Confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois numbered 25,733 as of April 17, with the total number of deaths linked to the virus reaching 1,072, according to data from the state Department of Public Health (IDPH).Chicago (6,648 cases) and Cook County (4,767 cases) posted the highest numbers statewide.
For a state K-12 school funding measure, Senate Bill 1 was so unfair in its original form that a kindergarten student could have done the math, Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) suggested recently on “Illinois Rising.”
Illinois Democrats are holding back education funding as a malicious form of political gamesmanship, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) suggested at a press conference on Monday with Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has called legislators back for a second special legislative session.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock, who runs the blog “MishTalk.com,” believes imposing more taxes on Illinoisans with the biggest pensions can solve the pension crisis.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office has lost or terminated 21 staffers in the wake of the passage of a contentious budget plan and an unpopular tax hike on July 6, which many saw as a major political defeat for Rauner and many GOP lawmakers.
Gov. Bruce Rauner recently added several key communication personnel to his team, further shaking up his staff following a major political defeat when the Illinois General Assembly overrode his vetoes on a budget and spending plan.
Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) expressed disappointment but not surprise after hearing that Rep. Steven Andersson (R-Geneva) was asked to step down as House GOP floor leader on Monday.
Illinois has its first budget in more than two years after the House voted on Thursday to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s vetoes of three contentious bills that made it through both chambers in a special extended session.
The Statehouse was on security lockdown early on Thursday after a substance was allegedly thrown at Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office, as well as the lieutenant governor's office and the House gallery.
When the Illinois House passed a 33 percent income tax increase as the new fiscal year was beginning, the action drew opposition from many Republicans, including House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs).
Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) admonished House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) on Monday for accusing Gov. Bruce Rauner of pushing an extreme right-wing agenda by demanding a property tax freeze.
The south suburbs of Chicago are the ideal place for business growth, but no one wants to move there because the property taxes will keep them before they can get established, Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) argued in a House panel debate on Friday.
Gov. Bruce Rauner urged Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Tuesday to unite and pass a balanced budget that will fund Illinois and get it back on its feet.
“Today we’ve seen a complete dereliction of duty by the majority in the General Assembly,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said after the 100th session of the General Assembly closed. “Once again, a tragic failure to serve the people of Illinois. A tragic failure to pass a balanced budget along with critical structural changes to protect taxpayers and grow more jobs.”
A House measure that would supposedly offer more protection for workers would actually cause them more harm and damage businesses as well, several Republican lawmakers said after passage of House Bill 2525 on Wednesday.