News from the last 30 days
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September 02, 2010
GOP playing name game with Madigan Madiganville fails to capture essence of House speaker's power
Chicago Tribune
It sounds unbelievable, but Illinois Republicans are actually proposing to change the name of Illinois to something a tad more realistic. They want to call it "Madiganville," in honor of House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Chicago Democratic boss who runs the state legislature. "Why don't we just change the name of our state from Illinois to 'Madiganville'?" suggested state Republican Part... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Ryan seeks release based on Supreme Court ruling Attorneys cite case of ex-Enron CEO
Chicago Tribune
Former Gov. George Ryan wants a judge to free him from prison and throw out some of the charges that landed him there, using an argument based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this summer. Ryan's attorneys on Tuesday filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer to strike down his conviction on charges of racketeering and mail fraud. The motion asks for Ryan's release f... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
ICC report questions costs, timing of proposed Taylorville Energy Center
Decatur Herald Review
SPRINGFIELD - A new coal power plant in Taylorville could mean higher power bills for all Illinoisans, and construction could take longer than developers expect, state regulators said in a report released Wednesday. The Illinois Commerce Commission raised several questions about the future of the proposed Taylorville Energy Center, a $3.5 billion plant proposed by Nebraska-based developer Te... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Brady takes heat from union for suggesting teachers forgo raises in tough economic times
Decatur Herald Review
SPRINGFIELD - State Sen. Bill Brady, the Republican candidate for governor, is taking heat from a teachers union over suggestions that school districts could consider forgoing teacher pay raises. Brady said his proposed cuts to the state budget would mean schools will see less money from the state. "Local school districts could absorb that by maybe not offering the pay raises that they pu... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Lawmakers are selling a lucrative state asset
Decatur Herald Review
Illinois citizens vote in elections for the people who choose to be public servants, qualified to handle the state's business and problems, finances and debt, health and education, etc. Now, we learn at the last minute that our elected officials are selling out one of the state's most-prosperous moneymakers: the Illinois Lottery. In other words, the profits return to the state for the state'... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Illinois Corrections chief stepping down
Peoria Journal Star
CHICAGO -- The Illinois Corrections chief who has been blamed for a secret early prison release program is stepping down, a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn told the Chicago Tribune. Spokeswoman Ashley Cross said Corrections Director Michael Randle is resigning as of Sept. 17 to "pursue a new opportunity." She said a replacement will be named "shortly." The newspaper reported in a story pos... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Does Illinois welcome businesses?
Peoria Journal Star
It's been one of the flashpoints of the 2010 campaign for governor: Is Illinois' business climate friendly enough to bring in new employers and encourage existing ones to expand? The Republican candidate, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, says that to be competitive, Illinois has to cut taxes, reform workers' compensation and slash bureaucratic red tape. Brady's Democratic opponent, Gov.... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Businessman wants to set himself apart from other candidates
Peoria Journal Star
PEORIA -- A Chicago pawnbroker said he will spend between $5 million and $6 million to get out his message - that he's a successful small businessman and not a politician - in an unlikely race for Illinois governor. Scott Lee Cohen, an independent who's listening tour brought him Wednesday to Peoria to meet with farmers, was tall on promises and short on specifics regarding the state's finan... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
City to receive federal retiree subsidy Peoria part of program established by national health care legislation
Peoria Journal Star
PEORIA -- The city is expected to see about $490,000 in health care-related savings thanks to a federal subsidy it is expected to receive. City officials, in a news release Wednesday, announced they received notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that Peoria will get the money through the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP). Additionally, 1,300 retirees an... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Simon brings her message to central Illinois Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor touts jobs creation, accountability
Peoria Journal Star
EL PASO -- The importance of job creation is the central theme of Sheila Simon's campaign message to Illinois residents as she tours central Illinois to stump for Gov. Pat Quinn over the Labor Day weekend. "Think about how you introduce yourself to someone," the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor said Wednesday during a meet-and-greet luncheon at the Topsy Restaurant. "You say what... <read more>