Preview: Fall Veto Session
For the first time since a brief special session in July,legislators will begin making their way en masse to Springfield this week, for the fall veto session. The agenda before them is relatively...
View ArticleVeto Session So Far: Nothing Happening
Illinois lawmakers returned to Springfield Tuesday for their fall veto session. Guns, gay marriage and corporate tax breaks are on the agenda. But nothing is moving yet.Supporters and opponents of...
View ArticleLegislators Skip Town Early
Illinois legislators were supposed to meet this week for three days as part of the fall veto session; instead they left Springfield after only two.Little was accomplished during that time. Despite...
View ArticleMuseums Lose Bid To Cut Free Days
Many Illinois museums will continue to have to offer 52 free days a year. That's after the Illinois House failed to override a veto of legislation that would have cut that number in half.The museum...
View ArticleQuinn Not Ready To Talk Taxes
Though he supported Illinois' income tax hike in the past, Governor Pat Quinn is so far unwilling to take a stance on whether it should expire.This fiscal year, Illinois is putting $6.8 billion toward...
View ArticleHeavy Veto Session Agenda
Illinois legislators are scheduled to finish out their veto session this week. Their back-loaded agenda ranges from dealing with budget matters to social issues.The first week of the veto session...
View ArticleLegislators Set To Give Tax Breaks ... But Not Yet, ADM
State legislators are advancing a measure that attempts to lure chemical plant jobs to Illinois, but broader plans to offer companies like ADM incentives are not ready just yet. Archer Daniels...
View ArticleGovernor: Will Sign Same-Sex Marriage "Pretty Soon"
The same-sex marriage legislation approved yesterday, Nov. 5, by the Illinois General Assembly will become law by the end of the month.Gov. Pat Quinn hosted a party last night at the executive mansion...
View ArticlePlan To Hasten Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage
Gay and lesbian couples may not have to wait until June to marry in Illinois. A lawmaker is moving to accelerate when same-sex marriage becomes legal.Already, same-sex couples are hurrying to take...
View ArticleLegislators Leave Capital, But They May Be Back
Illinois legislators wrapped up their two-week veto session this afternoon (Nov. 7), though they may be back in Springfield before the year's end.The General Assembly knocked one, big item off its...
View ArticleLegislative Leaders Take The Reins On Pensions
Overhauling Illinois' pension systems is no longer in the hands of the special committee of legislators that met all summer. How to reduce the state’s $100 billion of long-term pension debt is now in...
View ArticleA Possible Pension Legal Test
Another legislative session has gone by without a solution in place to bring down the amount Illinois owes the state's retirement systems. Given the clamoring from the governor, business leaders and...
View ArticleThe Real Driver Behind Quinn's Rideshare Regulation Veto
Rideshare services have scored a win against Chicago's taxi industry in a battle that began in the legislature and moved on to the race for Illinois governor. Gov. Pat Quinn this morning vetoed a plan...
View ArticleHow Politics Steered The Uber Bill
Gone are the days of standing outside, in the rain, hoping a taxi will pass by. Ridesharing services allow anyone with a smart-phone to download an app and get setup with a ride ... at least in the...
View ArticleThe Preview: Important Issues Loom as Lawmakers Prepare for Veto Session
Legislative sessions scheduled after a general election but before a new General Assembly is sworn in are historically a time when things get done.
View ArticleRauner Wants Lame Ducks To Lay Off
Even though the race for Illinois governor is over, Gov. Pat Quinn and Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner continue to be at odds, this time over the minimum wage.When he made his brief concession speech, Quinn...
View ArticleMadigan Wants To Split Lincoln Library, But Why The Rush?
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is reviving his end-of-session effort to make the Springfield-based Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum its own state agency. As first reported by the...
View ArticleListen to State Week - November 14, 2014
A look ahead at the upcoming Veto Session, the aftermath of the results in the Governor's race, and the race for Treasurer is still too close to call.
View ArticleLatest Minimum Wage Hike Goes To Eleven
The sponsor of a minimum wage hike says she'll push to get it passed during the legislature's veto session, which began today, Tues. Nov. 19.Sen. Kim Lightford, a Democrat from Maywood, pointed to the...
View ArticleLast Minute Rush To Change Freedom Of Information Act
Illinois residents could have a harder time accessing government information under new legislation before the General Assembly. The plan, SB2799, makes it harder for people to get repaid legal costs...
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