Gov. Pat Quinn is asking legislative leaders to form a conference committee to forge a compromise on Illinois’ $97 billion pension crisis.
Quinn is meeting Friday with House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President
John Cullerton. He wants an agreement before Wednesday’s special legislative session. Continue reading
With college tuition on the rise, Illinois House Republicans say they want to give working class families a break, and an incentive to go to a school in state.
Rep. Adam Brown graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in 2007, but in that short time, tuition’s steadily gone up.
BROWN: “The average cost for tuition, fees and books right now – $26,000 and ten years ago that was $19,000.”
Brown proposes giving families a tax credit worth $1000 to help offset expenses for going to an accredited Illinois college or university. It’d only last four years, and be available to families with incomes under $150,000.
Of course -giving families a tax break means Illinois would be giving up that revenue. And Republicans, like Brown, have been calling for the state to rein in spending and for a rollback of the 2011 income tax hike. Still, Brown defends his plan.
BROWN: “Very few issues are more important than a well-educated working class and that’s exactly what these tax relief/incentive packages provide.”
Brown also wants to lift restrictions on the types of pre-paid college tuition funds, or 529s, on which Illinois residents can claim deductions.
-Amanda Vinicky
State Rep. Rich Brauer
What will the special legislative session next week accomplish?
“Nothing,” says Rep. Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg). Brauer was a guest on WUIS’ Illinois Edition Thursday. He talks pensions, concealed carry, same sex marriage and the state budget:
Timothy “Mo” Ryan
The Sangamon Co. Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in solving a missing persons case.
57-year-old Timothy P. “Mo” Ryan of Springfield was last seen during the morning of June 3rd, in the area of the South 6th Street (near Southern View).
Sangamon County Undersheriff Jack Campbell says his family is concerned for his well-being and would like to know where he is.
Anyone with information on Ryan’s whereabouts can call the Sheriff’s Office at 217-753-6840 or the Southern View Police Department at 217-529-0255.
“Juneteenth celebration in Austin, Texas, on June 19, 1900.” – Wikimedia Commons
For two decades Springfielders have celebrated Juneteenth. It’s a holiday commemorated in most states. It marks the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865, which came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Locally, festivities include a parade, Gus Macker basketball competitions, food, music and more this Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 7 in Comer Cox Park. Rachel Otwell recently spoke with Doris Williams, who helps organize the event. She explains what the celebration is all about:
Gen. Benjamin Grierson (Photo: Wikipedia)
Gen. Benjamin Grierson won acclaim for his tactical raid that helped the Union forces take Vicksburg. But before then, he was a music teacher in Jacksonville. This weekend, the community’s annual event to honor Grierson takes place. Plenty of free events that tie history and entertainment together are part of Grierson Days.
Ron Gray coordinates the festival:
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is planning a fresh vote on his own plan to reform public-employee pensions despite a request from the governor for compromise with the Senate.
The Chicago Democrat filed legislation Wednesday identical to a bill the House OK’d last month but failed in the Senate.
It doesn’t mention a rival proposal by Senate President John Cullerton. Gov. Pat Quinn wants both ideas in one bill in case a court rejects one.
Quinn has called the General Assembly into a June 19 special session to deal with the $97 billion pension debt.
Madigan has said Quinn’s idea for hybrid legislation could be too complicated.
The new version delays implementation until June 2014 so it takes fewer votes to pass it. (AP)
