Illinois Valley Times

From Prairie State Wire

Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady said to have voiced private support for abortion funding, gun control legislation

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

Former high-level aides to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has revealed that Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) told the then governor he was right for signing HB 40 in September 2017, the law requiring Medicaid funding of abortions. At a separate meeting, Brady also recommended that the governor sign gun control bills should they reach his desk.

From Prairie State Wire

Pritzker’s claims of paying down pension debt “simply dishonest,” fiscal watchdog says

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

The recently approved state budget hardly makes Illinois the beacon of fiscal prudence that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders claim it is, budgetary analysts at Wirepoints say.

From Prairie State Wire

Madigan 'bullying' income tax increase through legislative process

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

House Speaker Michael Madigan used his absolute power over the legislative process to move legislation to the floor on Friday that exchanges Illinois’ constitutionally mandated flat income tax with a progressive tax.

Lawyer to subpoena House Speaker Madigan over Yednock donation

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 2, 2018

Peru attorney Julie Ajster plans to subpoena House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) to appear before the state Board of Elections over allegations he laundered campaign money to Lance Yednock of Ottawa, who is challenging State Rep. Jerry Long (R-Streator) in the 76th.

Hearing date set for Madigan-Yednock money laundering complaint

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 17, 2018

The Illinois State Board of Elections has set an Oct. 31 hearing to review a complaint that Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan allegedly laundered campaign money to Lance Yednock, who is challenging incumbent Republican Jerry Long (Streator) in the 76th House District.

McGlasson says Long is latest target of GOP cleansing campaign

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 19, 2018

John McGlasson, central committeeman for Illinois’ 16th Congressional District believes the Republican Party is attempting to torpedo the re-election of Rep. Jerry Long (R-Streator) in a campaign to rid the party of anyone not in lockstep with Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Rutland/Wallace superintendent tells policy expert to 'drop dead' over union dues

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 16, 2018

“Drop Dead” was how school Superintendent Mike Matteson (Rutland CCSD 230, Wallace CCSD 195) responded to an e-mail from the Heartland Institute telling the districts to stop deducting union dues from the paychecks of non-union school employees or face legal action.

From NW Illinois News

Hospital exec, State Rep. Demmer votes to block hospital competition

By W.J. Kennedy | 7 years ago

State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) works for a hospital, and used to lobby for one. So when considering a bill in Springfeld last week that would have allowed Illinois surgeons to set up their own independent facilities, effectively competing with hospitals like his employer, Demmer was emphatically opposed.

Long now says Rauner also to blame for budget deficit

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 19, 2018

State Rep. Jerry Long (R-Streator) placed the blame for the state’s running budget deficit on Gov. Bruce Rauner as well as the Democrat-controlled House in an interview this week with the Illinois Valley Times.