Question of the day
The governor's response How many bills have they sent to my desk that I was gonna veto? That doesn't stop 'em. That doesn't stop 'em.
Category Archives: Illinois Government
Illinois governor calls another special session on education
Gov. Bruce Rauner reiterated his call on Monday morning for Illinois lawmakers to send him a school funding overhaul by noon, saying he will call a special session this week if it's not on his desk. The Democrat-majority Legislature has approved a plan to ensure the neediest school districts get money first.
Group targets Forsyth GOP legislator over vote to override veto
State Rep. Bill Mitchell is one of 16 state representatives being targeted by the Americans for Prosperity-Illinois for voting to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a 32 percent income tax increase. The AFP-Illinois says it will run online ads and distribute mail pieces, as well as "our grass-roots presence," to hit Mitchell and the others for the tax increase vote earlier this month.
Durbin, Duckworth: Plainfield tank car derailment a wake-up call for DOT
WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth today called on U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to do more to prevent railroad tank car accidents like the one in Plainfield, Illinois on June 30, 2017, in which multiple rail cars on a Canadian National train carrying crude oil derailed, causing an estimated 45,000 gallons of oil to leak out of the tank cars. "We are extremely grateful for the hard work of Plainfield's first responders, who were able to contain the spill and prevent any injuries or deaths as a result of the incident," the Senators wrote in a letter to Secretary Chao.
Illinois Senate nixes vetoes of budget plan with tax hike
The Illinois Senate voted Tuesday to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's vetoes of a $36 billion budget package fueled by a $5 billion tax increase designed to start digging out of the nation's deepest budget crisis since at least the Great Depression. The Democratic-controlled chamber completed its work within 30 minutes of the Republican governor's vetoes, sending the package back to the House for an override vote that would give Illinois its first annual budget since 2015.
Ill. gov. vetoes income tax hike; Senate votes to override
The Illinois Senate voted Tuesday to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's vetoes of a $36 billion budget package fueled by a $5 billion tax increase designed to start digging out of the nation's deepest budget crisis since at least the Great Depression. The Democratic-controlled chamber completed its work within 30 minutes of the Republican governor's vetoes, sending the package back to the House for an override vote that would give Illinois its first annual budget since 2015.
Budget Vote: GOP Senator Sides With Dems
Republican State Sen. Dale Righter of Mattoon voted with Democrats in favor of the initial budget package. He says he did so because of input from his constituents, which includes Eastern Illinois University.
Illinois Governor Vetoes Budget Deal; Legislators Begin Override
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks to reporters in front of his office at the State Capitol in Springfield, on June 30, 2016. Illinois lawmakers had just passed a stop-gap budget.
After tax hike and budget votes, Illinois avoids credit downgrade to junk for now
Governor Bruce Rauner held his third State of the State address Wednesday in Springfield. He highlighted many of Illinois' accomplishments, while also discussing many of the things that have to change moving forward.
The Latest: Ill. House speaker vows override of budget veto
The Latest on a legislative session on Illinois' budget as the state enters a third straight year without a spending plan : The Illinois Senate has adjourned without taking action on House-approved legislation to break the nation's longest budget standoff since the Great Depression. Chicago Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has scheduled a meeting of the four legislative leaders for the same time.
Illinois House passes $5 billion tax package, spending plan
Illinois' Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed big, permanent increases in income tax rates and a $36 billion fiscal 2018 spending plan on Sunday with the help of some Republican votes as the cash-strapped state scrambled to stave off a bond rating downgrade to junk. The $5 billion tax package, which passed in a 72-45 vote and drew an immediate veto threat from Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, would boost the personal income tax rate to 4.95 percent from 3.75 percent and the corporate rate to 7 percent from 5.25 percent.
Rauner, lawmakers working holiday weekend as major obstacles remain to deal
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, asked New York bond rating agencies on Friday to hold off on downgrading the state's credit rating to junk status as budget negotiations continued. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, asked New York bond rating agencies on Friday to hold off on downgrading the state's credit rating to junk status as budget negotiations continued.
Chinese scholar believed dead; man charged with kidnapping
Hundreds of people gathered at the University of Illinois to show support for a Chinese scholar who disappeared three weeks ago. This undated photo provided by the University of Illinois Police Department shows Yingying Zhang.
Illinois lawmakers return after missing key budget deadline
Madigan said more work needs t... . House Majority Leader Barbara Fynn Currie, D-Chicago, smiles as the House votes 90-25 to adopt a spending bill amendment to Senate Bill Six in Springfield, Ill., on Friday, June 30, 2017.
Madigan offers budget, but won’t say how he’d fund it
That prompted Republicans backed by Gov. Bruce Rauner to accuse Democrats of refusing to "show their cards" on a tax increase, saying without details it's impossible to tell if Madigan's blueprint was balanced. With a Friday deadline looming to strike an agreement before Illinois government enters a third-straight year without a budget, both political parties appear to be locked in a high-stakes game of chicken.
Clinton: Marching From One Pyrrhic Victory To
Once written off as a political comatose following Obama's sensational victories--eleven landslides in all, prior to
Still No Movement at Special Session in Springfield
June 23 - Senate Democrats passed a tax hike bill out of their chamber without GOP votes, but they now are pushing for Republicans to get on board in an effort to end the nearly two-year budget impasse and bailout the state's poor finances. Republicans want assurances on reforms to grow the economy and provide property tax relief.
Illinois General Assembly Leaves Industry in Limbo
June 21, 2017 - The legislative road in Illinois has certainly had its ups and downs in the last General Assembly, and our fight to reinstate the Graphics Arts Sales Tax Exemption and the Manufacturers Purchase Credit continues. The Great Lakes Graphics Association along with the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Manufacturers Association are building a solid case to bring back these critical tax incentives that the printing industry once had in Illinois.
A look at Illinois’ budget mess as lawmakers head to Capitol
Already holding the title for longest state budget stalemate, Illinois is poised to enter a third year without a spending plan as the feud between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats controlling the Legislature drags on. Lawmakers blew past a budget deadline last month, triggering a requirement that any new budget vote be by three-fifths instead of a majority.
Illinois congressman displays shrapnel as he urges: ‘Tone down this rhetoric’
Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., describes for reporters on Capitol Hill the scene during a shooting at a congressional baseball game in Alexandria, Va., on June 14, 2017. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., describes for reporters on Capitol Hill the scene during a shooting at a congressional baseball game in Alexandria, Va., on June 14, 2017.