Dupage Policy Journal

From Prairie State Wire

Ives foretells bleak bankruptcy future for Illinois municipalities

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

What is most important, your job, your home or your pension asked Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton).

Nybo bill to adjust audit periods for political committees clears Senate

By Angela Underwood | May 8, 2018

Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) wants to make sure Illinois political committees are ready for the November general election.

From Prairie State Wire

1115 Medicaid waiver will help launch 10 health care initiatives, Rauner says

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Gov. Bruce Rauner said Illinois will be the national leader in mental health services.

From Prairie State Wire

Ives fights for school debt transparency bill

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) gave it her best shot to create the School District Debt Control and Taxpayer Protection Act during House debate April 27.

From North Cook News

House bill to create female-based council raises questions from GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill to form a female-based council to provide research support and public policy on issues affecting females had three GOP lawmakers questioning how such an assembly deals with abortion law and gender definition and equality.

From North Cook News

Breen balks at allowing liquor zoning exemptions for Chicago

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Zoning exemptions for Chicago are par for the course, Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) said during House debate April 24 regarding HB5612, sponsored by Rep. Gregory Harris (D-Chicago).

From Prairie State Wire

Olsen upset by absence of Medicaid officials at hearing on disbursement of funds

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Rep. David Olsen (R-Downers Grove) was unable to question Medicaid officials about their failure to provide services with $300 million they were allotted because they failed to show up at the April 30 House Appropriations Human Services Committee hearing.

From Prairie State Wire

House approves bill banning state agencies from paying bonuses to non-union workers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) would bar state agencies from paying bonuses to non-union members or non-union contractors, and only allow state agency staffers to see extra pay.

GOP lawmakers question tax implications of creating urban agriculture zones

By Angela Underwood | May 7, 2018

Is creating an urban agriculture zone (UAZ) just a way to get another tax break? That question was on three Republican lawmaker’s minds at the April 25 House floor debate when HB3418 was introduced by sponsor Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago).

Dems' lowest bidder small business bill fails

By Angela Underwood | May 7, 2018

A lowest-bidder for small business bill failed by four votes at the April 27 House floor debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Ford pulls 'Homeless Bill of Rights' after opponents question bill's mandates

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A proposed Homeless Bill of Rights was shot down in the House because of the many mandates it would impose on local government.

From Prairie State Wire

Security issues help sink Welch bill on releasing sales tax data

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A Democrat-sponsored bill that would allow the state to release a business' confidential sales tax data was rejected by the House last week.

From Prairie State Wire

Spain proposal would consolidate police, fire pension funds

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Declining asset to accountability ratios, employer contributions and skyrocketing unfunded liability could be alleviated by consolidating downstate police and firefighter pension funds, according to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).

From Peoria Standard

Hammond calls rebate-card restrictions an added burden on retailers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Proposed legislation that would make Illinois the first state to regulate retail business rebates was seen as a restraint that would drive business out of state, according to Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb).

From Will County Gazette

Durkin questions House priorities during debate over ivory trafficking

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) told his peers last week that criminal penalty legislation should take precedent over restrictive wildlife rules.

From Prairie State Wire

Criminal penalty bills killed by Dems keeps GOP lawmakers from considering a prisoners right to vote measure

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A prisoner's right to vote should not trump criminal penalty enhancement legislation, according to GOP lawmakers.

From Prairie State Wire

Senate OKs $800 million in raises for health care workers while state is billions of dollars in debt

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

With billions of dollars in unpaid bills, and CNN claiming Illinois could become America’s first ‘junk’ state, the Senate passed a $819 million bill to increase employee wages.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP legislators say health care bill would restrict governor

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

GOP lawmakers fought against a Democratic sponsored bill that would tie the hands of Gov. Bruce Rauner in applying for federal waivers regarding health care coverage.

From Chicago City Wire

GOP lawmakers say Ford bill amounts to another mandate cash-strapped schools do not need

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

GOP lawmakers said another Democrat mandate on education could cause further financial hardship on already cash-strapped school districts during House floor debate April 20.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP lawmakers demand budget revenue estimate from Democrats

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

GOP legislative leaders want a budget revenue estimate introduced and certified by the Democrats now.