Karen Kidd News
Most write-in races unsuccessful, St. Clair County Clerk says
Write-in candidates, including those in April's consolidated elections, have some unusual hurdles to clear in Illinois that make winning their races difficult, St. Clair County Clerk Thomas Holbrook said.
AFSCME pitting members against taxpayers in possible strike, think tank attorney says
CHICAGO – The largest public employee union in Illinois is exaggerating its support and pitting members against taxpayers in its announced willingness to strike, a conservative think tank attorney said during a recent interview.
Tort reform needs to be part of 'grand bargain,' advocate says
SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner urged lawmakers on Wednesday to reach a budget deal that includes cost-saving system reforms as well as new taxes, a legal reform advocate said there also needs to be tort reform.
'Loser pays' standard from Idaho likely wouldn't make it in Illinois Supreme Court, litigation reformer says
SPRINGFIELD – A new "loser pays" standard set down by the Idaho Supreme Court last fall, and now challenged by a bill in that state's Legislature, likely would never fly in Illinois courts, a litigation reform advocate said during a recent interview.
'Obama Phenomenon' author says he hopes new title will be call to action
The unveiling later this month of the cover of the latest book by author and political consultant Ray Coleman, "Have God Will Travel," is part of a series he envisioned almost 30 years ago, Coleman said during a recent interview.
Senate adopts leadership term limits while House again adopts 'Madigan's rules'
SPRINGFIELD – Newly adopted term limits for the Illinois Senate president and minority leader were approved on the new General Assembly's first day earlier this month, but any kind of similar proposal for leaders in the lower chamber will not likely advance under "Madigan's rules."
Next talc-cancer case scheduled in St. Louis Feb. 6; Trial set after J&J loses jurisdictional appeal
ST. LOUIS – The latest lawsuit in the nation's controversial talc-related litigation center is set to begin in St. Louis next month with more than 60 women and family members seeking damages against New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson.Swann vs Johnson & Johnson et.
Candidate for Belleville mayor taking on incumbent because he's tired of 'lack of leadership'
BELLEVILLE – Belleville City Clerk Dallas B. Cook says he wants to be mayor because he's sick and tired of Mark Eckert being mayor.
Taxpayers United of America says Madigan likely won't step down despite petition
SPRINGFIELD (Madison - St. Clair Record) – The number of signatures is growing on a petition urging Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to step down but Taxpayers United of America's executive director says he's very realistic about the chances Madigan will do that.
Recent expansion latest in firm's growth, HeplerBroom spokeswoman says
EDWARDSVILLE – A locally based Midwest litigation firm's recent growth in its Chicago-area offices likely presages future expansion to serve its clients, a spokeswoman said during a recent interview.
Rock County Dem official says voter suppression allegations against IOP based on anecdotal information
ROCK ISLAND – A conservative group's decision not to identify itself on vote-by-mail applications, at least in part, led to the state Attorney General's investigation into how those applications have been turned in, a spokesperson for the AG's office stated.
Conservative group alleges AG Madigan harassment
ROCK ISLAND – A conservative group accused of voter suppression has countered with its own claims that county Democrats and the state Attorney General's office are suppressing voter turnout and harassing its vote-by-mail program volunteers.
Political consultant at odds with local party, postures as Independent Democrat in St. Clair County
Author and political consultant Ray Coleman of Belleville considers himself an Independent Democrat for the upcoming presidential election, though he harbors concerns about local politicians on both sides of the spectrum.
Prenzler again calls out opponent over issue of credit card use
Madison County Treasurer and Republican county board chairman candidate Kurt Prenzler said that stricter oversight is needed to cure a "culture of credit card abuse" that is ailing county government.
Streator man says Mautino probes began with his decision to speak out
Despite a federal criminal investigation and state lawmakers continually calling on Illinois's embattled Auditor General Frank Mautino to answer questions about prior campaign expenditures, the only person who has filed a complaint said he feels alone.
Independent candidate says he will appeal judge's decision to remove him from Madison County Board race
TROY – An Independent candidate knocked out of the Madison County Board District 2 race by judge's decision last week said in a recent interview that it isn't over, not yet.
Lebanon senator backs Rauner veto of police and fire pension bill
SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) reacted to Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto last week of a bill that would have given municipalities authority to go against the wishes of its citizens in authorizing new police and fire pension obligations by a resolution, saying he did the right thing.
O'Fallon, Troy registered voter signatures sought for property tax freeze petition
A group interested in saving taxpayers money is looking for at least 1,250 registered voters in O’Fallon and Troy willing to sign a petition supporting property tax freeze, a spokesman for the group said during a recent interview.
Two SIU retirees among top 400 pensioners in the state, report says
Two Edwardsville pensioners, whose combined annual pension is almost $476,000, made the top 400 in Tax Payers United of America's 10th Annual Report of Illinois State Pensions.
Retiring SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute director talks history, state's fiscal crisis and upcoming general election
CARBONDALE – There is no painless fix that will get Illinois out of its fiscal mess any time soon, the retiring director of the Southern Illinois University Paul Simon Public Policy Institute said during a recent interview.