Momentum builds for pardon of Peoria man who served 15 years for drug offense

08/28/2018

Jason Spyres was arrested on drug charges nearly 20 years ago. In the years since, he’s been on a path of personal success and growth. A pardon from Gov. Bruce Rauner should follow.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, marijuana, sentencing reform

Rauner signs bill allowing medical marijuana alternative for opioid prescriptions

By Vincent Caruso

08/28/2018

The Alternative to Opioids Act will give more Illinoisans the option to treat pain with medical marijuana.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, criminal justice reform, decriminalization, marijuana, opioid, Toi Hutchinson

Rauner vetoes bill mandating $40,000 minimum salary for teachers statewide

By Eddie Damstra

08/27/2018

Dictating teachers’ salaries from Springfield would impose a costly mandate on local school districts and expose struggling homeowners across the state to property tax hikes.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, salaries, school district consolidation, teacher salaries

Rauner signs bill lifting ban on industrial hemp

By Vincent Caruso

08/27/2018

The Industrial Hemp Act will plant the seeds for the growth of commercial hemp production across Illinois.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, hemp, jobs, marijuana, Tim Butler, Toi Hutchinson

Rauner vetoes smoking ban for Illinoisans under 21

By Vincent Caruso

08/27/2018

Chicago’s legal smoking age of 21 would have been expanded statewide under the proposal.

TAGS: cigarette tax, Dan McConchie, e-cigarettes, Julie Morrison, smoking ban, tobacco, Tobacco 21

Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2018

Reforming future benefit growth via a constitutional amendment is the only way to ensure the retirement security of government workers, protect taxpayer budgets and fulfill the needs of Illinoisans reliant on core services.

Top 10 recipients of Madigan money

By Austin Berg

08/23/2018

More than 60 sitting state representatives have received money from Madigan over the course of their careers, totaling around $15 million.

TAGS: Carol Sente, Deb Conroy, Fred Crespo, Kathleen Willis, Katie Stuart, Marty Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Mike Madigan, Natalie Manley, Sam Yingling, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Illinoisans will spend less time at the DMV under new law

08/22/2018

A bill signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner will allow for multi-year car registration.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Department of Motor Vehicles, Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, Mark Batinick, vehicle registration

Cursive mandate greets Illinois elementary school students this fall

By Vincent Caruso

08/21/2018

Lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of a 2017 bill mandating cursive instruction in all public elementary schools in Illinois. That measure becomes law this year.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Chris Welch, ISFRC: Illinois School Funding Reform Commission

State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B

By Adam Schuster

08/21/2018

Despite claims from some state lawmakers that the fiscal year 2019 budget is balanced, official reports to bond buyers admit a deficit of more than $1 billion.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, credit rating, GOMB: Governor's Office of Management and Budget, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, spending cap

Bruce Rauner

Momentum builds for pardon of Peoria man who served 15 years for drug offense

Rauner signs bill allowing medical marijuana alternative for opioid prescriptions

Rauner vetoes bill mandating $40,000 minimum salary for teachers statewide

Rauner signs bill lifting ban on industrial hemp

Rauner vetoes smoking ban for Illinoisans under 21

Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis

Top 10 recipients of Madigan money

Illinoisans will spend less time at the DMV under new law

Cursive mandate greets Illinois elementary school students this fall

State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students