Illinois Valley Times

Illinois Valley Times

Friday, February 28, 2020

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Politics

Weaver, Bivins vote against budget bills

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jul 4, 2017

In a rushed vote today, the Illinois Senate approved a set of three budget bills that raise taxes and outline $36 billion in spending.

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Politics

Senate rushes votes on budget bills

By Hoang Tran | Jul 4, 2017

On Independence Day, the Senate approved three bills that would increase taxes and provide $36 billion in spending for Illinois.

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Politics

Long calls tax hike, revenue bill 'cart before the horse'

By Hoang Tran | Jul 4, 2017

Rep. Jerry Lee Long (R-Streator) told the House on Sunday that voting for a tax increase and revenue bill without having a budget in place is like “getting the cart before the horse.”

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Politics

Demmer's pleas fall flat as House passes spending plan

By Hoang Tran | Jul 3, 2017

The Illinois House pushed through a spending plan late Sunday despite Rep. Tom Demmer's (R-Dixon) call for a postponement to iron out details.

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Politics

Measure to help Utica consolidate, build new school clears House, Senate

By Russell Boniface | Jul 3, 2017

Waltham School District 185 in Utica will be able to increase its debt limit to fund a new school if a bill sponsored by Rep. Jerry Long (R-Streator) that recently passed the House and Senate is signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

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Politics

Income tax hike passes Illinois House

By Hoang Tran | Jul 3, 2017

The Illinois House passed a contentious and divisive tax revenue bill on Sunday vigorous debate and little Republican support.

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Politics

Illinois held down by economic, moral decay, analyst says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 2, 2017

While every state around it continues to grow in population and prosperity, Illinois keeps shrinking under the strain of higher taxes and more regulations, Michael Lucci, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, said in an article on the institute's website.

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Politics

Economist says something's got to give: pensions or public schools

By Karen Kidd | Jul 2, 2017

Public sector employees and retirees could accept less than their constitutionally protected pensions if they understand it's them or public education, an economist said during an appearance on a recent Chicago-based radio show.

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Politics

Workers' comp fraud can't be left on back burner, law firm argues

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jul 2, 2017

The budget battle in the Illinois Statehouse has allowed workers' compensation fraud to continue largely unchecked, the law firm Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates (KCBA) contends.

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Politics

Welter joins Democrats to pass budget amendment

By Matt Smith | Jun 30, 2017

Hours before the fiscal year runs out, the Illinois House voted 90-25 to approve a budget amendment.

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Politics

Brady nominated to replace Radogno as Senate GOP Leader

By Hoang Tran | Jun 30, 2017

Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) was selected unanimously today by his Republican colleagues to serve as new Illinois Senate Republican Leader.

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Politics

Radogno sends shockwave with sudden resignation from Senate

By Hoang Tran | Jun 29, 2017

In a surprise announcement, Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) resigned her position and the Senate effective Saturday.

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Politics

College tuition has little link to state funding, analyst determines

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 29, 2017

College tuition tends to rise regardless of how much money the state puts toward education, a new study reveals.

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Politics

Unpaid fines for Ottawa-based campaign committee totaled $6,250 in January 2017

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 29, 2017

One campaign committee in Ottawa has overdue fines amounting to a total of $6,250, records obtained by the Illinois Valley Times show.

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Politics

Appropriations bill targets statewide money for Illinois Valley projects

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jun 29, 2017

The Illinois General Assembly is looking to pass a bill that earmarks $166.5 million for various projects in lawmakers home districts across the state.

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Politics

Long commended for Waltham school construction measure

By Hoang Tran | Jun 27, 2017

A bill to allow Waltham School District to extend its debt limit for the construction of a new facility passed the House on Monday thanks to the persistence of Rep. Jerry Lee Long (R-Streator).

Politics

Analysis: Illinois Valley fire, police pension funds paid $9 million in benefits, made $400K on investments in 2016

By LocalLabs News Service | Jun 27, 2017

Illinois Valley’s 21 police and fire pension funds paid out a total of $9,939,934 in benefits to 315 retirees and inactive recipients in 2016 while gaining $418,986 on their investments, according to an Illinois Valley Times analysis of the funds' mandated financial filings with the Illinois Department of Insurance.

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Politics

Streator resident asking election board to reconsider his complaint against Mautino

By Charmaine Little | Jun 26, 2017

David Cooke won't give up on his battle with Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino so easily.

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Politics

Kinzinger fears more danger in wake of Arlington shooting

By Giovanni Whaley | Jun 25, 2017

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) believes more should be done to protect those who govern the country following the shooting of House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana at a GOP baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14.

Politics

Rauner tells people: Power of change is in your hands alone

By Giovanni Whaley | Jun 24, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner told listeners of the "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show that they'd better not rely on entrenched politicians to save them.