Politics
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…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article 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.…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article Controlling crime, expanding education options and cutting taxes will be the top priorities for Missouri, new Gov. Mike Kehoe said in his inauguration speech. The brief speech, delivered before a crowd gathered on a cold, sunny day outside the Missouri Capitol, also traced the Republican’s journey from a north St. Louis home led by a…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article Missouri has officially joined the growing list of states that have legalized sports betting. Thismove signifies a transformative step for the state, enabling residents to place wagers bothonline and in-person, a dramatic shift from previous restrictions. This new legislation brings promising economic opportunities, including tax revenue for publicservices and enhanced fan engagement. As Missouri enters…
Read Full Article A committee dedicated to the security of the Missouri Capitol convened Thursday to raise concerns ahead of Monday’s inauguration of Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe. Lawmakers are not only worried about the inauguration ceremony and governor’s ball but also the everyday operations of the Capitol Police. President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate Cindy O’Laughlin read a…
Read Full Article 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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