Mark Fitton News
State employees to keep getting paid; For now, court rulings break in their favor
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
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
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
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
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
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
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, Dems still butting heads; No visible movement despite work Tuesday
Rauner in Belleville Monday.
Dems beat on Rauner’s plans; Workers' comp, budget votes don’t go his way
SPRINGFIELD — Democrats were rough on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s agenda Wednesday.
Rauner stays on stump for 'Turnaround Illinois'; But governor admits not everyone digs his approach
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
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
Rauner delivers State of the State address.