Illinois Valley Times

Weaver welcomes Richwoods champions to Springfield

By Angela Underwood | May 8, 2018

Standing at the Senate floor podium, Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) was surrounded by a sea of winners – the Richwoods Lady Knights state basketball champions.

From Prairie State Wire

Senate backs bill to end longtime governor's office budget practice

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The practice known as offshoring, in which salaries of some government employees are paid out of other agencies’ budgets, is closer to becoming a practice of the past in the governor’s office following actions in the Senate on May 3.

From Prairie State Wire

1115 Medicaid waiver will help launch 10 health care initiatives, Rauner says

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Gov. Bruce Rauner said Illinois will be the national leader in mental health services.

From Prairie State Wire

Morrison bill would raise the age for buying tobacco products to 21

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The legal age for purchasing a pack of cigarettes statewide could soon change if Senate Bill 2332 becomes law.

From Prairie State Wire

Ford pulls 'Homeless Bill of Rights' after opponents question bill's mandates

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A proposed Homeless Bill of Rights was shot down in the House because of the many mandates it would impose on local government.

From Prairie State Wire

Spain proposal would consolidate police, fire pension funds

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Declining asset to accountability ratios, employer contributions and skyrocketing unfunded liability could be alleviated by consolidating downstate police and firefighter pension funds, according to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).

From DuPage Policy Journal

After more than four hours of debate, House passes bills covering education, water systems, voter data

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Creating and altering bills on education, public and private water systems, and election data privacy drove the April 19 House floor debate into hours of discussion.

Let voters have say in consolidating school district staff, Rezin says

By Angela Underwood | Apr 24, 2018

Consolidating school district administration is one way to save taxpayers' money, according to Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris).

From Prairie State Wire

Serious questions about skirting federal law fails to derail Excellence Fund legislation in House

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

HB4237, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) to alter the Illinois Excellence Fund, would seemingly undermine the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions placed on charitable contributions by the federal government and hamper private scholarship funding donations, according to some GOP lawmakers.

From North Cook News

Bill to extend Illinois Health and Facilities Planning Act clears House despite GOP opposition

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) said the closest thing to eternity here on earth is a government program that ceases to end, like the Illinois Health and Facilities Planning Act.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Nybo speaks out against bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act measure

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Going against some of his GOP peers, Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard) spoke up against bipartisan-sponsored legislation.

From Prairie State Wire

Two GOP press conferences in one day demand end to gerrymandering

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

House Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said gerrymandering must end now.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP Senators say enough is enough with graduated income tax proposal

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Seven Republicans took the podium at an impromptu press conference to reject yet another Democrat imposed tax hike.

From Prairie State Wire

Rep. Spain works with Democrats to stop unfair map redistricting

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Gerrymandering gives way to unfair party control, according to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).

From DuPage Policy Journal

Senate panel backs plan for property tax exemption for disabled first responders

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

All but one member of the Senate Executive Committee lawmaker approved a homestead exemption for disabled first responders at the panel's hearing April 11.

From Rock Island Today

McCombie calls on legislature to put public safety above politics and pass the Pam Knight Bill

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) pleaded with the public to call on their legislators to pass public safety legislation that was shot down due to Democrats.

Demmer, Spain focus on Quincy Veterans Home budget at hearing

By Angela Underwood | Apr 16, 2018

At an April 11 meeting of the House Appropriations Human Services Committee, Democrats questioned redacted emails and Freedom of Information Act (FOA) requests related to the Quincy Veterans Home, but two Republicans kept their questions to budget requests.

From Peoria Standard

Tracy goes three for three on Senate bills

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Legislation proposed by Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) related to school district funding, tax increment financing (TIF) districts and property tax code changes received full support in the Senate.

House panel backs broadband measure despite concerns about FCC rules

By Angela Underwood | Apr 16, 2018

Ignoring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations is not the way to run the government, according to three GOP lawmakers who questioned Democrat-sponsored legislation.

Demmer, Jesiel seek answers during hearing on bill offering recompense to adolescents in foster care

By Angela Underwood | Apr 16, 2018

Sympathy for the plight of foster children did not keep Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) and Rep. Sheri Jesiel (R-Winthrop Harbor) from questioning Illinois' offer of recompense to adolescents.