Staffing and budget issues still haunt DCFS, union officials say Staffing and budget issues still haunt DCFS, union officials say Friday, March 8, 2019 Labor officials who represent workers in the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services say staff shortages in that agency have been making it difficult for case workers to keep up with a large volume of reports about abuse and neglect.
State higher education officials defend Pritzker’s proposed budget increase State higher education officials defend Pritzker’s proposed budget increase Thursday, March 7, 2019 Higher education officials defended Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed $137 million increase in higher education funding for next year before a key House committee on Thursday as some lawmakers expressed skepticism the full request could be funded. The interim director of the state's Board of Higher Education, called the proposal “the largest increase that higher ed has seen, if...
New bill aims to crack down on illegal gun possession New bill aims to crack down on illegal gun possession Wednesday, March 6, 2019 A state senator is proposing legislation that would tighten gun ownership laws in Illinois and require law enforcement officers to confiscate weapons and ammunition from people who have had their... Read more
Black college enrollment down sharply in Illinois Black college enrollment down sharply in Illinois Tuesday, March 5, 2019 The number of African-American students enrolled at public colleges and universities in Illinois has fallen nearly 26 percent in recent years, while enrollment among other minority groups... Read more
Lawmakers push for Medicaid managed care reform Lawmakers push for Medicaid managed care reform Tuesday, March 5, 2019 “We have a broken managed care program in Illinois, and it’s threatening the very future of our health care providers and the patients they serve all around this state,” Senate... Read more
Southern Illinois seeks funding for campuses, highway expansion Southern Illinois seeks funding for campuses, highway expansion Monday, March 4, 2019 Local officials from southern Illinois told state lawmakers Monday their highest priorities in a hoped-for public works package are upgrades to college and university campuses and expansion of... Read more
Drug industry takes heat in legislative hearing over spiraling prices Drug industry takes heat in legislative hearing over spiraling prices Friday, March 1, 2019 Illinois lawmakers heard stories Friday about how the rising cost of prescription drugs is endangering the lives of many of the most vulnerable people in society – the poor, the elderly and... Read more
State forecasters see modest economic growth next year, but warning signs ahead State forecasters see modest economic growth next year, but warning signs ahead Thursday, February 28, 2019 The state of Illinois can expect to see moderate economic growth in the upcoming fiscal year that will lead to higher tax receipts for the state. But there are warning signs on the national... Read more