Recent News About Associated Press
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Holiday scratch-offs are no gift to Illinois schools
Some states promote holiday scratchers as a way to help schools, but in Illinois that claim would land you on the naughty list. -
Illinois state lawmakers pass $1,600 pay raise for themselves
The Illinois General Assembly sent $85 billion in proposed spending to Gov J.B. Pritzker’s desk in a matter of days. That package included tax hikes on ordinary Illinoisans and pay raises for all state lawmakers. -
Hog-tied: Illinois state law not equipped to address local governments’ pension problems
Avenues for state oversight for cities with financial difficulties have limited utility in the face of massive pension debt and have almost never been invoked since Springfield passed them into law in 1990. -
Your office March Madness pool is illegal, but these bills could change that
The illicit practice of gambling on sports in Illinois is enormously popular – and that might help spur change. -
Life after the Chicago Bears: Ex-players have collected $12.8M in Workers' Comp since 2000
Former Bears running back Matt Forte racked up $43 million in pay before retiring after the 2017-18 season at age 32 because of knee injuries. Now, Forte is trying to get money for those injuries through the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act. -
While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned April 11 without passing a balanced budget or tackling essential reforms to save the state from financial ruin. -
'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. -
Republican election judge, 88, accused of voter fraud
ALTON – A Madison County Republican election judge is facing felony charges of voter fraud after she allegedly mailed in a ballot belonging to her dead husband. -
Hillary Clinton not qualified to be President
Hillary has been in politics, with Bill for more than 30 years. There is no way in this world that her claims of being unable to recall some of the questions she was asked by the FBI can be true. -
Landmark state report lights path toward lowering Illinois property taxes
Absurdly high property taxes demand bold reforms from Illinois lawmakers. New recommendations from a state task force show exactly what kind. -
Illinois Supreme Court spokesperson Tybor dies at 68
"My colleagues and I are deeply saddened by Joe’s passing," said Chief Justice Rita B. Garman. "He was truly dedicated to his role as the voice of the Illinois Supreme Court, and we watched in awe as he continued to carry out his duties even as he fought his illness." -
Perils of running for retention: 60 percent threshold can make sitting judges vulnerable
The campaign to remove Justice Lloyd Karmeier from office in November 2014 was fierce, expensive, and relatively brief, but mostly it proved how vulnerable sitting judges can be when it comes time for voters to renew their contracts. -
Metro-East marijuana will have Colorado flavor; One problem for license holders is tiny market
Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) -
Karmeier sworn-in to second term; Retained with 60.77 percent
Rarick (left) and KarmeierIllinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier was sworn in to a second 10-year term on Dec. 1 by former Justice Philip Rarick during a ceremony at the Washington County Judicial Center in Nashville.In spite of a last minute, $2 million negative attack, Karmeier prevailed in the Nov. 4 general election.He was retained with 60.77 percent of the vote total, according to final -
Federal judge: Pensions not as protected as you think
Contrary to popular belief, government-worker pensions are not untouchable, at least according to the federal courts. -
One in every 445 Madison County households in foreclosure
One in every 445 Madison County households and one in every 484 St. Clair County households are in some stage of foreclosure, according to the website Realtytrac.com which provides foreclosure statistics nationwide.