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Brady nominated to replace Radogno as Senate GOP Leader

By Hoang Tran | Jun 30, 2017

Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) was selected unanimously today by his Republican colleagues to serve as new Illinois Senate Republican Leader.

Radogno sends shockwave with sudden resignation from Senate

By Hoang Tran | Jun 29, 2017

In a surprise announcement, Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) resigned her position and the Senate effective Saturday.

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Madigan accuses Rauner of putting 'right-wing agenda' above taxpayers

By Hoang Tran | Jun 26, 2017

After a bipartisan meeting with legislative leaders on Sunday night, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) described Gov. Bruce Rauner's demands for a property tax freeze another way the governor is pushing his agenda ahead of the real needs of Illinoisans.

Madigan turns tables, calls Rauner the budget hostage-taker

By Hoang Tran | Jun 26, 2017

House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) told a bipartisan group of General Assembly leaders on Sunday night that Gov. Bruce Rauner has kidnapped the Illinois budget-making process.

No magic bullet, including property tax freeze, experts tell House panel

By Hoang Tran | Jun 25, 2017

No simple solution exists for the budget and economic woes plaguing Illinois, several experts told a House Subcommittee on Property Taxes on Friday.

Rauner, GOP bemoan budget breakdown, blame bickering Democrats

By Hoang Tran | Jun 9, 2017

“Today we’ve seen a complete dereliction of duty by the majority in the General Assembly,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said after the 100th session of the General Assembly closed. “Once again, a tragic failure to serve the people of Illinois. A tragic failure to pass a balanced budget along with critical structural changes to protect taxpayers and grow more jobs.”

Rauner says lllinois' hopes, heart rest with small businesses

By Hoang Tran | Jun 7, 2017

If Illinois loses its small businesses, it loses its backbone, according to Gov. Bruce Rauner, who lamented the loss of such businesses and urged lawmakers to come together to make it stop.

GOP rep chides chamber: Pick a revenue number and get budget going

By Hoang Tran | May 19, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) chastised the House for its lack of progress on a state budget estimate, calling it a failure of the chamber.

State senators tout 'Taxpayer Bargain budget plan

By Hoang Tran | Apr 19, 2017

State Sens. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) have unveiled a Taxpayer Bargain budget plan they say calls for spending reductions, protections for elementary and secondary education, pension reform, restructuring and legislative accountability.

Durkin demands Democratic help ending budget crisis

By Hoang Tran | Apr 10, 2017

Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) is urging Democrats in Springfield to work with his party to formulate reforms to get Illinois back on track.

Rauner grateful for House GOP support of pension reform bill

By Hoang Tran | Mar 24, 2017

Several Republican representatives will announce their support for a comprehensive pension reform bill that is meant to improve the pension problems in the state, including the pension crisis in Chicago, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said on Friday.

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Debt takes a holiday

By Hoang Tran | Mar 23, 2017

Behind on its bills and burdened by a budget battle, Illinois can't afford a birthday gift for favorite son and former President Barack Obama, the House decided this week.

Professor: Alderman needs guidelines for lobbyist allegedly acting as chief of staff

By Hoang Tran | Dec 11, 2016

Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly should set clear parameters if he is to continue to employ registered lobbyist Madeleine Doering, University of Illinois Professor Dick Simpson said.

Destitute Illinois ponders state taxpayer funding of abortions

By Hoang Tran | Nov 28, 2016

A measure that would have Illinois taxpayers fund abortions for all 3.1 million Medicaid recipients and 77,000 state employees is under consideration by the Illinois legislature.

Watchdog alleges Chicago alderman using lobbyist on staff illegally

By Hoang Tran | Nov 23, 2016

Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) allegedly is employing a registered lobbyist who represents some of the biggest and most powerful real estate developers in the city as his chief of staff -- a conflict of interest that would skirt legal and ethical guidelines, Faisal Khan, who investigated the matter for watchdog group Project Six, alleges.

Analyst: Border-wall divestment bill would hurt state's pensioners, businesses

By Hoang Tran | Nov 23, 2016

In a charged statement and maneuver that opposes President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, Illinois state Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) has proposed a House bill that would require those managing the state’s pension funds to divest investments in companies that may be hired by the Trump administration to build the border wall.

Critics say teacher pension pickups oppress taxpayers

By Hoang Tran | Nov 7, 2016

One of the biggest victories for the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) when it scored a victory through a new four-year contract is that pension pickups were preserved, but what is good for teachers is not always what is good for everyone else as the plan stands to cost taxpayers a fortune.