Dupage Policy Journal

Durkin's resolution to dedicate Brooks Tonn bridge clears House: 'He fought a courageous battle' with cancer

By Savannah Howe | May 26, 2021

For three years, the 47th Street bridge over I-294 has been decorated with blue and yellow cups reading "Brooks Strong." That bridge has long been informally dedicated to Brooks Edwin Tonn, a 10-year-old Hinsdale boy who lost his battle with a rare form of cancer in 2017.

Curran calls for ethics reform: 'We need to restore the public's trust'

By Savannah Howe | May 26, 2021

Illinois Republicans have created a bill to counter a Democratic ethics bill that the GOP feels is a weak attempt at addressing the state's need for ethics reform.

Durkin frustrated with Pritzker: 'Republicans are not part of any map-drawing process'

By Savannah Howe | May 22, 2021

A meeting was held late last month between House Republican Leader Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge), Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich), Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Democratic leaders.

Mazzochi calls for end to 5G Bill: This bill has brought 'evisceration of local control'

By Savannah Howe | May 22, 2021

State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont) is happy to see the sunset approaching on 5G wireless legislation marked as Senate Bill 1451.

Downers Grove district mulls if parents should be notified if students are surveyed on political, sexual, mental health matters

By Savannah Howe | May 12, 2021

Community High School District 99 in Downers Grove is wondering whether or not it should notify parents if their children are going to be asked highly sensitive questions in school.

Kinzinger targeted in resolution to condemn Republicans who supported Trump's 'unconstitutional' impeachment

By Savannah Howe | May 9, 2021

The Republican Party has started its search for GOP legislators who supported the impeachment of former President Donald Trump, and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) is on the list.

Podcast cites Hastert as reason to keep lawmakers from trading stocks: "How did he get rich?'

By Savannah Howe | May 3, 2021

More light is being shed on the insider trading in Congress and how lawmakers' net worth is skyrocketing while in office.

Durkin on LaSalle COVID outbreak: Pritzker's 'lack of oversight and his agency's incompetence created this crisis'

By Savannah Howe | May 3, 2021

An inspector general report detailing the leadership shortcomings that led to COVID-19 claiming 36 lives at the LaSalle Veterans Home last year was released last week, and lawmakers are disappointed with Pritzker and his administration.

Activists continue to call for ethics reform after Madigan steps down

By Savannah Howe | Apr 29, 2021

After the eight-year Commonwealth Edison bribery scheme that showed millions in bribery for legislative benefits and sharp increases to Illinois consumers' electric rates was uncovered, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest-standing House Speaker in American history, stepped down.

Naperville's Sommers on bipartisanship: Common ground is important

By Savannah Howe | Apr 27, 2021

Mike Sommers, a Naperville native and current CEO/President of the American Petroleum Institute, says that if there could be only one takeaway from 2020, it should be how essential the oil, gas and petrochemical industry is.

Emerson: Glen Ellyn District 41 board removed 2 days of learning 'right on cue after the election'

By Savannah Howe | Apr 24, 2021

A 2021 Glen Ellyn school board candidate who lost her bid alleged that education officials approved a change in the district calendar without any public input.

In defeat, Emerson says Glen Ellyn school board bid 'shed some light' on issues within district

By Savannah Howe | Apr 23, 2021

Despite losing the Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 school board election in April, Abigail Emerson intends to stay involved and stay informed.

DuPage County redistricting member says available mapping data 'disproportionately hurts minorities'

By Savannah Howe | Apr 21, 2021

The DuPage County Redistricting Committee met earlier this month, where DuPage County District 6 board member James Zay said that, while the statewide remapping effort is more about Senate and House districts than county board districts, he is hesitant to use the American Community Survey (ACS) as suggested.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois voters shoot down Fair Tax proposal

By Savannah Howe | 5 years ago

Illinois voters rejected a progressive income tax amendment that was criticized for having potentially devastating impacts on the state's taxpayers by removing the flat tax rate, skyrocket small business taxes by 47% and allow the possibility of taxing retirees.