| Illinois Valley Times

Ottawa City Council presenst ordinances

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 24, 2016

The Ottawa City Council met Nov. 29 to present ordinances.

Exelon bailout's true value for consumers unclear

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 23, 2016

Legislation that will keep two nuclear power plants open, save more than 4,000 jobs and increase electric bills received Gov. Bruce Rauner's signature after it passed the General Assembly.

Ives slams safe spaces, crying sessions for college students after election

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 23, 2016

Iowa State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton) has proposed a “Suck it up, Buttercup” bill that seeks to place a scrutinizing eye on safe spaces and cry rooms for college students who cannot cope with reality.

Madigan Machine includes big-money players Kennedy, Pritzker

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 23, 2016

Emerging as big-money players in the perpetual Mike Madigan Machine are businessman Chris Kennedy, son of the late U.S. attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, and attorney, entrepreneur and philanthropist J.B. Pritzker, according to recently released financial data.

State GOP robocall emphasizes Pritzker ties to Madigan, Blagojevich

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 23, 2016

The Illinois Republican Party launched a robocall linking venture capitalist and possible gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Pro-growth reforms called for to stem exodus of millennials

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 23, 2016

Citing worrisome data that indicates millennials are fleeing the state and taking their families with them, a Chicago-based think tank is urging state lawmakers to pass pro-growth reforms.

Sauk Valley Media tells Dems to stop suing for pay, start working on budget deal

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 22, 2016

Stating that the “Chicagoland 6” should just do their jobs, a regional publication has issued a definitive stance on the half-dozen legislators who recently sued the former state comptroller over delayed legislator-paycheck issues.

Brookfield library trustees discuss library improvement plan

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 22, 2016

The Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees met Nov. 16 to discuss the library improvement plan.

Ottawa Zoning Board of Appeals reviews variance requests

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 22, 2016

The city of Ottawa Zoning Board of Appeals met Oct. 20 to review variance requests.

Ottawa Special Events Committee reviews finance report

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 22, 2016

The city of Ottawa Special Events Committee met Sept. 15 to review the finance report.

Peru planning commission reviews variance petition

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 22, 2016

The city of Peru Planning/Zoning Commission met Nov. 9 to review a variance petition.

Peru zoning commissioners discuss future growth

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 22, 2016

The city of Peru Planning/Zoning Commission met Nov. 2 to discuss future growth.

Munger blasts Dem lawmakers' 'cowardly' paycheck lawsuit as she leaves office

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 21, 2016

Outgoing Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger blasted Democratic lawmakers on her final day in office.

Advocacy group: Income-related student-success gap in state persists

By Illinois Valley Times | Dec 21, 2016

Chicago-based independent education advocate Advance Illinois, which compiles data for its annual “The State We’re In” report, recently released its newest findings on the state’s education statistics, illuminating an achievement gap in need of rebalancing.