Illinois General Assembly
State Government: Elected Officials | State Legislative Bodies
Recent News About Illinois General Assembly
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Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering?
Illinois House Republicans are out with an independent mapmaking plan. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is on the record saying he’ll reject a legislative map drawn under political influence. The 2020 census is just around the corner, after which Illinois must redraw its district lines. -
State of the state 2019: Past mistakes show path to better future for Illinois
As Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the 101st General Assembly settle into office, they face a daunting task: governing a state with severe fiscal problems, continuing population loss and comparatively lackluster economic growth. -
Another Illinois lawmaker hits the pension lottery
There’s a lot of talk about renewed bipartisanship and a new day in Springfield. Dozens of state lawmakers have already opted out of the pension system. The General Assembly should take the lead and phase out their own defined-benefit system and get to work on a constitutional fix for the rest of Illinois’ pension mess. -
Madigan's power runs deeper than the Speaker vote
Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant. -
Madison County, are you ready for recreational marijuana?
Marijuana use damages youth health. -
Moving company ranks Illinois second in nation for outbound moves
Outbound movers cited lack of jobs as most common reason for leaving Illinois in 2018. Most of those who left earned at least $100,000. -
Lame duck General Assembly pushes for state government pay hikes
In the final hours of the 100th General Assembly, some state lawmakers are pushing to send a bill to incoming Gov. J.B. Pritzker that would give pay raises to state department heads. -
Southwestern Illinois home to 340 pension millionaires
A former Edwardsville university administrator and a retired judge each have collected more than $3 million in pension payments. Too little paid in with too much taken out is the heart of Illinois’ pension crisis. -
Rahm to Springfield: Gas tax need to at least double
Departing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel accelerated calls to boost Illinois’ gas tax to pay for local transportation projects. -
Chicago to state lawmakers: ‘Seize the opportunity’ for gas tax hike
Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is looking to make inroads on an increase in Illinois’ gas tax. -
Outgoing Gov. Rauner decries veto override of damages cap bill, brands it 'invitation' to trial lawyers
Outgoing Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has decried the Illinois legislature's decision to override his veto of a bill greatly increasing the cap on the amount individuals can claim when they sue the state. -
Illinois Supreme Court defends inflated pensions for Chicago union leaders
Once again proving why the state must amend the Illinois Constitution’s pension clause, the court unanimously ruled in favor of a special perk that inflated union leader pensions to nearly three times the pension of the average worker. -
House override spikes Court of Claims cap from $100,000 to $2 million
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a bill that raised the award cap from $100,000 to $2 million for tort cases against the state that are litigated in the Illinois Court of Claims has been overridden. -
Outgoing Sen. Clayborne draws down campaign funds in airfare and hotel expenditures
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator James Clayborne, whose campaign fund held about $200,000 when he announced his retirement, has drained much of that amount on travel. -
Six facts Pritzker can’t ignore when negotiating AFSCME contract
Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker says one of his first legislative priorities is to focus on things that will “lift up the standard of living” for Illinoisans by “putting dollars back in their pockets.” -
More than 19,000 Illinois government retirees receive pensions over $100K
The average six-figure retiree contributed just over $160,000 toward their own pension over the course of their career. -
Second Amendment remains a check on government
On November 6, 67,351 or 67.1 percent of voters approved a non-binding referendum making Madison County a "sanctuary gun county." -
Sad or glad to see Clayborne go?
James Clayborne (D-East St. Louis) has served as an Illinois state senator since 1995. He has served as majority leader since 2009. This year, he decided not to run for re-election and return to private law practice instead. -
As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted
A history of tax hikes to prop up unsustainable spending makes Illinois a frosty climate for small businesses. -
Madison County voters approve Second Amendment sanctuary referendum
Madison County voters overwhelming approved a measure securing it as a 2nd Amendment sanctuary county.