Illinois General Assembly
State Government: Elected Officials | State Legislative Bodies
Recent News About Illinois General Assembly
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Obama's General Assembly visit likely to be about budget impasse and legacy, supporter Coleman says
As a long-time supporter of the current U.S. president, Ray Coleman of East St. Louis said that Barack Obama will have plenty to reflect upon during his speech before the Illinois General Assembly this week. -
Munger: State debt spiraling; Unpaid bills might hit $10 billion to $12 billion
SPRINGFIELD — Unless something changes soon, Illinois is heading $6.2 billion deeper into debt and taxpayers will remain on the hook, state Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger said Tuesday. -
Rauner softens tone but stays with agenda; Democrats say the budget remains their priority
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner hammered away Wednesday on the need for fundamental change in the way Illinois operates, while Democratic leaders blamed Rauner for the state not yet having a budget. -
Judge slaps restraining order on access to Topinka campaign money amid lawsuit by late comptroller's son
The campaign funds of the late Judy Baar Topinka are now formally frozen, thanks to an order issued Jan. 22 in Cook County Circuit Court. -
Why a Smart Meter delay (op-out) is Important for your family’s health, security, and privacy
Smart Meters are coming to your home and business soon, if you have not already had ComEd replace analog meters with Smart Meters in your community. -
GOP seeks state control of Chicago schools; Democrats say plan’s unfair and a non-starter
SPRINGFIELD — Republicans on Wednesday announced a plan to put the financially floundering Chicago Public Schools system under state control and open the option of bankruptcy as a possible financial solution. Democratic response was swift, in opposition and included Senate President John Cullerton saying, “This is not going to happen.” Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno and House GOP Leader Jim Durkin unveiled the plan in Chicago, saying the CPS crisis was only deepening and both stude -
Obama calls on state lawmakers to end partisan politics and make room for real change
Obama Speech President Barack Obama called for an end to partisan politics during a speech to the Illinois General Assembly on Feb 10. -
Illinois to issue $500M in bonds, continues to pay highest borrowing rate of all 50 states
Illinois’ monthslong budget gridlock, $111 billion in government-worker pension debt, and more than a decade of unbalanced budgets have resulted in credit downgrades for Illinois and the highest borrowing costs of any state in the nation. -
Rep. Kay supports consolidation concepts laid out in state report
Illinois State Representative Dwight Kay told the Madison County Record that he supports consolidation recommendation put forth by the state’s Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force. -
Illinois law granting hospitals tax exemption struck down by appellate court as unconstitutional
A state appellate panel has struck down an Illinois law providing tax exemptions to hospitals, saying lawmakers erred under the state constitution in believing hospitals should be able to avoid paying property taxes because they may provide enough benefits to their communities to offset the millions of dollars in tax revenue lost to cities, counties, school districts and other local property tax-collecting entities. On Jan. 5, a three-justice panel of the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Cour -
237 new Illinois laws take effect Jan. 1
237 new Illinois laws address topics that range from naming a state pie to divorce law to bobcat hunting. -
DraftKings says game still on in Illinois; Attorney: Company will go to court in gaming dispute
SPRINGFIELD — Despite an opinion by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan that daily fantasy sports contests such as those offered by DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal gambling under state law, one of the big providers said it intends to keep offering the games in Illinois. DraftKings’ attorney late Wednesday issued a statement saying the company disagrees with the attorney general and believes “daily fantasy sports, which Illinois residents have been playing for years, are lawful under state -
House OKs $3B for locals, lottery winners; Larger state budget question remains unresolved
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois remains without an overall budget, but the Illinois House on Wednesday took action to release some money to local governments and pay lottery winners. All told, Senate Bill 2039 authorizes about $3 billion in spending. -
Unemployment bill easily clears Illinois House
SPRINGFIELD — Without rancor, the Illinois House on Wednesday passed legislation to tune up the state’s unemployment insurance program. The legislation sponsored by Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Belleville, eliminates the “Social Security offset” in that it allows recently separated workers eligible for Social Security to receive full unemployment insurance benefits. -
Law enforcement now seizes more property from citizens than burglars
U.S. law enforcement took in more than $5 billion from the American public in 2014 through asset forfeiture, compared to the $3.5 billion lost nationally to burglary. -
LeChien: State must pay insurance contributions; Criticizes Springfield’s 'fiddle while burning posture'
SPRINGFIELD — St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert LeChien has ordered the state to pay its health insurance contributions for home health care workers. The request for that order was filed earlier in November by the union that represents the workers, SEIU Healthcare Illinois and Indiana. -
Majority of Illinois Independents in favor of government spending cuts, poll says
As Illinois lawmakers strive to solve the state budget impasse, Illinoisans have spoken out loud and clear. In a recent poll released by Americans for Prosperity Illinois, 62 percent of Independents are in favor of spending cuts, while a mere 9 percent support taxes hikes. -
Task force drafting downsizing plan; Group aims at state's glut of governments
SPRINGFIELD — A task force aimed at the Illinois local government glut began shaping its report to the governor and legislature Thursday as members approved nine proposals.Most of the items passed with little or no opposition, but a handful are expected to draw debate should they make into bill form and be considered by the General Assembly. -
Critic calls CUB an appendage of power structure; State lawmaker says it's the job of legislators to protect citizens
While the Citizens Utility Board may be prohibited by law from backing candidates for public office, there's no law barring CUB leaders from backing politicians. -
Electricity vendor tells state to pay up; Also, counseling vendor terminates contracts
SPRINGFIELD — Another vendor says it may have to cut off service to the state of Illinois because the state’s inability to pay its bills is threatening the vendor’s ability to continue doing business. In a disconnection-warning letter dated Oct. 29, Southwestern Electric Cooperative Inc. told the state it is behind on its accounts. “As a not-for-profit utility, Southwestern … relies on its members to pay their bill so we, in turn, can pay our bills and provide power to 22,000 homes, hospitals,