Politics
From THE MISSOURI TIMES – After months of speculation, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler jumped into the U.S. Senate race Thursday — becoming the first congressional official and woman to do so. Unlike other candidates, Hartzler didn’t make the campaign official on cable news. Instead, she traveled back to Missouri, telling those gathered at the Frontier Justice shooting range in Lee’s Summit she…
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With a sprawling political corruption investigation drawing ever closer to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Tribune has learned that a Chicago alderman cooperating with the government secretly made audio and video recordings of the once-powerful politician on a variety of topics. Then-25th Ward Ald. Daniel Solis recorded Madigan on numerous occasions as the…
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By: Ted Dabrowski – WIREPOINTS Illinois institutions, both public and private, continue to cut back on their mask mandates in light of increasing vaccinations and collapsing case numbers. Illinois’ schools are a notable exception. The Illinois State Board of Education says it expects mandated mask-wearing to continue in the fall. But is it time for the masks…
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Order comes after Pritzker signed the new map into law By SARAH MANSURCapitol News Illinoissmansur@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Supreme Court will delay its transition to implement new appellate court boundaries that were created by a recently approved judicial district map until further notice. “Appeals and other matters shall continue to be filed in the…
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No representation from Quincy, Macomb, Jacksonville or Springfield at state meeting with global companies SPRINGFIELD – The State of Illinois has announced that a delegation from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Intersect Illinois and 17 economic development partners will represent Illinois at the 2021 virtual SelectUSA Investment Summit hosted by the U.S. Department of…
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From THE CENTER SQUARE – In Illinois, 13.8% of the workforce are employed by the government — either at the state, local, or federal level — the ninth lowest share of all states. In keeping with the national trend, the number of government workers in Illinois has decreased in recent years. There are currently 785,800…
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From ABC7CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker signed the General Assembly’s proposed redistricting maps into law Friday, saying they “reflect Illinois’ diversity.” “Illinois’ strength is in our diversity, and these maps help to ensure that communities that have been left out and left behind have fair representation in our government,” Pritzker said. “These district boundaries align…
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from THE MISSOURI TIMES – Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway will not seek re-election or run for another political position in 2022, she said Friday. “I have put my skills as a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner to work for taxpayers, and I’m proud of what my team has accomplished. In my remaining time as the state’s watchdog, I…
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From Chicago Tribune: Recreational marijuana sales in Illinois set another record in May with more than $116 million of weed sold, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported Wednesday. That tops last month’s record by $1.4 million, and is up 163% from May 2020. Last month, the state’s 110 dispensaries sold more than…
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From The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES – Members of former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s inner circle argued Tuesday that their indictment in the ComEd bribery scandal suffers from a series of “fatal” gaps — including the lack of a clear quid pro quo. Lawyers for Madigan confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, onetime ComEd lobbyist John…
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UPDATED from sun-times.com: Illinois residents who got their vaccine shot can now get a shot — or a beer or other alcoholic beverage of their choice — under a bill Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday signed into law. Pritzker said the bill, which takes effect immediately, offers “our hardest-hit businesses another lifeline as we recover…
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House bill decreasing trailer tax, removing trade in cap, advances From The Center Square – Illinois taxpayers with sticker shock from the $100 tax increase on the annual trailer tag implemented two years ago may soon get some relief. A measure that drops the tax on utility trailers from $118 to $36 in exchange for…
Read Full Article Federal money to fund housing, violence prevention, capital projects By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers worked into the early hours of Tuesday morning to pass a $42.3 billion state budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year that Democrats say would fully fund K-12 education and the state’s pension obligations while also paying…
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From Chicago Tribune – SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers have ensured a hectic windup to the end of their spring session Monday, facing an agenda of high-profile issues that includes putting together a new state budget, toughened ethics rules and the future for the state’s energy policy. The legislature’s Democratic majority also was looking at moving…
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Friday, May 28, 2021 New ‘culturally appropriate’ requirements opposed by Republicans, faith-based groups By RAYMON TRONCOSOCapitol News Illinoisrtroncoso@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House passed legislation on Friday updating the state’s sex education curriculum in a partisan split. The bill, which creates a new “personal health and safety” curriculum for grades K-5, and a “sexual health…
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GOP, community groups complain of short notice By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinois|phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed measures Friday to redraw state legislative and judicial district lines, less than 24 hours after the bills implementing the maps were introduced. The latest versions of the legislative maps were released about 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The actual legislation…
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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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Report alleges Missouri State Representative had sex with teen when he was a Bowling Green policeman
From St. Louis POST-DISPATCH – A Missouri lawmaker allegedly used his position as a cop to receive a “sexual favor” from an intoxicated teenage girl in 2015 and his boss, the Pike County sheriff, is accused of attempting to obstruct a probe as the deputy ran for a seat in the Legislature last year, the Post-Dispatch…
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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…
Read Full Article 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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