Lawmakers, activists demand investigation of 2012 ‘rape in Champaign’ email Lawmakers, activists demand investigation of 2012 ‘rape in Champaign’ email Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Lawmakers from both parties are calling for an investigation of a 2012 email exchange between a government insider and then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s staff regarding a possible cover-up of rape and other criminal activity. The bombshell report was published Tuesday by Chicago National Public Radio affiliate WBEZ-FM detailing emails from former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist Michael McClain and Quinn’s staff.
Draft report calls for consolidating schools, increasing state share of education funding Draft report calls for consolidating schools, increasing state share of education funding Tuesday, January 7, 2020 A task force formed to study ways to reduce property tax burden on Illinois residents is calling for consolidation of school districts and other local units of government and a boost in the state’s share of funding for K-12 education.
State panel looks for isolation room answers State panel looks for isolation room answers Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Legislators and advocates began discussions Tuesday of what action the state can take to counteract the overuse of physical restraint and forced isolation of students in Illinois schools,... Read more
Attorney General seeks accelerated ratepayer refund from electric utilities Attorney General seeks accelerated ratepayer refund from electric utilities Monday, January 6, 2020 Two of the state’s largest electric utilities owe their customers a combined $543 million in refunds, according to state regulators, but there is sharp disagreement over how much time the... Read more
Comptroller to end state assistance in red-light camera debt collection Comptroller to end state assistance in red-light camera debt collection Monday, January 6, 2020 Pressure is mounting on red-light camera operators as Democratic Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Monday that, beginning Feb. 6, her office will no longer assist municipalities in... Read more
Dispensaries report smooth rollout of legalized marijuana Dispensaries report smooth rollout of legalized marijuana Thursday, January 2, 2020 The first day of legal sales of recreational marijuana in Illinois went “extraordinarily well,” according to one industry representative, with total sales on Jan. 1 of nearly $3.2... Read more
New year will bring a higher minimum wage, legalization of marijuana New year will bring a higher minimum wage, legalization of marijuana Thursday, December 26, 2019 The state’s minimum wage will increase by $1 hourly, recreational marijuana will go on sale to those over 21 years of age, and some state taxes and licensing fees will increase when the... Read more
CAPITOL BRIEFS: State to receive $40.2 million in early childhood development grants CAPITOL BRIEFS: State to receive $40.2 million in early childhood development grants Monday, December 23, 2019 Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced Monday that the state will receive $40.2 million in federal grants over the next three years to improve early childhood programs. Read more