Politics
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…
Read Full Article From MISSOURI INDEPENDENT – The Missouri House passed the first tax increase that would go into effect on a governor’s signature in 28 years Tuesday night after a lengthy debate that exposed deep divisions in the Republican caucus. On two votes, the Republican majority of 113 split almost evenly, first on the question of whether…
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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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By the Missouri Times JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson moved to cut federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits Tuesday, arguing the move would encourage more Missourians to get back into the workforce. Missouri will phase out of the six programs by June 12. “From conversations with business owners across the state, we know that they are struggling…
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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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From The Missouri Times – Both chambers of the Missouri legislature gave final approval to the more than $34 billion budget Friday afternoon. The House began third reading budget bills, passing them along to the Senate. Most bills passed without conflict, with the lack of funding for Medicaid expansion the biggest topic of conversation in the lower chamber. A recommendation from…
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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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Supporters say the changes are needed to rein in an aggressive Missouri Department of Natural Resources. From Missouri Independent – A Missouri House committee advanced a sweeping bill environmentalists say would hamper the state’s ability to enforce clean air and water laws. But several amendment votes could undermine the bill’s prospects in the Senate. The House Emerging…
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Quincy Mayor Mike Troup sat down with Muddy River News This Week to discuss getting the ball rolling as Quincy’s Mayor. He talks about his leadership team, led by Director of Administrative Services (DAS) Jeff Mays. Mays, a former state representative and director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security under former Governor Bruce Rauner,…
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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…
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By RAYMON TRONCOSO, Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would overhaul sex education in Illinois and a measure to decriminalize the transmission of HIV were among several bills that passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday. The committee, following a long and contentious debate, advanced legislation that would require public schools to teach sex ed…
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Chicago Tribune – Near the end of a routine status hearing, an attorney for Michael McClain of Quincy, a longtime Madigan confidant accused of orchestrating the bribery scheme, said it would be difficult to discuss a trial date for the case because “there has been some at least intimations that the government might be seeking…
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Officials from the City of Quincy and the State of Illinois officially kicked off $35 million in runway safety improvements at Quincy Regional Airport (QRA) Wednesday afternoon. Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omar Osman, Mayor Mike Troup, QRA Director Sandy Shorr and other dignitaries performed the ceremonial dirt turning signify the start of the project.…
Read Full Article Missouri’s governor today directed all state workers to return to their offices for in-person work no later than Monday, May 17, 2021, and that all state buildings be open and accessible to the public during normal business hours. “Since the start of COVID-19, our state team members have gone above and beyond to keep state…
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From The Missouri Times: State Auditor Nicole Galloway said her office has begun a regularly scheduled audit of Ralls County. The county received an overall rating of “fair” from the most recent state audit, issued in November 2015.
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Quincy Mayor Mike Troup made it through his swearing in as the city’s next mayor pretty easily. But as he made his opening remarks to the packed house in the Quincy City Council Chambers, the emotions seemed to get to him a bit, especially when discussing his family. “The challenge for our city for the…
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by Jeff Smith for Missouri Independent What does it take to be a successful candidate for high office in Missouri these days? We might consider that question through the lens of Missouri’s 2022 U.S. Senate race.
Read Full Article By SARAH MANSURCapitol News Illinoissmansur@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — A state watchdog report into the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home found multiple failures that contributed to 36 veterans deaths, stemming primarily from the home’s complete lack of infection prevention plans or policies. The report also found deficiencies in communication and staff training at the LaSalle home,…
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Moline Democrat defeated Republican Bobby Schilling in 2012; Won narrow re-election bid in November From the QC-Times: Cheri Bustos said her decision came after a periodic assessment of her career, something she says she’s done every 10 years. The Moline Democrat said her health is good and that she has no future job lined up,…
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From Illinois Policy Chicago’s public health commissioner said residents are not required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – unless they want to attend summer events. City spending nearly $10 million to reach more neighborhoods with vaccines and close racial gaps. After a year of lockdown, summer in Chicago is back – but maybe only for…
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