Dupage Policy Journal

From Kane County Reporter

Legislation regarding preschool absenteeism sparks House debate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Yelling echoed in the House chamber during floor debate of HB5771, which would allow for the collection and review of chronic absence data in state block grant funded preschools.

From Prairie State Wire

House backs bill to prohibit governor's office from paying its employees from other agencies' budgets

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The House voted 110-0 on April 19 to approve legislation to end offshore staffing accounts in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office.

After more than four hours of debate, House passes bills covering education, water systems, voter data

By Angela Underwood | Apr 27, 2018

Creating and altering bills on education, public and private water systems, and election data privacy drove the April 19 House floor debate into hours of discussion.

From Rock Island Today

House Republicans blast call center legislation for its anti-business message

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Chad Hays (R-Catlin) said GOP lawmakers would not stand one more day of nonsensical Democrat-sponsored legislation after House floor debate of HB4081 on April 19.

Breen pushing two bills focusing on school financial aid

By Angela Underwood | Apr 24, 2018

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) had a lot to say about educational funding at the April 19 House Revenue and Finance Committee hearing.

From Prairie State Wire

House backs bill allowing medical marijuana to be administered on school grounds

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

GOP lawmakers helped push a bill through the House that allows medical marijuana be administered on school premises.

From Prairie State Wire

House sends 'good' bill changing pawnbroker law back to Senate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) said sending good bills back to the House is nothing new for the Senate during House debate April 17.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP lawmakers love the idea of transparency, but question statewide pension hearing broadcast proposal

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Broadcasting retirement system or pension fund hearings in real time and archiving the recorded video on a website for public access is a great idea, but not necessarily feasible to some GOP lawmakers.

From Prairie State Wire

Serious questions about skirting federal law fails to derail Excellence Fund legislation in House

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

HB4237, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) to alter the Illinois Excellence Fund, would seemingly undermine the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions placed on charitable contributions by the federal government and hamper private scholarship funding donations, according to some GOP lawmakers.

From North Cook News

Bill to extend Illinois Health and Facilities Planning Act clears House despite GOP opposition

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) said the closest thing to eternity here on earth is a government program that ceases to end, like the Illinois Health and Facilities Planning Act.

Curran withstands ribbing from both sides of the aisle during debate of his first bill

By Angela Underwood | Apr 20, 2018

Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) proved he could stand with the best of them.

Nybo speaks out against bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act measure

By Angela Underwood | Apr 20, 2018

Going against some of his GOP peers, Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard) spoke up against bipartisan-sponsored legislation.

From Prairie State Wire

Two GOP press conferences in one day demand end to gerrymandering

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

House Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said gerrymandering must end now.

From Prairie State Wire

McConchie says SB 2670 would put property tax power back in public's hands

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Senate Bill 2670 will provide Illinois residents with the power to help control their property taxes, according to state Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorne Woods).

From Prairie State Wire

GOP Senators say enough is enough with graduated income tax proposal

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Seven Republicans took the podium at an impromptu press conference to reject yet another Democrat imposed tax hike.

From Prairie State Wire

Rep. Spain works with Democrats to stop unfair map redistricting

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Gerrymandering gives way to unfair party control, according to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).

From Chambana Sun

Ives questions racial bias issues raised by proposal aimed at diversifying pension fund management

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) called out Democratic-sponsored legislation that alleges a racial divide in Illinois government.

Senate panel backs plan for property tax exemption for disabled first responders

By Angela Underwood | Apr 17, 2018

All but one member of the Senate Executive Committee lawmaker approved a homestead exemption for disabled first responders at the panel's hearing April 11.

From Prairie State Wire

Lawmakers warn bill requiring pension fund hearings to be broadcast, while admirable, will be a tough sell

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sponsored by Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Champaign), HB4413 mandates retirement system or pension fund hearings be aired in real time and suggests archiving the recorded video on a website for public access.

From Chicago City Wire

Police pension fund changes bring questions from GOP House panel members

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Illinois' budget being depleted deleted daily by the pension crisis had Republicans seriously questioning Democratic-sponsored retirement legislation.