Category: Illinois

Illinois congressman objects to men purchasing prenatal care

Illinois Republican Rep. John Shimkus is under fire after comments he made Wednesday about prenatal requirements in the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. During a 27-hour debate on House Republicans’ health care plan in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Shimkus suggested men could be opposed to former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law because under the law they are required to pay for prenatal care.

Rapper gives $1 million to Chicago schools, blasts governor

Chance the Rapper’s unusual intervention into Chicago Public Schools’ funding crisis took an even more curious turn Monday when the Grammy-winner presented a $1 million check to city schools and urged Gov. Bruce Rauner to use his executive powers to help the nation’s third-largest district. The Republican governor, a former venture capitalist, responded by noting his own philanthropy and floating Chicago school funding ideas that would face tough odds in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Chance the Rapper, Illinois governor discuss school funding

Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper used a Friday sit-down with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to press for immediate funding for cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools, but said he left “flustered” over “vague answers.” The unusual one-on-one meeting comes amid a two-year budget fight between the Republican first-term governor and the Democrat-controlled Legislature, who are deadlocked on a state spending plan.

Chance the Rapper, Illinois governor discuss school funding

Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper has used a meeting with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to press for immediate funding for Chicago Public Schools Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper meets with reporters at the Thompson Center in Chicago after a meeting with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday, March 3, 2017. CHICAGO – Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper used a Friday sit-down with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to press for immediate funding for cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools, but said he left “flustered” over “vague answers.”

Amid protests, UK lawmakers debate downgrading Trump visit

A severe storm system spawned a possible tornado that caused minor injuries and damaged more than 150 homes in the San Antonia area late Sunday night and early Monday. Officials say a California police officer was killed and another wounded in a shooting while they were trying to help a man who had been in a traffic accident in Whittier.

Former Congressman Michel dies at age 93

Michel was an affable Illinois congressman who served as leader of the GOP House minority for 14 years. His skill at seeking compromise with the Democrats was critical in helping Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush pursue their agendas during their presidential terms.

Big utilities try to tilt solar energy market in their favor

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s energy utilities want state lawmakers to pass a law that critics say would muscle out smaller companies from the emerging solar energy market.Solar power provides only about 1 percent of the country’s energy, but it is growing rapidly, with U.S. Energy Department figures showing solar industry employment grew 125 percent … (more)

The Latest: Pritzker still considering Illinois governor bid

The Latest on businessman Chris Kennedy, the son of late U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy, announcing his run for Illinois governor : The Democrat released a statement Wednesday, after businessman Chris Kennedy announced he’s seeking the Democratic nomination to try to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Kennedy is the son of Ethel and the late U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy, who also served as attorney general before he was assassinated in 1968.

Army to allow completion of Dakota Access oil pipeline

This Sept. 29, 2016, file photo, shows a section of the Dakota Access Pipeline under construction near the town of St. Anthony in Morton County, N.D. The Army has notified Congress Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, that it will allow the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline to cross under a Missouri River reservoir in North Dakota, completing the four-state project to move North Dakota oil to Illinois.

Lawmakers consider expanding Illinois immigrant protections

Immigrant rights advocates protest President Donald Trump’s executive orders Wednesday on immigration in Chicago. State legislators are attempting to boost immigrant protections in response to President Donald Trump’s forceful orders on immigration, a move advocates say would essentially make Illinois a “sanctuary” state.

Navy SEAL killed in al-Qaida raid remembered as hero

A decorated U.S. Navy SEAL from Illinois who was killed during a raid against al-Qaida in Yemen is being remembered as a hero by elected officials and those who knew him as a high school student. A friend from Illinois Valley Central High School, Cody Jackson, said Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens was doing exactly what he wanted with his life when the 36-year-old Peoria man was killed in a firefight in a raid that left 30 others dead, including an estimated 14 militants.

U.S. auto dealers look to Trump to ease vehicle emissions rules

Jan 29 U.S. auto dealers gathered for their annual convention in New Orleans said they want President Donald Trump to ease federal regulation of vehicle emissions and consumer lending, reversing action taken by his predecessor. Former President Barack Obama enacted rules requiring automakers to roughly double the average fuel efficiency of their U.S. car and truck fleets to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

More

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner suggested Friday that the state’s attorney general might be trying to “cause a crisis” by asking a court to stop paying more than 62,000 government workers while a historic budget stalemate drags on. Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed the motion Thursday in St. Clair County, a staunch working-class Illinois suburb of St. Louis where a judge nearly two years ago ordered that withholding paychecks, even without a budget, would violate the state Constitution.

With eye on 2018, Illinois governor says ‘Don’t blame me’

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strategy for fending off potential Democratic challengers includes stressing the bright spots while blaming others for the things going horribly wrong FILE – In this Jan. 25, 2017 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner delivers his State of the State address in the Illinois House chamber in Springfield, Ill. With crises mounting around him and potential Democratic rivals circling, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strategy for keeping his job in 2018 appears to involve stressing the bright spots and blaming others for the things going horribly wrong.

What’s next for the Dakota Access, Keystone XL pipelines?

BISMARCK, N.D. _ President Donald Trump’s executive actions on the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines are aimed at turning the much-protested pipelines into reality. Here’s a look at what may be next for the two pipelines: The $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline to carry North Dakota oil through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois is nearly complete, except for a stretch underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir in southern North Dakota.

a oeDay Onea of Donald Trump presidency: The latest

President Donald Trump is telling union leaders that he is redoing the nation’s trade deals “to put a lot of people back to work.” He noted that he earlier in the day signed a memorandum announcing the United States’ intention to withdraw from the multi-nation trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Large crowds turn out for women’s marches across Illinois

CHICAGO – Dorothy DeCarlo burned her bra during college 50 years ago to fight for women’s rights. As she stood among a sea of people gathered for a women’s rally and march in downtown Chicago on Saturday, she carried a sign that stated: “I can’t believe I still have to protest this [expletive].” “I thought we took the bruises.

Illinois Senate vows swift action on ambitious budget plan

If last week’s action is any indication, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Illinois Senate are serious about attempting to bust the state’s 18-month budget deadlock – quickly. Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno negotiated an ambitious, multi-part plan to end a nearly two-year battle between Democrats and GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner, which has forestalled an agreed-upon annual state spending plan since 2015.

We Were Warned About Barack Obama-By Obama

In the fall of 2014, I attended a meeting of Iowa City progressives called to discuss the possibility of trying to enlist Bernie Sanders to enter the 2016 presidential race as a Democrat. When the 30 or so attendees went around the table introducing themselves, all but two expressed “disappointment” with Barack Obama-a president in whom they’d invested considerable betrayed hope for progressive- and left-leaning change.

New Legislature, same old problem in Illinois: No budget

Illinois’ financial crisis is being handed off from one set of lawmakers to another this week – a problem that, at 18 months, is the nation’s longest-running budget stalemate. The key players: The conservative businessman-turned-governor Bruce Rauner and Michael Madigan, the old-school Democratic House speaker whose decades at the helm has made him a Capitol institution.

Blagojevich Supporters Plan Vigil

Under mounting pressure to free convicts as one last act, President Barack Obama is planning at least one more batch of pardons and commutations before leaving office in two weeks. The list of bold names appealing to Obama for compassion in his final weeks includes accused leaker Chelsea Manning, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Army Sgt.

Obama is planning one last batch of pardons before he departs – but …

Under mounting pressure to free convicts as a last act, President Barack Obama is planning at least one more batch of pardons and commutations before leaving office in two weeks, but don’t expect many famous offenders to make the list. The list of bold names appealing to Obama for compassion in his final weeks includes accused leaker Chelsea Manning, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Army Sgt.

Pressure on Obama to grant last-minute pardons, commutations

Under mounting pressure to free convicts as a last act, President Barack Obama is planning at least one more batch of pardons and commutations before leaving office in two weeks. The list of bold names appealing to Obama for compassion in his final weeks includes accused leaker Chelsea Manning, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Army Sgt.

Under 3 weeks left: Obama in closing stretch of presidency

His last presidential vacation behind him, Barack Obama is entering the closing stretch of his term, an eleventh-hour push to tie up loose ends and put finishing touches on his legacy before handing the reins to President-elect Donald Trump. Obama returns to Washington at midday Monday from Hawaii with less than three weeks remaining in his presidency.

Under 3 weeks left: Obama in closing stretch of presidency

His last presidential vacation behind him, Barack Obama is entering the closing stretch of his term, an eleventh-hour push to tie up loose ends and put finishing touches on his legacy before handing the reins to President-elect Donald Trump. Obama returns to Washington at midday Monday from Hawaii with less than three weeks remaining in his presidency.