Illinois Valley Times

From Prairie State Wire

Former Illinois LIG says ethics commission 'squashed' her findings of 'wrongdoing'

By Vimbai Chikomo | 5 years ago

Former Illinois Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter is speaking out about the Legislative Ethics Commission’s effort to squash her reports on “wrongdoing.”

Peru trustee Rigby seeks to continue cutting costs, avoid consolidation

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 10, 2017

Art Rigby has built a foundation on being frugal. He and his wife of 56 years have sent all five children of their children to college without amassing a mountain of debt.

Demmer: Get Government Back on Track package could fix state's long-standing problems

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 8, 2017

State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) has proposed a package of bills that he thinks will get to the bottom of deep-seated problems in Illinois government.

Batinick: AFSCME members authorizing a strike is 'disappointing'

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 6, 2017

When the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) scheduled a strike vote earlier this year, many viewed the move as another tactic orchestrated by the union to prevent Gov. Bruce Rauner from imposing his last, best offer.

Peru clerk eyes township trustee seat

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 6, 2017

Following a single term as Peru Township clerk, Steve Weberski hopes to make the transition from township clerk to township trustee in the 2017 spring local elections.

Mautino allegedly admits to violating state transparency laws in lawsuit response

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jan 8, 2017

Nearly one year after a self-appointed government watchdog group exposed the questionable campaign spending of Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino that launched state and federal investigations, Mautino’s response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit is confirmation that he broke state laws, the group claims.

Long: Chicago-weighted state school funding formula amounts to 'theft'

By Vimbai Chikomo | Aug 15, 2016

Jerry Long, the Republican candidate challenging Democratic incumbent Andy Skoog for his District 76 State House seat, has a clear view of what needs to change in Illinois for the state to prosper.

State needs to analyze how current CPS funds are being spent

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 29, 2016

Illinois’ General State Aid (GSA) funds K-12 education and was originally intended to financially support school districts with the most need. Through the years, however, the formulas used to calculate the amount of state funding school districts receive has sparked outrage over the funding system providing large subsidies to a few select districts, namely, Chicago Public Schools.

Illinois Rebuild Project labels Skoog ‘double-talking politician’

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 29, 2016

Illinois state Rep. Andrew Skoog (D-District 76) is “just another double-talking politician” who is all too eager to please House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Illinois Rebuild Project says.