Mark Fitton News

State employees to keep getting paid; For now, court rulings break in their favor

By Mark Fitton |
SPRINGFIELD — A pair of court decisions issued Friday means state Comptroller Leslie Munger can keep meeting the state’s payroll — for now. Munger and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration have argued the state should be allowed to make its regular payroll despite the lack of a state budget.

Rauner challenges Democrats; He says go ahead and pass a tax increase

By Mark Fitton |
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday essentially told legislative Democrats to just do it. If they won’t approve his ideas for “structural reforms,” the governor said, Democrats ought to pass tax increases to pay for the $36 billion budget spending plan they sent him. Rauner and fellow Republicans say the Democratic spending plan — which did not come with a matching plan for revenue — is $4 billion in the red. Rauner, echoing recent remarks by House Minority Leader Jim Durkin of Weste

Most state workers to go unpaid; Judge says no to full wages without a budget

By Mark Fitton |
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger plans to appeal a judge’s ruling that state employees who work during a no-budget shutdown can be paid only minimum federal wage — $7.25 an hour — plus overtime. Munger, R-Lincolnshire, said she was disappointed by and respectfully disagrees with the ruling issued by Judge Diane Joan Larsen on Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court. "My office will soon file an appeal to today's decision,” the comptroller said. Attorney General Lisa Madigan, D-Ch

AG, comptroller to meet in court Tuesday; Each as her own views on state payroll legality

By Mark Fitton |
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Attorney General’s and Comptroller’s Offices will meet in court Tuesday morning in an attempt to find out how much the state can and should pay its employees during a no-budget shutdown. The two constitutional officers have differing opinions on what the law demands and when it will allow payment. Comptroller Leslie Munger, R-Lincolnshire, is asking the court to direct her to make the state’s full payroll, according to a statement from her office Monday. Attorney Ge

High court to hear case vital to Illinois debate; Lake County woman's own case opened the door

By Mark Fitton |
Pamela Harris of Lake County said Tuesday she was thrilled to hear the U.S. Supreme Court would hear the case of Rebecca Friedrichs, a California schoolteacher who doesn’t want to pay mandatory “fair share” dues to a union

Bradley, Rauner continue scrap over staff pay; Democrat says governor’s office disrespecting House

By Mark Fitton |
SPRINGFIELD — A Southern Illinois Democrat and the governor’s office are exchanging words over the administration’s refusal to discuss staff salaries in front of an Illinois House committee. Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, on Tuesday morning ripped Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office for twice refusing to send anyone to testify before the House Revenue and Finance Committee, which Bradley chairs. For its part, the Republican governor’s office says the hearing is a partisan scam and seeks information alrea

Rauner softens stance a bit, but Dems unimpressed

By Mark Fitton |
While Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the bulk of the Legislature’s proposed budget and penned a newspaper editorial, Speaker Michael Madigan announced another whole-House hearing and began laying blame on the governor for an expected government shutdown.

Rauner reveals Round 2 of cuts; State may halt another $420 million in spending

By Mark Fitton |
McCarter

Rauner, Dems still butting heads; No visible movement despite work Tuesday

By Mark Fitton |
Rauner in Belleville Monday.

House passes work comp bill; If it passes Senate, likely faces veto

By Mark Fitton |
Rauner

Deadline’s gone but showdown is on Rauner; Democrats at impasse in capital

By Mark Fitton |
Rauner

Dems beat on Rauner’s plans; Workers' comp, budget votes don’t go his way

By Mark Fitton |
SPRINGFIELD — Democrats were rough on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s agenda Wednesday.

Democrats readying $36 billion budget; GOP say its foes laying same old broken game

By Mark Fitton |
Rauner

House Democrats slap down right-to-work; GOP calls process a sham, political theater

By Mark Fitton |
Hoffman

Madigan sends Rauner a message; GOP steamed, accuses speaker of playing games

By Mark Fitton |
Madigan

Rauner stays on stump for 'Turnaround Illinois'; But governor admits not everyone digs his approach

By Mark Fitton |
RaunerSPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner continued to beat the drum for his “Turnaround Illinois” agenda on Tuesday, pitching it to a group of county officials in downtown Springfield and to printing company employees in Bloomington.Meanwhile, at least one political analyst wonders if Rauner’s drumbeat doesn’t carry its own political risk.Along the way Tuesday, the governor addressed a few questions and

Rauner halts 'fair-share' dues; Order goes out to all state agencies

By Mark Fitton |
RaunerSPRINGFIELD ­— Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday ordered state agencies to stop collecting so-called fair share dues from state employees on behalf of public-sector unions. The governor also announced his office will seek confirmation on the legality of the executive order as quickly as possible from the U.S. Supreme Court. Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb and his colleagues at the Chicago law firm of

Rauner bold in first big speech - And he’s not making up with organized labor

By Mark Fitton |
Rauner delivers State of the State address.

State to publish names of political hires; Rauner: Info available ‘in real time, all the time’

By Mark Fitton |
Rauner

Illinois enters retirement business; Critics question state's money managing skills

By Mark Fitton |
McCarter

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