Politics
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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From ILLINOIS POLICY Illinois shed 4,000 (-0.1%) private sector jobs from mid-March through mid-April, new data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows. Meanwhile, the public sector added 4,300 (0.6%) jobs during the month, netting the state 300 (+0.0%) jobs. That marks the worst month for jobs since December. While private sector payrolls as a whole…
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From SJ-R.com – Over a year after Illinois Department of Employment Security offices were shuttered and services moved online during the pandemic, the offices remain closed even as the state begins returning to normal. Lawmakers say there is no excuse for them to remain closed. “In-person services have been open by the secretary of state since June…
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from ILLINOIS POLICY – After touting a transparent, non-partisan redistricting process, Democratic state lawmakers have quietly circulated a map that could potentially eliminate two Republican U.S. House seats. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, the redistricting map being circulated to Democratic Party leaders aims to further widen the partisan split in the Illinois Congressional Delegation. It would force…
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by PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – All high schools in Illinois would be required to offer instruction in how to understand and evaluate news and social media as part of their computer literacy courses under a bill that advanced out of a Senate committee Tuesday. Sen. Karina Villa (pictured to the left), D-West Chicago,…
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From Illinois Information Services SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and labor, legislative and local leaders today to announce the release of a $20.7 billion multi-year plan to improve Illinois’ roads and bridges over the next six years. This commitment, fueled by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan,…
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From Chicago Tribune – The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted a resolution requiring daily in-person learning next school year with limited exceptions for remote learning. Though some Board members expressed reservations about the resolution’s language during an hour-long discussion, they voted unanimously in favor. The vote came after several parents asked the board…
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As he hinted he would do during his speech to the Lewis County (Mo.) GOP on May 7, St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey officially filed to run for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. From THE MISSOURI TIMES – Mark McCloskey, the St. Louis attorney who gained notoriety last year for brandishing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters,…
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By BRYCE HILLIllinois Policy Census estimates tallied population decline in 98 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Only Los Angeles County lost more people than Cook County last year. Illinois’ population decline hasn’t just affected select areas of the state: New data from the U.S. Census Bureau estimates only four of the state’s 102 counties avoided losing…
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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…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article 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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Before taking over Monday as mayor, Troup attends final School Board meeting QUINCY — Mike Troup says becoming Quincy’s mayor was “never on his bucket list,” but he believes his six-year tenure as a member of the Quincy School Board helped prepare him for his next venture. Troup attended his last School Board meeting on…
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By State Scoop Despite exponential growth in adoption over the past seven years, the body-worn cameras acquired by police departments nationwide have struggled or failed to result in the changes to officer behavior and public trust that advocates of the technology have sought, according to a report published this week by the nonprofit Council on Criminal Justice.…
Read Full Article By Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — The state Senate and House passed more than 750 bills between them last week, addressing isolated timeouts in schools, youth vaping, teaching Muslim history, the commemoration of Juneteenth and automatic voter registration in prisons, among other topics. Friday was the deadline for the General Assembly to pass bills out…
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From themissouritimes.com It’s official: Missouri will not gain or lose any congressional seats, according to the 2020 apportionment results released by the U.S. Census Bureau Monday. Missouri will retain its eight congressional seats but neighboring Illinois is among seven states losing a congressional seat. California, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia also lost a seat; Texas gained…
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From Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The U.S. Census Bureau announced Monday Illinois will lose a seat in Congress based on the results of the 2020 census. Illinois will move from 18 to 17 seats in the U.S. House, an expected result after some advocates had warned that an undercount could lead to the loss…
Read Full Article Missouri legislators are moving forward with an effort to loosen the state’s environmental regulations that critics contend could harm the state’s water and air — and its budget. Business groups and Republican lawmakers say the bill would help businesses that are treated unfairly by an “aggressive” Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “At the end of…
Read Full Article From Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Members of an Illinois Senate committee sparred with officials from Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration Friday in a hearing on tax changes proposed by the governor in an effort to balance the state’s budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The Senate Revenue and Appropriations committees held the joint hearing, questioning…
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