Democratic Leaders Seek To Dismiss Redistricting Lawsuits
SPRINGFIELD – Lawyers for Illinois’ Democratic legislative leaders last week filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from Republicans and a Mexican American advocacy group regarding newly drawn legislative maps, calling the challenge “purely speculative” until full U.S. Census data is released. The motion, filed Friday, was an expected move following a Wednesday, July 14, […]
Senate Adjourns With No Energy Deal, But Harmon ‘Confident’ One Is Still Near
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate adjourned Tuesday without calling a comprehensive energy regulatory reform package for a vote. After adjournment, Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, made a statement similar to one he made June 1 after the Senate failed to call an energy bill for a vote ahead of the regular session adjournment. “There […]
Deal Reported To Be Near On Energy Overhaul Package
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are staying open for business as they await a possible deal on a sweeping energy proposal that would keep the state’s fleet of nuclear power plants online while providing incentives for development of more wind and solar generation. Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, issued a statement Tuesday saying he had […]
Energy Working Groups Continue Amid New Indictment
SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 50 legislators identifying as the Illinois Legislative Green Caucus signed a letter Wednesday asking leadership to make equity and utility accountability the foundation of an energy overhaul bill expected before the General Assembly adjourns May 31. “For too long, utilities have dictated energy policy in Illinois. It is imperative that this time […]
What’s In Store For Businesses In A Post-COVID Illinois? Legislature’s ‘Four Tops’ Weigh In
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ economy was humming along last winter, a few years removed from the state’s two-year budget impasse in which Illinois’ unpaid bill backlog climbed to nearly $17 billion, and finally experiencing the kind of growth that had eluded the state for years after the Great Recession. But then COVID-19 hit. Gov. JB Pritzker […]
Senate To Begin Redistricting Process
SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois Senate committee will hold its first hearing Wednesday to begin the process of redrawing congressional and state legislative districts in line with the 2020 census, despite the fact that detailed census data will likely be unavailable until September. Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said in an interview that despite the […]
Pandemic, Social Unrest, Statehouse Scandals Top 2020 Stories
SPRINGFIELD – It was a year like no other, and one most Americans would just as soon forget, but 2020 is sure to last in the history books as one of the most tumultuous in modern history. It was a year when face masks and hand sanitizer became ubiquitous items of everyday life and when […]
State Senate GOP Outlines Ethics Package
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Republicans unveiled a package of ethics proposals Thursday which they say is targeted to stop the type of corruption that has led to the indictment of four legislative Democrats in recent months. “Today we’re introducing a legislative package that targets corruption by focusing on two distinct areas: enhancing the state’s ability […]
Illinois Lawmakers Want Support For Agenda Focusing On Racism And Systemic Injustices
Calling out disparities in schools, the economy and the criminal justice system, Black state legislators say they’re demanding support for their forthcoming agenda.
Illinois General Assembly Has Long History Of Leadership Fights
Last weekend, lawmakers elected Don Harmon to be president of the Illinois Senate. It’s been described as a bitter fight, but it has nothing on some of…
Harmon Elected President Of The Illinois Senate
There is a new president of the Illinois Senate: Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park, won the support of his colleagues during a special meeting Sunday…
Senators Meeting Sunday To Elect New President
SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate will gather in the Capitol Sunday to choose a new president. This is arguably the most important election in Illinois this year, at least in terms of state government and politics. The Senate president has great power over whether legislation is considered — or killed. Because Democrats have […]