Karena Cozad
Karena Cozad
“First of all, they shouldn’t tell you it’s mandatory. It’s misleading if you’re a non-union member.”
How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt
How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt
Because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau will not have the data for states’ political redistricting until the end of September. Illinois faces problems likely to land any political maps in court.
Illinois lawmakers approve controversial ‘culturally responsive’ teaching rule
Illinois lawmakers approve controversial ‘culturally responsive’ teaching rule
Illinois state lawmakers recently approved a rule requiring Illinois teacher training programs to adopt ‘culturally responsive teaching and leading’ standards. Critics say a political litmus test is the wrong focus when students are underachieving on the basics.
Madigan quits as party chair day after picking his House successor
Madigan quits as party chair day after picking his House successor
Mike Madigan quit as Democratic Party of Illinois chairman a day after picking his successor for the Illinois House, four days after resigning as representative and one month after he was ousted as the nation's longest-serving Statehouse speaker.
Madigan will retire with $2.9 million public pension after contributing just $350,000
Madigan will retire with $2.9 million public pension after contributing just $350,000
Because of a pension sweetener for politicians that Madigan helped create, the former speaker’s pension will spike more than $66,000 the year after his first full year of retirement, then grow 3% each year thereafter.
Illinois’ poorest hit hardest by COVID-19 job loss, many still unemployed
Illinois’ poorest hit hardest by COVID-19 job loss, many still unemployed
Illinois households earning less than $40,000 were four-times as likely to lose their jobs from February-April 2020 and nearly 11 times as likely to still be out of work compared to those earning $75,000 or more.
Weak accounting standards enable Illinois budget deficits
Weak accounting standards enable Illinois budget deficits
While the private sector is held to a higher standard, rules from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board have enabled Illinois to engage in reckless financial practices that harm taxpayers and the state’s economy.
Illinois’ leisure and hospitality industry among hardest hit in Midwest
Illinois’ leisure and hospitality industry among hardest hit in Midwest
The industry had been one of the bright spots in the Illinois economy but COVID-19 and state-mandated mitigation efforts have decimated it.
After 50 years in Illinois House, 36 years ruling it, Mike Madigan is quitting
After 50 years in Illinois House, 36 years ruling it, Mike Madigan is quitting
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is resigning as a state representative after 50 years in office. It came a little more than a month after he was ousted as speaker.
Full text: Mike Madigan’s resignation statement
Full text: Mike Madigan’s resignation statement
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is resigning as a state representative after 50 years in office.
Illinois unemployment claims double after several weeks of improvement
Illinois unemployment claims double after several weeks of improvement
While the nation gets back to work, Illinois unemployment claims rose again. The past week ranked Illinois 50th out of 51, including Washington, D.C.
Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address
Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address
Delivered virtually Feb. 17, 2021, from the Illinois State Fairgrounds
Majdi Razick
Majdi Razick
“Adding Illinois to the Nurse Licensure Compact could really help alleviate the heavy burden placed on nurses."
Expected $7.5 billion in federal aid won’t fix Illinois budget crisis without structural reforms
Expected $7.5 billion in federal aid won’t fix Illinois budget crisis without structural reforms
Illinois needed federal aid far more than other states because of pension crisis inaction, as well as an irresponsible pandemic budget. Bailouts won’t protect taxpayers or services for vulnerable Illinoisans, but reforms can.