Illinois Valley Times

From Prairie State Wire

National labor law attorney: Legal marijuana doesn't give employees a 'get out of jail free card'

By Angela Underwood | 5 years ago

Since Illinois has become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, national labor lawyer and legal analyst Michelle Lee Flores suggests the Prairie State began to prepare for employment law issues.

From Rock Island Today

Weaver working on next generation's career development with SB3033

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) is working on more funding for career development now and down the road.

From Prairie State Wire

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families.

Rezin rallies for special needs students who were sent to out-of-district school

By Angela Underwood | Jun 15, 2018

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) never wants to see what happened with a recent school district abandoning special education students occur again.

From Chambana Sun

Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group touts 'groundbreaking' legislation

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After 17 meetings, the Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group is setting new standards for state-funded schools.

From Prairie State Wire

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than ever.

Rezin introduces family and friends during Senate floor debate

By Angela Underwood | Jun 13, 2018

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) had some very personal guests with her during the May 30 Senate floor debate.

From Rock Island Today

Despite GOP's concerns, gun bill passes Senate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline) rose during the May 30 Senate floor debate and argued against a firearm bill.

From Prairie State Wire

Medical cannabis for short-term pain is questionable, some GOP lawmakers insist

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill allowing for temporary access to medical cannabis in order to battle the opioid epidemic is in the hands of the governor.

From SE Illinois News

Righter and House GOP members question Firearms Restraining Order Act

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and some state representatives had a slew questions during a new firearm act debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite GOP concerns, graduate research assistants one step closer to being able to unionize

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill to amend the Illinois Labor Relations Act to allow graduate research assistants to unionize concerned three GOP lawmakers during the May 30 House floor debate.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP fails to keep vetoed bill from going back to governor's desk

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be going back to his desk.

From North Cook News

Bill would take healthcare waivers out of governor's hands

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Postponed consideration for a health insurance bill that would strip the governor’s ability to file for a federal waiver was finalized without GOP approval during the May 29 House floor debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Breen and Bellock question partisan task force

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

During the May 28 House floor debate, state Reps. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) wanted to know why a Democrat-proposed task force was clearly partisan in membership.

From Prairie State Wire

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Several GOP lawmakers reject bill that would prevent state from reversing local districts' denial of charter schools

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Allowing local school districts to deny charter school applications is not ideal, according to three GOP lawmakers.

From Prairie State Wire

Lang resigns as House Deputy Majority Leader after being accused of sexual harassment

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After being accused of sexual harassment by activist Maryann Loncar today -- and a day after he helped pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the state House -- Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) resigned from his leadership role as deputy majority leader.

From Prairie State Wire

16 GOP lawmakers argue against progressive income tax in Illinois

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sixteen Republican state representatives stood to oppose a progressive income tax.

GOP legislators refuse to fund taxpayer-subsidized abortions in budget

By Angela Underwood | May 30, 2018

With the end of the spring legislative session looming and the budget yet to be passed, GOP legislators held an impromptu press conference on Tuesday to reject taxpayer-subsidized abortions.

Long and GOP peers refuse to fund taxpayer-subsidized abortions in budget

By Angela Underwood | May 29, 2018

With the end of the spring legislative session looming and the budget yet to be passed, Rep. Jerry Long (R-Streator) and his GOP peers held an impromptu press conference Tuesday rejecting taxpayer-subsidized abortions.