Chicago City Wire

From Prairie State Wire

National labor law attorney: Legal marijuana doesn't give employees a 'get out of jail free card'

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Since Illinois has become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, national labor lawyer and legal analyst Michelle Lee Flores suggests the Prairie State began to prepare for employment law issues.

Kessem supports 1-percent property tax cap, says it could solve state's outmigration problem

By Angela Underwood | Aug 22, 2018

GOP House hopeful Ammie Kessem believes that placing a 1-percent cap on property taxes is the best way to keep residents from fleeing Illinois.

From South Cook News

Lack of residential placement options keeps DCFS' foster kids in hospitals longer than needed

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Committee members in the Senate Human Services Hearing heard at length earlier this month about how children in the custody of the Illinois Department Children and Family Services (DCFS) are being kept in hospitals beyond medical necessity.

From Prairie State Wire

Rauner signs law providing more funding for police officers and their families

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed House BIll 5513 into law, which provides additional funds for police officers and families.

From Prairie State Wire

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families.

Reick and Rezin chastise Chicago Public Schools for doing nothing to stop sexual abuse for 32 years

By Angela Underwood | Jun 23, 2018

There is no excuse for the sexual abuse in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), according to two GOP lawmakers, who said they are outraged by what can only be seen as a cover-up.

Lawmakers hear details of rampant sex abuse at Chicago Public Schools

By Angela Underwood | Jun 21, 2018

Morgan Aranda and Tamara Reed, who said they were sexually abused while students at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), poured their hearts out at the Joint Elementary and Secondary Hearing Wednesday.

Fate of Law Enforcement Gang Database Acts up in the air

By Angela Underwood | Jun 20, 2018

SB275, also known as the Law Enforcement Gang Database Act, passed the Senate with a vote of 30-19 on May 31, but then was left to linger as Illinois' spring legislative session came to an end.

From Chambana Sun

Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group touts 'groundbreaking' legislation

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

After 17 meetings, the Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group is setting new standards for state-funded schools.

From Prairie State Wire

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than ever.

Harris ends legislative session on another high note

By Angela Underwood | Jun 12, 2018

Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) pointed out one last positive about the Prairie State.

GOP lawmakers make it clear badmouthing president not OK on House floor

By Angela Underwood | Jun 12, 2018

No matter who the leader of the free world may be, three GOP lawmakers made it clear disrespecting the president of the United States is not OK.

From Rock Island Today

Despite GOP's concerns, gun bill passes Senate

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline) rose during the May 30 Senate floor debate and argued against a firearm bill.

From Prairie State Wire

Medical cannabis for short-term pain is questionable, some GOP lawmakers insist

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A bill allowing for temporary access to medical cannabis in order to battle the opioid epidemic is in the hands of the governor.

From SE Illinois News

Righter and House GOP members question Firearms Restraining Order Act

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and some state representatives had a slew questions during a new firearm act debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite GOP concerns, graduate research assistants one step closer to being able to unionize

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A bill to amend the Illinois Labor Relations Act to allow graduate research assistants to unionize concerned three GOP lawmakers during the May 30 House floor debate.

Phillips suggests making Chicago its own state

By Angela Underwood | Jun 5, 2018

Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston) said Chicago should be its own state.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite Senate raving about $38.5 billion bipartisan budget for FY2019, the numbers don't add up

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

The $38.5 billion budget passed without a revenue estimate is not what it seems.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP fails to keep vetoed bill from going back to governor's desk

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A bill vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be going back to his desk.

From Prairie State Wire

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.