Sunday, February 10, 2013
On Feb. 19 and Feb. 22, the state will stage public hearings to discuss a new concealed carry handgun law for Illinois.
Gun control hearings will convene before an Illinois House committee later this month, says Speaker Mike Madigan, and there will be much talk about a new concealed carry law. One hearing will take place in Chicago on Feb. 22, at the Michael A. Bilandic Building in Chicago. The other will be in Springfield on Feb. 19 at the Capitol. “In light of events in recent months in Illinois and in other parts of the country, it’s appropriate and necessary that we give a full vetting to proposed state legislation on this matter," reads a statement from Madigan. "These hearings will provide an opportunity for gun-safety advocates, gun-rights supporters and members of the law enforcement community to offer their views and argue their cases to …
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Jim Edgar tells Reboot Illinois that tax hikes, program cuts and leadership are desperately needed in Springfield. And Pat Quinn brings you Squeezy the Python.
With Democrats now holding a supermajority in the Illinois House and Senate as well as the governor's office, one might suppose a Democratic agenda would be a slam dunk in Springfield. As recent years have shown, however, single-party control doesn't guarantee the wheels of government grind smoothly. And former Gov. Jim Edgar, who served from 1991 to 1999, suggests that probably won't change anytime soon. In a wide-ranging interview with the new website Reboot Illinois, Edgar says Springfield is less dysfunctional when the two parties share power. "More times than not I think split government works pretty well. The reason is to make the tough decisions you need both parties. It’s hard to get one party to put up all the votes and take all …
Monday, August 6, 2012
Board president Roger Bonuchi and Superintendent John Harper joined officials from other school districts in expressing concerns about pension plans, proposed state funding changes.
Representatives from District 202 were part of a sit-down with Gov. Pat Quinn late last month to discuss pension reform and the future of state school funding. But officials don’t expect the discussion to bring a reprieve from possible general state aid (GSA) cuts or plans to shift the teachers’ pension burden to local school districts, according to District 202 Board of Education President Roger Bonuchi. Bonuchi said he and Superintendent John Harper were part of a contingent comprised of 12 officials from five Illinois school districts. Pension reform was a hot topic at the July 23 meeting, Bonuchi said, especially since Quinn has called all state lawmakers back to Springfield later this month for a special session to tackle the issue. …
Sunday, February 26, 2012
It's always good to be caught up on state politics. Here's an easy guide to what happened this week.
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Sunday, February 26, 2012
Editor's Note: This article was created by aggregating news articles from Illinois Statehouse News that were written by various Illinois Statehouse News reporters. SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's budget proposal tops 400 pages and is more than 3 inches thick. Inside the governor's plan for the next fiscal year, which begins in June, are the details of how he wants to spend $33.9 billion in taxpayers’ money. Illinois Statehouse News examines the governor's plan, speaking with lawmakers and outside experts and checking Quinn's math to make sure that dollars add up. Bigger than last year Quinn’s fiscal 2013 spending plan is $700 million more than the current budget, an increase that will pay for the increase in the state's …
Sunday, December 25, 2011
It's always good to be caught up on state politics. Here's an easy guide to what happened this week.
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Sunday, December 25, 2011
Editor's Note: This article was created by aggregating news articles from Illinois Statehouse News that were written by various Illinois Statehouse News reporters. Exodus of IL taxpayers means loss of $26B in taxable revenue Illinois’ reputation for political corruption and government mismanagement could have cost the state billions of dollars and an income tax increase. Illinois netted a loss of 366,616 tax-paying households between 1995 and 2009, according to a study ofInternal Revenue Service figures from 1995 through 2009 released Tuesday by the Illinois PolicyInstitute, a free-market think tank with offices in Springfield and Chicago. Those households took with them $26 billion in taxable revenue, according to the study. In 2009 …
Sunday, November 20, 2011
It's always good to be caught up on state politics. Here's an easy guide to what happened this week.
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Sunday, November 20, 2011
Editor's Note: This article was created by aggregating news articles from Illinois Statehouse News that were written by various Illinois Statehouse News reporters. Cost of tax breaks up as support wanes A tax break package meant to boost a business community hit by the Great Recession could cost the state $848 million in just three years. The only funding source specifically outlined to date for the package is a change to the Illinois tax code that would bring in $571 million next year and $354 million in 2013 before running dry. At the same time, the provisions would cost more and more. By 2014, the state would face $848 million in lost tax revenue, a number that would only grow. But that’s assuming no significant jobs are added or …
Monday, November 14, 2011
It's always good to be caught up on state politics. Here's an easy guide to what happened this week.
Editor's Note: This article was created by aggregating news articles from Illinois Statehouse News that were written by various Illinois Statehouse News reporters. New plan forms to keep state facilities open, for now Notices have gone out to nearly 200 Tinley Park Mental Health Center employees letting them know that they will be laid off on Dec. 3 as their facilities prepares to close under orders from Gov. Pat Quinn. But Thursday morning a legislative commission voted against Quinn’s move to close the state psychiatric center. The Legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, or COGFA, also voted against closing the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln and the Jacksonville Developmental Centerfacility Thursday…
Sunday, October 9, 2011
It's always good to be caught up on state politics. Here's an easy guide to what happened this week.
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Sunday, October 9, 2011
Editor's Note: This article was created by aggregating news articles from Illinois Statehouse News that were written by various Illinois Statehouse News reporters. Quinn: Illinois economy not as bad as ‘complainers’ say Gov. Pat Quinn says "complainers" about the Illinois economy need to look past the state's recent income tax increases, and look instead at the positive news about the state's jobs picture. Quinn on Wednesday touted his work in jump starting the state's economy, by announcing a federal program that will make tens of millions of dollars of investment capital available. The governor spoke during a stop on Chicago's southwest side to battery manufacturer AllCell, which is receiving some of that federal assistance. "The reason…
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
By outsourcing transportation services, Valley View officials could save more than $1 million.
Valley View School District officials, strapped for cash because of a lack of state funding, said they will look into outsourcing bus services to save money. Gary Grizaffi, the assistant superintendent of administrative services, said the school district could save more than $1 million if it were to seek a private company to run its transportation system. Valley View school board members are likely to consider offers from various companies before taking final action at their scheduled Dec. 12 meeting. The district has 192 bus drivers and more than 250 employees who would be affected by such a move. If the district outsourced its transportation services, all of 255 could face reduction in force notice. Per state law, though, those …
Sunday, September 18, 2011
It's always good to be caught up on state politics. Here's an easy guide to what happened this week.
Editor's Note: This article was created by aggregating news articles from Illinois Statehouse News that were written by various Illinois Statehouse News reporters. Quinn’s vetoes face tough road in Legislature Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has been busy with his veto pen this past session, but it is likely all for nothing. Quinn has vetoed 30 pieces of legislation from the 97th General Assembly, which was sworn in January. Lawmakers will return Oct. 25 to Springfield to act on the governor's vetoes. But an analysis of vetoes from the 96th General Assembly does not bode well for Quinn. The governor has a poor track record with his vetoes, with almost 90 percent being overturned or left to die in the Legislature. From July 2010 to January, Quinn …
BUTCH
9:43 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
@ J Ann Ammoland a mgr of bullets for WMD headed by Rabbi's and the NRA (kiddin) just Kosher Theologians. Killing Fields anywhere in Englewood W Englewood Marquette and Gage park! Tylenol scare of the 80's when a few people were poisoned and caused a nationwide recall and led to more riches and profits! Thanks for asking!   more ›