Bruce Rauner

Illinois Supreme Court’s denial of quicker AFSCME appeal means taxpayers still on the hook for millions each month

By Mailee Smith

04/04/2017

AFSCME obstructed progress for months on a new contract for state workers. Whether AFSCME and the state are at impasse in negotiations now sits with the Illinois courts – and the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision not to take a direct appeal of the case means taxpayers must continue to pay an additional $35 million to $40 million each month in health care costs alone.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, state worker pay

Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year

04/04/2017

Despite a fight from the union, the Illinois Department of Corrections is replacing 124 unionized nurses with private subcontractors, which could save taxpayers millions each year.

TAGS: budget, IDOC: Illinois Department of Corrections, INA: Illinois Nurses Association

Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana

By Hilary Gowins

03/30/2017

A proposed amendment to Illinois’ Criminal Identification Act would allow people to petition to have their arrest and conviction records cleared of any cannabis-related offenses that Illinois ultimately takes off the books through marijuana legalization.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, expungement, Kelly Cassidy, Marcus Evans, marijuana

Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships

By Brendan Bakala

03/30/2017

On March 29, the Illinois House of Representatives voted almost unanimously in favor of allowing voters to decide on local government consolidation – a crucial component of shrinking local government spending, which drives up property taxes. State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, sponsored House Bill 496, which received bipartisan support – more than a dozen representatives...

TAGS: local government consolidation, townships

Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget

By Amy Korte

03/28/2017

Illinois House Bill 3868 would give Gov. Bruce Rauner the authority to trim costs and reorder the state’s spending priorities to balance the budget.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, debt, Fitch Ratings, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution, Jim Durkin, Mike Madigan, spending, unpaid bills

Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana

By Hilary Gowins

03/27/2017

Illinoisans of all ages, political party affiliations and regions of the state favor legalizing marijuana and regulating and taxing it like alcohol, as provided in legislation proposed by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy on March 22.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, marijuana

Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees

03/24/2017

“By singling out medical cannabis organizations,” Judge Lee wrote, the state of Illinois appeared to be favoring certain speakers based on their viewpoints – precisely the type of discrimination the Supreme Court has disapproved of in the past.

TAGS: marijuana

Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision

By Mailee Smith

03/24/2017

AFSCME’s obstruction of a contract for state workers costs taxpayers approximately $35 million to $40 million a month in healthcare costs alone. Gov. Bruce Rauner is seeking a direct appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court to bring relief to taxpayers burdened by AFSCME’s stall tactics.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, labor, unions

Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs

By Brendan Bakala

03/22/2017

A spokeswoman for the governor said the measure would cut overtime costs and help reduce the state’s corrections budget.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, budget, prison, prison reform

Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana

By Hilary Gowins

03/22/2017

Under state Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s proposal, Illinoisans age 21 and older could legally possess, manufacture and sell marijuana.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, decriminalization, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, marijuana

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Illinois students could soon benefit from scholarship money to help them find a tutor, attend ACT or SAT prep sessions, pay tuition, get special education services or assist with other academic needs. That will happen in Illinois only if Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets the state’s schoolchildren benefit from the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, established...

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Bruce Rauner

Illinois Supreme Court’s denial of quicker AFSCME appeal means taxpayers still on the hook for millions each month

Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year

Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana

Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships

Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget

Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana

Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees

Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision

Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs

Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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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