Illinois General Assembly
State Government: Elected Officials | State Legislative Bodies
Recent News About Illinois General Assembly
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Illinois governor vetoes bill that would have given more benefits to SURS employees who've already cashed in
SPRINGFIELD—Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed legislation July 29, that would have allowed public university employees who are part of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) to obtain additional health benefits without making further contributions to the retirement system after they returned to teaching. -
Fifth District affirms approval of Caseyville solid waste transfer station
The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed the Village of Caseyville’s approval of a solid waste transfer station despite objections from Roxana Landfill Inc. and Fairmont City. -
Analysis shows Illinois lawmakers are among best paid in country; Illinois Policy Institute says it's time they set example, cut back
CHICAGO - A new report from the Illinois Policy Institute says that taxpayers are spending $32 million per year in "generous" compensation for lawmakers including salaries, per diem payments, mileage reimbursements, health care, dental insurance, pay for committee and leadership roles and pensions. -
Illinois diverts federal funds from teachers to TRS
Illinois’ most impoverished school districts have lost millions of dollars to a scheme intended to shore up the state’s monumentally underfunded teacher pension reserve. -
Task force finds problem of rising court costs
A new report shows that court costs have escalated across the state, creating a burden on residents that use the systems. -
GOP lawmakers file resolution to remove Mautino amidst state, federal investigations
CHICAGO – Illinois lawmakers want to remove the state’s auditor general from office as federal and state probes continue into the former state representative's questionable spending of campaign finances. -
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. -
Governor: Democrats needs to pass stopgap funding and school bill
Democrat leaders who control the General Assembly made it clear they will not take any major action on balancing our budget or passing real reforms until after the General Election in November. -
Former Gov. Edgar's 'compromise' pension plan led to Illinois fiscal crisis
Under former Gov. Jim Edgar’s pension ramp, unfunded pension liabilities have increased nearly $100 billion despite taxpayers contributing $16.4 billion more to the five state-run pension systems than required under the Edgar plan. -
Mautino pleads the Fifth; asks State Board of Elections for more time to provide campaign details
Following months of intense scrutiny and public outcry over his reluctance to answer questions about his suspicious campaign reporting, Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent to avoid incriminating himself amid an ongoing federal investigation. -
Years of deadbeat Illinois: State has history of shortchanging social service providers
For years, Illinois lawmakers have prioritized government-worker pay and benefits over social services. Between 2000 and 2015, contributions to Illinois state-worker pension funds shot up 586 percent, while state payments for human services increased by only 10 percent. -
GOP lawmakers ask Mautino to step down while investigations proceed; McCarter says vote to confirm auditor general was 'mistake'
SPRINGFIELD — Investigations into Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino’s campaign spending by both state and federal agencies has a group of lawmakers calling for him to step down at least until the inquiry is completed. -
Economic conditions and other causes have led to 'huge domestic migration,' Illinois Policy Institute says
Chicago's population declined by 2,890 during the 12-month period, the second worst in the nation. Chicago ranked behind Detroit, which sustained a population decline 3,107, according to the U.S. Census data. -
Group connected to Madigan, Emanuel sues to block redistricting amendment from ballot
An attorney connected to powerful Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan has filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court to block a referendum from landing on the ballot, which would ask Illinois voters to reform the way Illinois creates the legislative districts from which state lawmakers are elected. -
Madigan muzzles Illinoisans on term limits
Term limits aren’t just a cosmetic change. They aren’t a feel-good Coke commercial. They’re a powerful reform that can make Illinois democracy work again -
Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burden
Illinois has the most units of local government of any state in the country. -
Illinois lawmaker: Municipal bankruptcy may not be magic bullet but it's another 'tool in toolbox' for pension crisis
CHICAGO - In Illinois, increasing pension obligations are consuming more of its taxpayers’ dollars, pushing cities and towns to cut core services and raise property taxes just to keep up with the payments, policy experts say. -
No bills for this Bill
Ah, the life of a legislator! -
Will Lisa Madigan shut down Illinois government?
Should lawmakers choose to pass a budget, Madigan and Cullerton’s law prohibits year-to-year cuts to lawmaker salaries and operating expenses. No other office or agency of state government has this sort of privilege. -
Rep. Kay calls for embattled Auditor General to resign
SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon) said that it's time for the embattled Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino to step down in light of his "dogged refusal to answer questions" about prior campaign finances.