Raises for lawmakers now up to Jones
The fate of a salary increase for state lawmakers now lies in the hands of Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who last week said, "I need a pay raise."
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Archive of Illinois on Thursday May 08, 2008
Raises for lawmakers now up to Jones
The fate of a salary increase for state lawmakers now lies in the hands of Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who last week said, "I need a pay raise." Read More
House passes measure to let police carry guns on college campuses
Police officers at Illinois universities, colleges and community colleges would be allowed to carry guns on campus, regardless of school policy, under a proposal the House of Representatives passed on Wednesday. Read More
Wrigley Field's name would stay in state deal
Chicago Cubs fans who love Wrigley Field's name and historic character will find their passions protected by the state if it swings a deal to buy the North Side ballpark from Tribune Co., former Gov. James Thompson said Wednesday. Read More
Ill. voters to vote on 'Con-Con'
Illinois voters in November will get to decide whether to have a constitutional convention and revamp the state's governing document. Read More
Construction costs a political hang-up
Around the Capitol, the perception is that "everyone" wants new roads, bridges and schools. The problem is no one can agree on how to pay for them. Read More
Prison expert acquitted of scheming to bribe former Illinois corrections director
A federal judge on Wednesday acquitted Michael J. Mahoney, a nationally known corrections expert, on charges that he schemed to bribe Illinois' former top prison official to win lucrative state contracts for his lobbying clients. Read More
Governor doesn't show for Holocaust observance
Gov. Rod Blagojevich was absent Wednesday for the 27th annual Days of Remembrance Holocaust Observance, which was held at the Old Capitol State Historic Site. Read More
Fairgrounds may need costly work
The Illinois State Fairgrounds could need millions of dollars in maintenance and capital improvements in the next few years, based on information turned over to Rep. Raymond Poe. Read More
Jacobs supports pay hike bill in Illinois
While Quad-City members of the Illinois House voted Wednesday to reject boosting salaries for state lawmakers by nearly 12 percent, state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, supports getting paid more money. Read More
Food costs rising for Illinois institutions
The cost of providing food to Illinois? prison inmates, aging veterans and developmentally disabled residents at state institutions is on pace to be up by $7 million this year, according to a review of state payments to vendors. Read More
At-risk gubernatorial seats increase
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Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
(Updated 9:30 a.m EST, May 8, 2008) When an elderly person with dementia is lost, eight states can trigger an alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More
Feds pledge $1.3 billion for new FutureGen concept
The federal government Wednesday announced plans to offer companies $1.3 billion toward building FutureGen-style power plants across the country, taking another step away from building a single, massive project in Mattoon. Read More
Senate Democrats try to take heat off Halvorson
Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete) was removed as chairperson of the powerful rules committee Wednesday by Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) after she clashed with Republicans over her handling of a bill that could have allowed voters to create a recall provision for elected officials. Read More
Fat tax break for felon
Stuart P. Levine, the star prosecution witness in Tony Rezko's corruption trial, might be an admitted drug user and felon. But he's savvy when it comes to his property taxes. Read More
Critics - Too many holes poked in plastic bag law
Chicago retailers who derive 25 percent of their gross sales from food or pharmaceuticals would be required to install plastic bag recycling bins - and distribute bags that state "Please reuse or recycle" ? under a crackdown advanced Wednesday that aldermen called a "first step." Read More
Bill allowing Rockford schools to share data gets 1st OK
Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey has said for months that state law should be changed to require the Rockford School District to share names and personal information about students suspected of being truants. Read More
Prison closing plan gets support
A plan aimed at stopping Gov. Rod Blagojevich from closing Pontiac Correctional Center has gained the support of a top Senate Democrat. Read More
Lawmaker warns construction funds are in danger
With time running short at the Capitol for a budget deal, one suburban lawmaker said talk of billions of dollars worth of state-sponsored construction may be headed to the political backburner. Read More
House votes down officials' pay hikes
The Illinois House voted Wednesday to reject pay increases of $7,000 next year, citing a lagging economy and litany of unfinished business at the Capitol. Read More
Illinois House votes to let campus cops carry guns
In an attempt to boost campus safety, the Illinois House voted Wednesday to let all university police officers carry guns while on duty. Read More
State representatives reject recommendation for pay hike
Most members of the Illinois House of Representatives said Wednesday they and other top state officials shouldn?t receive pay hikes anytime soon, but their paychecks could be getting bigger in a few months anyway. Read More
Q5 lacks strategy on keeping IDOT jobs
A local economic-development campaign that has pledged to create or retain 4,500 Sangamon County jobs in five years had remained quiet on a plan to move 150 state jobs our of Springfield until Wednesday. Read More
Chicago State names interim president
Chicago State University trustees Wednesday named a 45-year veteran of higher education to replace beleaguered outgoing President Elnora Daniel for the next school year. Read More
Disabled criticize Pace's dispatch computer service for paratransit
Angered by chronically late or no-show drivers and frustrated at having to sit for hours in paratransit vans for what should be shorter rides, more than a dozen disabled riders castigated Pace Wednesday for what they said were flaws in a new computerized dispatch system. Read More
House votes down pay raise for lawmakers
The Illinois House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to reject a pay raise, meaning the Senate must do the same or the salary bumps take effect. Read More
Officials -- 19 schools get pass on driver's ed rule
Nineteen suburban high schools have gotten a reprieve from a controversial requirement to provide driver-education students with six hours of instructor-supervised street driving, according to state education officials. Read More
Dressed down
There's already a laundry list of problems at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, but so far no one has seen the wardrobe of its leader as a problem. Read More
Daley asks where is the money for gov's anti-violence plan
Saying he's on -- a crusade to help Mayor Daley, -- Gov. Blagojevich staged a West Side rally Tuesday to unveil his $150 million plan to curb youth violence and "stop the killing." Read More
Will states fix 2012 primary process?
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More |
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