Illinois House passes bill requiring schools to include LGBTQ+ individuals in curriculum
By Brandi Courtois, Staff Writer
March 14, 2019
Filed under Latest News, News Briefs, State
SPRINGFIELD- The Illinois House passed a bill Wednesday which would require public schools to include lessons on prominent LGBTQ+ figures in history. House Bill 246, also called the Inclusive Curriculum bill, would go into effect July 1, 2020.
Invoking the Great Depression, Pritzker delivers first budget proposal amid $3.2 billion deficit
By Dan Petrella and Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune
February 20, 2019
Filed under State
Comparing Illinois' financial morass to the challenges the state faced during the Great Depression, Gov. J.B. Pritzker used his first budget address Wednesday to lay out the initial stages of a multiyear road map that is ultimately dependent upon voters approving a graduated income tax.
State Democratic leader seeks more candidates to ride ‘blue wave’
By Lenore Sobota, The Pantagraph
February 19, 2019
Filed under State
After a “blue wave” that swept many Democrats into Congress and governorships — including J.B. Pritzker in Illinois — the new leader of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association is looking for stronger county organizations and more Democratic candidates to keep the momentum going.
6 dead, including shooter, and 5 officers wounded in attack at Aurora manufacturing firm
By Chicago Tribune
February 15, 2019
Filed under State
Six people, including a gunman, died in a shooting at a manufacturing firm in a Chicago suburb Friday afternoon, and five officers were struck by gunfire, officials said Friday.
Polar bears at the zoo will love the arctic weather, but other Chicago animals could face fight for survival
By John Keilman, Chicago Tribune
January 29, 2019
Filed under State
The brutal cold expected to descend upon Chicago this week could be deadly for many animals that live outdoors, but experts say it's likely that the populations of everything from stray cats to stink bugs will escape lasting damage.
Patti Blagojevich ‘speechless’ convicted chicago cop’s sentence is shorter than her husband’s, sends flare to Trump on social media
By Lisa Donovan, Chicago Tribune
January 22, 2019
Filed under State
Patti Blagojevich compared on social media Friday the controversial sentencing of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke with the lengthier prison sentence given to her husband, imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Pritzker inaugurated as Illinois governor, cementing Democrats’ control of state government
By Mike Riopell, Chicago Tribune
January 14, 2019
Filed under Latest News, State
Democrat J.B. Pritzker became Illinois' 43rd governor Monday, acknowledging the challenges the state faces and saying "our abdication of responsibility must end."
Lawmakers likely to let Pritzker give agency heads 15 pay raises, replace Illinois Tollway board members
By Mike Riopell, Chicago Tribune
January 7, 2019
Filed under Editor's Picks, State
"Many critical positions -- including those that protect our safety and security -- no longer have competitive salaries, and we are moving to bring them in line with their peers around the country to attract talent," Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said in a statement.
Dick Durbin says he’s running for Senate re-election in 2020, unofficially
By Niels Lesniewski, CQ-Roll Call
January 5, 2019
Filed under State
"I'm raising money and trying to lose a few pounds," Durbin said in the interview. "And that's a good indicator that I'm looking forward to 2020."
Postal Service to suspend delivery Wednesday as part of National Day of Mourning for Bush
By By WGN-TV, Chicago
December 4, 2018
Filed under State
The United States Postal Service will suspend service on Wednesday, Dec. 5 as part of the National Day of Mourning for former President George H.W. Bush.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner concedes to Democrat J.B. Pritzker in Illinois governor race
By Mike Riopell, Stacy St. Clair and Jeff Coen, Chicago Tribune
November 6, 2018
Filed under State
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has conceded his re-election bid to billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker, the Hyatt hotel heir's victory likely putting his party in near total control of state government by limiting the governor to a single term.
Candidates for Illinois governor are split over marijuana legalization despite popular support
By Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune
October 25, 2018
Filed under State
In supporting marijuana legalization, Illinois gubernatorial challenger J.B. Pritzker could usher in a change that affects everything from criminal justice to public health to the economy if he's elected. In taking a decidedly more skeptical view, incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner may appeal to his base...
