Illinois State Senate
State Government: Elected Officials | State Legislative Bodies
Recent News About Illinois State Senate
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Illinois Senators, caucus advocate for SB 231 education funding reform
SPRINGFIELD – Following the Illinois school funding reform’s recent Senate passage by a healthy margin, State Sens. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and Bill Haine (D-Alton) said they were pleased with the 31-21-3 vote. -
Durbin visits SIUC stumping in support of Supreme Court nominee Garland
CARBONDALE – Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, discussed the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court during a visit to the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Law last week. -
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 -
Chicago alderman saved Trump $11.7 million in property tax appeal scheme
A new report revealed that Klafter & Burke, a property-tax law firm owned by Chicago Alderman Ed Burke, helped Donald Trump cut property taxes on his downtown Chicago hotel by nearly 40 percent over seven years, saving Trump and his investors $11.7 million. -
The SEIU is hurting Illinois caregivers
When the SEIU fails to make caregiver interests a top priority, it’s unsurprising that nearly half of caregivers statewide aren’t union members. Teaming up with lawmakers to require family members to put their loved ones in strangers’ hands to attend an in-person training session is just one example of this. -
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. -
Bill to ban sale of bobcat pelts heads to Illinois Senate
In the midst of the state’s budget, pension and out-migration crises, an Illinois politician has introduced SB 2143 to ban the sale of bobcat pelts, as well as the trapping of these animals. -
New bill would make Illinois gas taxes highest in the nation
A new 30-cent-per-gallon tax hike would make Illinois gas taxes the highest in the nation by far, and pour more money into a broken system. -
I-LAW supports legislation for oversight in asbestos claims; But 'double dipping' law not likely to get chance in Illinois, Akin says
Companies have put billions of dollars into asbestos trust funds that are designed to compensate victims of conditions that have been caused by exposure to asbestos, and due to slack oversight, there are often opportunities for fraud to occur. -
Illinois lawmakers say they're open to some higher education reforms
Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle seem open to at least a few of the reform ideas recently proposed by an Illinois think tank to help reduce higher education costs and make colleges and universities more affordable to students in the state. -
Industry association and lawmakers revive work comp talks; Cullerton and Radogno join SIEA for discussion
An industry lobbying group that wants to make Illinois more business-friendly has met with key legislators in an effort to re-open discussion about workers’ compensation reform. -
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. -
Senate Democrats OK $3.9 billion spending bill; Republicans: Without the cash, it’s a sham
SPRINGFIELD — Senate Democrats on Thursday passed a bill to OK nearly $4 billion in state spending while their GOP colleagues called the effort a hoax on the public and even on the institutions the money is intended to benefit. -
Illinois higher education crisis pushes lawmakers toward compromise
SPRINGFIELD – With the Southern Illinois University (SIU) system on the verge of lowering a budget ax that will slash both jobs and classes, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are vowing to step up efforts to find a solution even as the House adjourned for a four-week break. -
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? -
Higher education officials paint grim picture; Pensions ‘sucking the air’ out of funding, says one
SPRINGFIELD — University presidents and other higher education officials on Thursday told lawmakers they must decide what they want from the state’s colleges and universities.