Politics
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Brent Fischer is on administrative leave with pay as executive director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Jordan Abudayyeh, press secretary for Governor J.B. Pritzker, responded to an inquiry from Muddy River News by text Friday morning. She said Fischer was “on leave pending investigation.” She didn’t elaborate any further. Fischer returned…
Read Full Article CHICAGO—Using revenue generated from adult-use cannabis sales, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) today announced 21 grants totaling $3.5 million to organizations offering young people and adults (ages 10 to 25) pro-social activities that may reduce violence and victimization or provide increased street intervention this summer. Grant awards will support three months of programming,…
Read Full Article By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – More than a year after new marijuana dispensary licenses were scheduled to be distributed per the state’s 2019 adult-use legalization law, the governor’s office announced the initial lottery and two new ones will happen by the end of August. The state also announced the award of more…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Wednesday that the unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.2 percent, while non-farm jobs increased 12,500 in June, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from minus…
Read Full Article By KAITLYN SCHALLHORNThe Missouri Times JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson greenlit an incremental gas tax increase Tuesday, bumping it up to 29.5 cents by 2025. A passion project for Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, the legislature gave the final approval for his SB 262 during the final week of session. It incrementally increases the gas…
Read Full Article By JANICE ELLISMissouri Independent The state of Missouri, the “Show Me State,” is located in the heart of America. In addition to the sass and symbolism the nickname and location connote, what a great geographical and strategic position to be in — to lead, to bring about positive improvements in the lives of its citizens…
Read Full Article By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Since economic shutdowns began and COVID-19 death counts started to rise in March 2020, national unemployment rates have hovered at historically high numbers, stressing state unemployment systems left dealing with an unprecedented number of claims. In Illinois, that’s led to a deficit in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund…
Read Full Article Quincy, IL – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced today that the Quincy Regional-Baldwin Field Airport received an $8,000,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The grant will be used to help reconstruct the airport’s runway and improve its safety. “The Quincy Airport is a vital part of the transportation system and supply…
Read Full Article By TESSA WEINBERGMissouri Independent As a new surge of COVID cases overtakes Missouri, businesses, healthcare providers and houses of worship will soon be shielded from most COVID-related lawsuits under a bill Gov. Mike Parson signed Wednesday. Senate Bill 51, sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, provides sweeping protections for businesses unless a high standard of…
Read Full Article From THE MISSOURI TIMES – Missourians who received erroneous federal COVID-19 unemploymentoverpayments could soon be able to seek a waiver from recovery through the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, it announced Tuesday. The potential waiver only applies to federal overpayments given from Feb. 8, 2020, through June 12, 2021, under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance…
Read Full Article From Chicago Tribune – If you’re one of the 76,000 Illinois residents who received $123 million in excess regular unemployment benefits since the pandemic hit, you may be able to keep the money — as long as you haven’t already repaid it. Signed into law Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, new legislation allows people who…
Read Full Article QUINCY – Tony Grootens officially announced his run for Adams County Sheriff Saturday during the opening of the Freedom Fest at Clat Adams Park. Grootens, a Republican, had informally announced his intentions in other venues, including a meeting at the Quincy Tea Party and he had several blue-shirted supporters walking alongside during this year’s Dogwood…
Read Full Article By CAMERON GERBERThe Missouri Times JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson signed off on Missouri’s operating budget for the new fiscal year, authorizing more than $35 billion in funds while issuing several budgetary vetoes. The Republican executive partially vetoed several appropriations bills, cutting line items amounting to nearly $115 million. The remaining budget emphasizes education, workforce development, and…
Read Full Article By KEVIN BESSLERJust the News A bill awaiting the Illinois governor’s signature would require schools to provide free menstruation products in both girls’ and boys’ bathrooms for grades 4 through 12. Currently, Illinois requires tampons to be provided to students who need them, but the supplies are kept in the nurse’s office. State Rep. Kathleen Willis,…
Read Full Article By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – State courts in Illinois are preparing to return to normal operations after nearly 16 months of operating under special rules brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday issued two new rules that call for easing social distancing requirements and reimposing requirements for speedy…
Read Full Article Jeff Mays left when Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office in January 2019. And the new administration didn’t immediately start using anti-fraud tools when they started to become available later that year. Chicago Tribune – Under the Rauner administration, IDES was touting a computer upgrade it said provided a “modern and comprehensive fraud detection, prevention, and collection system.”…
Read Full Article by Amanda Vinicky, WTTW – Major changes to Illinois’ criminal justice system that passed in the wake of George Floyd’s murder will begin to take effect Thursday, including a requirement that police track and report to the state incidents in which officers use a gun on someone, when use of force results in death or…
Read Full Article Pritzker’s office didn’t immediately reply when asked Friday if the orders will be extended and did not issue a statement about the reissued orders before the governor’s landing page for executive orders was updated early Friday evening. From The CENTER SQUARE – Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday extended his COVID-19 executive orders and emergency declarations that were set…
Read Full Article By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers finished a two-day special session Thursday by passing some important legislation but without reaching agreement on the one issue they had hoped to resolve – an energy bill that would phase out all carbon emissions from power plants over the next 30 years. “I think a…
Read Full Article From WMAY SPRINGFIELD, IL – Republican Congressman Rodney Davis is still leaving the door open for a possible run for governor next year if he doesn’t like the congressional district maps drawn by Democrats. Appearing live on the WMAY Morning Newsfeed, Davis was sharply critical of Democratic Governor JB Pritzker on issues ranging from election…
Read Full Article From THE CENTER SQUARE – Senate Democrats are making a push to give undocumented immigrants the opportunity to vote in school board elections. The proposal could require the State Board of Education to create an affidavit helping non-citizens register for school board elections. Current bill language requires potential voters to verify they are a parent, legal guardian…
Read Full Article From The Missouri Times – JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson outlined the economic effects of a failure to renew the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) Monday, pointing to the group of legislators who stalled the process. “We’re laying out a grim reality our state is facing if the federal reimbursement allowance and related programs are not extended,” Parson…
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