Welch Sworn In As House Speaker, Ending Madigan’s Decades-Long Hold On Illinois Politics
SPRINGFIELD – Former House Speaker Mike Madigan is now merely State Rep. Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) for the first time in nearly four decades as the embattled Democratic leader passed the gavel on to new Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) Wednesday. Welch becomes Illinois’ first Black House speaker — a milestone celebrated by groups statewide in […]
Rep. Darren Bailey Collapses During IL House Session
SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois House Republican collapsed during a session of the General Assembly. Rep. Darren Bailey of Zenia was seen laying on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center, where the House was meeting Sunday to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bailey, who represents the 109th Illinois House district, was seen […]
GOP Lawmakers Introduce ‘Fair Maps’ Legislation
SPRINGFIELD – Republicans in the Illinois House said Tuesday that they hope to use legislation, instead of a constitutional amendment, to change the way state legislative and congressional district lines are redrawn every 10 years. The so-called “fair maps” proposal would authorize the General Assembly to set up an independent, nonpartisan commission to redraw the […]
Bills Would Allow Lawmakers To Meet, Vote Remotely
SPRINGFIELD – Two lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow the General Assembly to meet and vote remotely during a pandemic or other emergency that makes in-person meetings dangerous. Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Robert Martwick, both Chicago Democrats, filed the legislation Monday, saying the current inability to conduct business remotely has hindered lawmakers’ ability to […]
News Around Illinois – May 29, 2020
Pritzker: All Illinois Regions Have Met Conditions To Reopen CHICAGO — The governor of Illinois has announced the end of a 10-week stay-at-home order meant to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Friday, the state will move to the third phase of his five-stage recovery plan, meaning manufacturing and […]
News Around Illinois – May 19, 2020
Illinois Supreme Court Disbars Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich CHICAGO — Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been officially disbarred. The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Monday that it revoked Blagojevich’s law license. The announcement was not a surprise, as Blagojevich didn’t even attend a March hearing in which the matter was discussed and indicated […]
News Around Illinois – November 15, 2019
Here are headlines for Friday, November 15, 2019: House OKs Easier Access To Lobbyist Information The Illinois House has overwhelmingly approved a measure ease access to disclosure requirements for lobbyists who try to influence the General Assembly. Debate lasted more than an hour before the 109-5 vote. It would create a searchable database that allows […]