Illinois General Assembly
State Government: Elected Officials | State Legislative Bodies
Recent News About Illinois General Assembly
-
No exit strategy from Illinois budget standoff
Taxpayers must be vigilant in holding members of the Illinois General Assembly accountable, especially at this unprecedented time without a state budget and as we approach the new fiscal year. Now is the time that legislators could propose the most dangerous solutions to the state’s financial crises, including hiking the state income tax or imposing a new, devastating income tax on retirement benefits. -
I-LAW hosts lawsuit reform rally in Springfield; ITLA responds that lawsuit abuse is not a problem
Legal reform supporters gathered in Springfield today to lobby legislators in support of Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal to stop "venue shopping." -
TUA: Illinois taxpayers pay exponentially more than 'multi-millionaire pensioners' into SERS
For every dollar that an employee enrolled in the State Employee Retirement System (SERS) pays into their own retirement fund, taxpayers are forced to pay $6.78, according to analysis conducted by a taxpayers' watchdog group. -
Court: No back pay without appropriation; Ruling nixes decision by arbitrator, lower courts
SPRINGFIELD — Reversing two lower courts and an arbitrator, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday ruled the state is not on the hook for back-pay raises to some 24,000 employees unless the General Assembly passes an appropriation. -
Rauner’s proposed bill would give the governor the ability to balance the state’s budget
In his recent budget proposal, Gov. Bruce Rauner asked the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Unbalanced Budget Response Act, a bill that would temporarily allow the governor to reduce certain state spending and transfer certain state funds to balance the budget. -
State not paying out on auto accident claims; State of affairs embarrassing, lawmakers say
SPRINGFIELD — Been in accident with a state-owned vehicle and not at fault? -
Rauner-backed ideas draw some poll support; Experts: ‘Right-to-work’ numbers somewhat surprising
SPRINGFIELD — Three of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s agenda items have traction with voters, at least according to polling data released Wednesday by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. -
Haine and Haida among top IMRF beneficiaries in state; Though adequately funded, critic says pension system 'just as efficient at stealing taxpayer wealth'
The top Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) beneficiaries in Madison and St. Clair counties are among the state's highest paid. And both of them - a lawmaker and a judge - are accruing benefits in other pension systems that will provide even more tax payer-supported income for life when they retire a second time. -
Taxpayers' advocate trounces Illinois Teachers Retirement System: 'Nothing compares to its fraud, waste and abuse'
Former O'Fallon Township High School Superintendent Russell Clover who earns $185,465 in retirement is among the highest paid beneficiaries of the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), according to the Taxpayers United of America (TUA). -
State considering lump-sum pension buyouts; But lawmakers say proposals in very early stages
SPRINGFIELD —Lawmakers are in very early talks about giving retired government workers a choice much like lottery winners: Collect the pension benefits owed to them over several years, or cash out immediately but with a smaller lump sum. -
Government-worker pensions take away funding meant for students
Illinois’ growing pension costs – not the state budget gridlock – are taking away funding for essential government services, such as education. -
Cities, towns seek greater power to act; But Municipal League effort may face tough road
SPRINGFIELD — In the midst of Illinois budget crisis, Illinois’ 1,300 cities, towns and villages are seeking greater freedom to act on their own. -
Durkin: Impasse can be broken, work comp system a start
SPRINGFIELD — House Minority Leader Jim Durkin on Monday suggested the workers’ compensation system might be the point where Republicans and Democrats get together and start breaking the months-long impasse that has left Illinois without a budget. -
Rauner to lawmakers: Make a choice; Democratic leaders say little has changed
SPRINGFIELD — Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner used his annual budget address Wednesday to put two choices before legislative Democrats who control both houses of the state legislature: The General Assembly can grant him, the state’s chief executive, the authority to make the cuts that will allow Illinois to spend what it’s bringing in, about $32.8 billion Or, Rauner said, lawmakers can agree to some of what he considers essential economic and political reforms and he’ll work with them on a combin -
IHA: Budget stalemate jeopardizing access to healthcare
IHA: We urge the Governor and General Assembly to work together and with the hospital community on meaningful and workable solutions to strengthen healthcare, including the Medicaid program. -
Caterpillar CEO's warnings 4 years later: Illinois on downward slide as predicted
Illinois politicians ignored Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman’s 2012 plea for pro-growth reforms, and Illinois is the only state in the region to have lost manufacturing jobs on net over the last four years. -
Brawl over bargaining bill resumes; With no AFSCME contract, stakes are high
SPRINGFIELD — The hotly disputed interest arbitration or “no strike-no lockout” bill is back in play in the state Capitol. While Gov. Bruce Rauner, R-Winnetka, argues the measure is an expensive, taxpayer-funded gift to organized labor that Illinois can’t afford, Democratic proponents say the bill would forestall a work stoppage and protect state workers and services. -
Obama calls for building better politics; GOP focuses on his remarks on redistricting
SPRINGFIELD — Democrats and Republicans alike found things to cheer about, usually separately but occasionally together, in an hour-long Statehouse speech by President Barack Obama on Wednesday. -
Rauner to Dems: Work with me or pass tax hike
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday evening closed out a tour of speeches to civic groups around the state with an often-repeated message for Democrats: Work with him on what he considers reforms or pass a tax hike and wear the blame for it. -
Funding shortfalls for higher ed have more to do with bloated pensions and admin costs, not lack of budget, report says
Those who blame the state's higher education funding shortfalls on Springfield gridlock should focus on the real causes of the crisis: skyrocketing pensions, bloated administrative costs and soaring tuition and fees for students, according to the co-author of a recent study.