate…separately
The six Republican candidates for Illinois governor faced off Tuesday night in Chicago for the first time, but a scheduling conflict made it so that the candidates were split between two debates that began one hour apart on two different networks.
Madigan, McClain discussed secret payoffs
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was recorded on a wiretapped phone call in 2018 discussing with lobbyist confidant Michael McClain a plan to arrange secret payments to a close political ally who had been implicated in a sexual harassment scandal, newly released court documents show.
Pritzker signs bill requiring serialization of unfinished ‘ghost guns’; use of home-assembled firearms for crime rapidly increasing
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 […]
Irvin makes stop in Quincy as he tries to take over wide-open race for Republican candidate for governor
QUINCY — The primary elections in Illinois are more than a month away, and a recent poll shows more than a third of likely Republican voters who responded haven’t made a choice for who their candidate as governor. That is why Aurora mayor Richard Irvin was in Quincy Friday. Irvin met with about 30 people […]
Census Bureau says Illinois may have been undercounted in 2020 census; survey data shows 6 states undercounted, 8 overcounted
SPRINGFIELD – The Census Bureau released new survey data Thursday suggesting the population of Illinois may have been undercounted by nearly 2 percent in the 2020 headcount. That was one of the findings of the Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey, or PES, something the bureau does after each decennial census to assess the quality of the […]
Wirepoints analysis shows Illinois property tax bills have grown 268 percent since 1990
Illinois property taxes have far outpaced household incomes and home values since 1990, a Wirepoints analysis shows. Tax bills per household have grown 268% since 1990, while average home values have grown 114%. According to the nonprofit Wirepoints, the average household now owes nearly $4,400 in residential taxes each year, up from $1,200 in 1990. […]
Parson to sign new Missouri congressional redistricting plan
6th District: Geographically the state’s largest, in northwest Missouri it now covers most of the area north of the Missouri River and all but the counties adjacent to the river in northeast Missouri. In the new map, voters in Ray, Randolph, Audrain, and Lincoln counties will be new to the district.
Illinois officials announce hotline for baby formula questions amid nationwide shortage
As families with babies who need formula scramble from store to store without much luck, there’s an Illinois helpline for those looking to get the needed nutrients that are in short supply around the country. The Illinois Department of Human Services is taking calls at 1-800-843-6154. The phone number is meant for families on the […]
Illinois elections to be most competitive in more than 24 years
Voters in Illinois have been presented with few choices when it comes to who will represent them in the Statehouse, but 2022 looks like the year that could change with 82 contested races projected to bring out 4.3 million voters – the most in decades. During the past 22 years, on average only 64 of […]
Pritzker signs bill to address organized retail crime; Raoul says task force recovered millions of dollars of stolen merchandise in December
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Friday that is aimed at cracking down on high-profile “smash-and-grabs” and other organized retail theft. “This important piece of legislation will help to combat these unlawful activities by addressing the problem from multiple angles,” Chauncey Rice, government relations manager for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said at a […]
Missouri legislature ends tumultuous 2022 session marked by gridlock, GOP infighting
A flurry of activity in the Missouri House on Friday kept 2022 from earning the ignominious distinction of least productive legislative session in modern history. With GOP infighting in the Senate forcing it to adjourn a day early after a session that’s seen it mired in gridlock, the House returned Friday morning to pass 20 […]
Poll shows ‘undecided’ leads Illinois GOP governor field, followed by Irvin, Bailey
We’re about a month and a half from the June 28 primary, and “undecided” was the lead vote-getter this week in a new poll of 1,000 likely GOP primary voters, with 36.9 percent of respondents falling into that camp. For those polled who have picked a candidate, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin had the lead at […]
Muddy River News This Week: Rob Copley
The recently retired Quincy Police Chief talks about his career in law enforcement and the issues in finding his successor.
Irvin tops Illinois GOP governor poll as candidates spar through ads
Three of the six candidates running in the June 28 primary for Illinois governor – those with the most campaign contributions – are sparring in the media as a recent poll indicates it’s really a two-way race.
Appellate Justice Lisa Holder White named to replace Justice Garman
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday that 4th District Appellate Justice Lisa Holder White has been appointed to succeed Justice Rita Garman, making her the first Black woman to serve on the state’s high court.
Adams County Board votes for raises for themselves, office holders; sheriff salary jumps by $65,000
Following the closed portion of the meeting, Board members voted 16-1 to give themselves 9.6 percent raises and committee chairs and the County Board Chairman 22 percent raises before adjourning.
Garman to retire from state Supreme Court, setting up appointment to replace her
SPRINGFIELD – Republican Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman announced Monday that she will retire on July 7, marking the end of a long legal career that has included 48 years as a jurist.
Legislature on verge of requiring Missouri schools test, filter water for lead
Missouri lawmakers are poised to require schools test and, potentially, filter drinking water to prevent lead poisoning, making the state one of just a handful that require administrators to meet standards stricter than federal regulations. The state offers grants for schools to pay for water testing, but there is no requirement to test, and only a […]
Judge dismisses Missouri attorney general’s mask lawsuit against St. Charles school district
A St. Charles County Circuit Court judge dismissed Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s lawsuit Thursday against the local school district’s now-rescinded mask mandate, leaving few cases from Schmitt’s legal blitz remaining. The City of St. Charles School District was one of 47 districts Schmitt sued earlier this year over mask mandates, and it was one of only three […]
KSDK: Miller campaign volunteer was convicted in 2005 for luring young boy for sex
ST. LOUIS — If you signed a petition to help put U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois) on this June’s primary ballot, there’s a chance a man convicted of luring a child for sex was the one who asked you to sign those campaign documents. Miller is facing new questions about her relationship with Brad Graven, […]
Illinois educators push back against testing requirements; state board looks to overhaul annual assessments
SPRINGFIELD – Teachers and other education professionals are urging the Illinois State Board of Education to reduce the amount of time students spend on standardized tests each year and to adopt a new testing system that produces more useful information to help teachers improve their instruction. “One thing that we’re saying and that our members […]
‘Something for everyone’: Final votes coming for record-setting Missouri budget
A record state operating budget that a top legislative Republican said “has a little bit of something for everyone” is heading for final votes in the Missouri General Assembly as tax revenue continues to pour into the treasury in historic amounts. Final figures weren’t available Wednesday, but the spending plan that emerged from a day of negotiations […]
AG Raoul joins student loan debt cancelation bandwagon
Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a multistate coalition of eight attorneys general urging President Biden to fully cancel federal student loan debt owed by every federal student loan borrower in the country. The coalition urges the president to immediately exercise his authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel the more than $1.7 trillion owed to the federal government by student borrowers.
Illinois: Still No. 1 in one thing…units of government
Illinois has 6,032 local governments, the most in the nation by a wide margin – and that excludes 859 school districts. It’s the main reason Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest property taxe
Davis and Miller address Quincy Tea Party
Republicans Rodney Davis and Mary Miller are now running for the redistricted seat that represents much of the I-72 corridor of Illinois, including Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock Counties.
Davis and Graves tour Kohl Wholesale, talk small business issues as well as the SCOTUS leak
Officials with Kohl Wholesale gave the legislators a tour of Kohl’s facilities on Illinois 57, including their distribution center, which opened in 2018, and their caves at Midwest Controlled Storage.
Davis calls leaked draft SCOTUS opinion on Roe v. Wade ‘attempt to intimidate judges’
“I am deeply concerned by the fact this draft opinion was leaked. This is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate the justices on this case and sway their opinion. A leak of this magnitude must be condemned and, if warranted, investigated and prosecuted.
Pritzker, Illinois Democrats talk about potential overturning of Roe v. Wade
Governor Pritzker today condemned the reported Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, allowing states to enact even more restrictive anti-choice laws that would deny woman’s access to reproductive health care. Early in his term, Governor Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act to protect Illinois women in anticipation of a conservative Supreme Court overturning Roe.
Experts say highway camera bills on Pritzker’s desk ripe for abuse
Two bills on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk could expand Illinois highway camera monitoring program to cover 6,600 more miles of road across 22 counties as the General Assembly looks to crack down on expressway crime before November elections. House Bill 260 and House Bill 448 – passed alongside 80 other proposals in the final dayof the legislative session – would see […]
