Will County Gazette

From Prairie State Wire

Despite Senate raving about $38.5 billion bipartisan budget for FY2019, the numbers don't add up

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The $38.5 billion budget passed without a revenue estimate is not what it seems.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP fails to keep vetoed bill from going back to governor's desk

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be going back to his desk.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Illinois now in the hands of the governor

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

If Gov. Bruce Rauner approves SB 2332, the minimum age to purchasing tobacco in Illinois will rise from 18 to 21 years old.

Batinick points out that calculator given to him by Democrat has small subtraction sign

By Angela Underwood | Jun 4, 2018

State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) was thankful for a gift that was given to him by a Democratic colleague during the May 29 House floor debate.

From Rock Island Today

GOP lawmakers question whether agency boards that control water and sewage rates should include unelected officials

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Allowing non-elected board members to control water and sewage rates is questionable, according to three GOP lawmakers.

From Prairie State Wire

Breen and Bellock question partisan task force

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

During the May 28 House floor debate, state Reps. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) wanted to know why a Democrat-proposed task force was clearly partisan in membership.

From Prairie State Wire

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.

From DuPage Policy Journal

GOP House reps give their nod to pension limitations

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

With billions of dollars in looming pension debt, almost every GOP state House member approved a bill during the May 28 House Floor debate that limits the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

From Prairie State Wire

Several GOP lawmakers reject bill that would prevent state from reversing local districts' denial of charter schools

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Allowing local school districts to deny charter school applications is not ideal, according to three GOP lawmakers.

From Prairie State Wire

Lang resigns as House Deputy Majority Leader after being accused of sexual harassment

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After being accused of sexual harassment by activist Maryann Loncar today -- and a day after he helped pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the state House -- Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) resigned from his leadership role as deputy majority leader.

From Prairie State Wire

16 GOP lawmakers argue against progressive income tax in Illinois

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sixteen Republican state representatives stood to oppose a progressive income tax.

McDermed and her GOP peers oppose taxpayer-subsidized abortions

By Angela Underwood | May 29, 2018

With the spring session winding down, Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) and her GOP peers held an impromptu press conference Tuesday rejecting taxpayer-subsidized abortions.

Batinick, GOP peers oppose funding taxpayer-subsidized abortions

By Angela Underwood | May 29, 2018

With the spring session winding down, Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) and his GOP peers held an impromptu press conference Tuesday rejecting taxpayer-subsidized abortions.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois gaming legislation to allow for more gambling stuck in committee

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

State Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) had the House Executive Committee’s full attention Monday over non-riverboat gaming legislation.

From Chicago City Wire

GOP lawmakers urge against extending Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority term limits

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Extending term limits for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority board is a bad idea, according to three Republican lawmakers.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP members pay their respects during annual Memorial Day tribute

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo), Senate Minority Leader William Brady (R-Bloomington) and Gov. Bruce Rauner reminded Illinoisans of the ultimate sacrifice made by soldiers at a Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance ceremony last week.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP senators continue to grill Rauner's budget director over paying pension deficit

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Hans Zigmund, new director of Gov. Bruce Rauner's Office of Management and Budget, had more explaining to do to three Republican lawmakers.

Rauner cites Monee tollway worker's death in urging Illinoisans to pledge highway safety

By Angela Underwood | May 23, 2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner has set aside May 23 as Give Them Distance Day.

From Prairie State Wire

Bill allowing medical marijuana to be administered on school grounds awaits Rauner's signature

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

If Gov. Bruce Rauner signs off on HB4870, medical marijuana can be administered on school grounds.

Rezin rejects water company monopoly again

By Angela Underwood | May 22, 2018

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) recently made it clear that she is not in favor of water company monopolies.