Tag Archives: Amanda Vinicky
Sandy Hook Parents To Illinois Legislators: “Prevent Your Own Newtown”
Illinois legislators have yet to reach an agreement on concealed carry … but a Senate committee advanced a separate gun control measure. The plan would forbid the future sale of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Nicole Hockley … Continue reading
Speaker Madigan Calls “Free Lunch” Pension Meeting
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is following through on his promise to try and relieve the state from having to pay for teachers’ retirement benefits. The two chambers of the General Assembly are focused on competing proposals that seek to … Continue reading
NRA: Illinois A “Hotbed of Litigation” … And More Coming
When a federal court declared Illinois’ ban on allowing people to carry guns in public unconstitutional, it also gave legislators an assignment: pass a concealed carry law by June 9. Lawmakers are in continued negotiations, but so far gun rights’ activists and … Continue reading
Puppy Lemon Bill Passes Senate
Consumers who unwittingly buy a diseased animal from a pet store could get their money back under a measure approved by the Illinois Senate. It’s similar to someone who buys a jalopy under false pretenses … but in this case, … Continue reading
Gov. Quinn Making More, Giving Less
Governor Pat Quinn‘s tax returns show he made more money last year … but he gave less to charity than he did in 2011. Governor Pat Quinn’s making more money, now that state employees and officials are no longer taking … Continue reading
Quinn Signals Caution On Bill To Raise Speed Limit
This week, Senators gave their okay to raising the speed limit on Illinois highways, but Governor Pat Quinn isn’t so sure. Drivers could legally put the pedal to the metal a BIT more under a measure recently approved by the … Continue reading
Springfield Schools Seek Grant For Missing State Property Taxes
Springfield schools could reap in an extra million dollars or so under a measure the Illinois Senate approved today. It’s based on a belief that the district is losing cash because it has so many government buildings. State government has … Continue reading
Manchester Stunned By Murders; Autopsy Confirms Mother Was Pregnant
A longtime pastor in the small, west central Illinois community of Manchester says he’s trying to figure out what to tell parishioners on Sunday after five people were murdered yesterday morning just blocks away from the church. The young mother … Continue reading
Universities Get “Ready To Respond” In Wake Of Campus Disasters
Nine Illinois universities and colleges, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Richland Community College in Decatur, will take part in a new disaster preparation initiative. The chairman of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, Don Kauerauf, says he was … Continue reading
Push To Keep Students’ HIV Status Private
HIV-positive students would no longer be outed to their school officials under a measure pending before the state Senate. Illinois’ Public Health Department tells schools if one of their students has HIV or AIDS. The agency has to – it’s … Continue reading
NRA-Backed Gun Plan Falls Short In Illinois House
A concealed carry measure supported by the National Rifle Association was defeated in the Illinois House last night. It’s legislators latest attempt to comply with a court order that they pass a law permitting people to carry guns in public. … Continue reading
Senior Home Care Program In Jeopardy
Illinois lawmakers appear to be heeding warnings that a program serving approximately 85-thousand senior citizens could be shut down without additional funding. Illinois’ Community Care program pays workers to assist senior citizens living at home. But it ran out of … Continue reading
Gov. Quinn: Never Visited Jacksonville Or Murray Developmental Centers
Under the direction of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois is closing another state facility for people with severe developmental disabilities. He shuttered the Jacksonville Developmental Center last year. Next, is the Murray Developmental Center, in Centralia. But he admits he has … Continue reading
Republican Rauner Invites Legislators To Campaign Meeting
According to a recent analysis of polling by The New York Times, Illinois’ Pat Quinn is the second least popular governor in the U-S. Needless to say, that has lots of politicians eyeing his job. One, wealthy Republican considering a … Continue reading
Spring Break’s Over – What’s Next At The Capitol?
Legislators and lobbyists will once again fill Illinois’ capitol this week, as the General Assembly returns from a two-week break. Now’s the time the legislative session ratchets up – as it will until a scheduled May 31 adjournment. The Senate … Continue reading
Corporate Tax Policy Tug Of War Begins
The perennial game of tug-of-war over state taxes has begun. Governor Pat Quinn wants legislators to close what he calls “corporate tax loopholes.” The Governor’s office says Illinois could save $445 million by closing three so-called loopholes.
Natural Gas Companies Next In Rate Hike Pipeline
The natural gas industry is the latest utility to ask legislators for a favor. Ameren, People’s Gas and North Shore Gas want state lawmakers to approve a rate hike. Consumer groups say it’s a disturbing trend.
Quinn: Online Gambling Proposal “Problematic”
The latest version of a plan to give Illinois more casinos also bets on a type of wagering currently not allowed at all: Internet gambling. But as Amanda Vinicky reports, the Governor’s not interested in playing. Governor Pat Quinn has … Continue reading
(Spring) Break From Pensions
Pension proposals darted across the statehouse last week. But teachers, as well as state and university workers, worried about what legislators will do to their retirement benefits can rest easy that there will be no major action this week. The … Continue reading
Retroactive Electric Rate Hikes Bill Goes To Governor
Utility giant Commonwealth Edison is on its way to securing a rate hike that will pay for upgrades to the state’s electric grid. Legislators passed the measure in a hurry; it’s only the sixth piece of legislation to make it to … Continue reading
AFSCME Members Say “Yes” To New State Contract
State employees who are members of AFSCME have voted overwhelmingly to accept the terms of a new state contract. The union announced the results last evening. Governor Pat Quinn and the union spent 15 months bargaining, until finally coming up … Continue reading
DCEO Fights For Its Life As Legislators Debate Privatization
Governor Pat Quinn’s administration is fighting to keep control of its economic development arm, as legislators debate moving to a private model. DCEOpriv1 Illinois’ success at keeping, and attracting, companies remains under scrutiny — especially since Sears and the Chicago … Continue reading
Military Service Could Give Felons Chance For Clean Slate
Felons who serve in the military may get an opportunity to have their criminal records wiped clean. Long before he was a State Representative, Mike Bost was a Marine.
In A Jumble Of Pension Proposals, Two Make It Out Of The House
A pair of pension measures met success in the Illinois House yesterday – a day after a Senate panel approved two other proposals. Supporters of overhauling the state’s underfunded pension systems see it as a sign it could happen this … Continue reading
Quinn Expected To Issue Executive Order Eliminating Dozens Of State Boards
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn may have a hard time getting most of his budget through the General Assembly, but he is expected to act today on one proposal that doesn’t require getting legislators’ approval. Governor Quinn is set to follow … Continue reading
Memo Outlines How Much State Retirees Could Have To Pay For Health Care
Governor Pat Quinn’s tentative agreement with the state’s largest government-employee union would finally implement a law to make retired state workers pay for their health care, regardless of ability to pay, or how long they worked. According to a memo … Continue reading
Power Suppliers’ Switched On But Honeymoon Is Ending
Illinois residents saved up to $218 million on their electric bills last year thanks to competition in the market. But that’s expected to shift this summer, and a consumer watchdog group is voicing its early concerns.
Electric Rate Plan Surging Through General Assembly
The Illinois Senate is quickly advancing legislation that will allow Illinois’ main utilities to charge customers more for electricity. Illinois legislators already gave Commonwealth Edison and Ameren the go-ahead to raise rates, in 2011. They passed a law over Governor Pat … Continue reading
Federal Approval of Illinois’ Insurance Exchange Expected
Illinois could receive federal approval of a key component of Obamacare as early as today. Illinois needs the federal government’s okay before it can begin rolling out what’s known as an “insurance exchange” — that’s a marketplace where the uninsured … Continue reading
Major Pension Plan Poised For House Vote
Over the protests of state employee unions, an Illinois House committee today gave bipartisan support to a plan intended to repair Illinois’ underfunded pensions. That leaves the measure poised for a House vote, as the legislative session quickly comes to … Continue reading
Senate President Urges House To Pass Pension Plan For State Employees
Negotiations for a complete overhaul of Illinois’ underfunded pension systems continue. But the president of the state Senate continues to push for a measure his chamber approved months ago. In May, the Senate passed legislation that reduces state workers’ and … Continue reading
Union Ejection Bill Placed On Hold
Unions are getting another chance to negotiate on a measure that would prevent thousands of state employees from joining one, and eject thousands of others from it. It’s an effort by Governor Pat Quinn to curb the growth of unions. … Continue reading
New Pension Plan: A Fresh Start? Or Dead On Arrival?
A pension debt topping $96 billion – and counting – continues to plague Illinois. Many prior attempts to do something about it have resulted in defeat. Now a dozen rank-and-file legislators are making a go of it. They unveiled a … Continue reading
Radogno Keeps Top GOP Spot Following Challenge
Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno will retain her position as the chamber’s top Republican. The incoming class of Senate Republicans chose her in a closed door meeting Wednesday night by a 12 to six vote, with one voting “present”. … Continue reading
