Category: Illinois Legislature

Illinois unemployment surges in wake of coronavirus restrictions on businesses

March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois unemployment surges in wake of coronavirus restrictions on businesses Unemployment Rate Dropped to New Historic Low in February, While State Sees Significant Increase in Unemployment Claims in March While the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 3.4 percent, a new record low, the…

Chicago, Cook County, General Topics, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pritzker announces 330 new coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Illinois

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker announces 330 new coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Illinois Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said that the number of Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Illinois increased by 330 and that there are three COVID-19 related deaths. The Governor also announced he was extending the deadline for income tax filings and providing a $90 million program to help…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Editors Pick, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Welch to Lead Qualifications Challenge Committee

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch to Lead Qualifications Challenge Committee State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, a career attorney and certified administrative hearing officer, will lead the Qualifications Challenge Committee tasked with evaluating complaints against the appointment process of state Rep. Eva Dina Delgado. Welch released the following statement Tuesday: “As a practicing attorney for more than 20 years and…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

The media’s obsession with Mike Madigan

January 19, 2020January 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

The media’s obsession with Mike Madigan The news media is making a big deal about an email sent by a lobbyist who happens to have worked with a lot of politicians, Democrats and Republicans. But although the email never came from Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, the media is doing everything they can to…

Blogger, Commentary, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, Media Bias, Opinion, Politics

Rep. Welch delivers keynote speech at Cicero MLK commemoration

January 16, 2020January 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rep. Welch delivers keynote speech at Cicero MLK commemoration The Town of Cicero hosted a commemoration honoring the legacy and life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the few Chicagoland suburbs that does more than just see Dr. King as a holiday day-off. State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, of the 7th House…

Editors Pick, Education, Events, Features, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Pritzker to give financial aid to illegal and undocumented students

January 6, 2020January 6, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker to give financial aid to illegal and undocumented students The governor’s directive will also provide state financial aid to transgender students. Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides qualifying students an opportunity to apply for MAP Grants For the first time in Illinois, eligible undocumented students and transgender students who are disqualified from federal financial…

Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Taxes

Hurley, Cunningham and O’Shea Host Local Seniors for New Year’s Eve at Noon Pizza Party

January 3, 2020January 3, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley, Cunningham and O’Shea Host Local Seniors for New Year’s Eve at Noon Pizza Party State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, recently partnered with Sen. Bill Cunningham and Ald. Matt O’Shea to host a New Year’s Eve at noon pizza party to give local seniors an opportunity to gather and celebrate New Year’s Eve safely. “My…

Chicago, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Congresswoman Kelly Votes to Lower Drug Prices for Illinois Families

December 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congresswoman Kelly Votes to Lower Drug Prices for Illinois Families Congresswoman Robin Kelly, a member of the Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, released this statement Thursday Dec. 12, 2019 regarding the passage of the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): “Too many…

Business, Health, Illinois Legislature, News

Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act

November 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch Statement on Student Athlete Endorsement Act State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, issued the following statement Wednesday after the Legislature adjourned the fall legislative session without the Senate passing House Bill 3904, the Student Athlete Endorsement Act: “I’m very disappointed that we were not able to get this reform that brings equity and fairness…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Sports

Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs

November 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker Statement on Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs Springfield, Ill. — Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement after both chambers of the General Assembly passed legislation to cap insulin costs for Illinois families. “Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are an enormous burden for too many Illinois families, and this legislation will significantly lower out-of-pocket…

Illinois Legislature, Releases

Iris Martinez announces candidacy for Cook County Circuit Clerk

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Iris Martinez announces candidacy for Cook County Circuit Clerk Illinois Senator Iris Martinez announced Thursday (Oct. 17, 2019) that she will be a candidate in the Democratic Primary for the office of Cook County Circuit Court Clerk, succeeding Dorothy Brown who announced in August that she will not seek re-election. Martinez was elected to The…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Illinois Joining Forces to Host Veteran’s Resource Fair as Part of Chicago Warrior Week

September 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Joining Forces to Host Veteran’s Resource Fair as Part of Chicago Warrior Week From September 14-21, Illinois Joining Forces (IJF), will join other state-wide and regional Veteran Service Organizations for the first annual Chicago Warrior Week, a week-long series of events designed for veterans that will highlight the programs and resources available to help…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Veterans, Veterans Column

Pritzker announces major step towards sale of Thompson Center

August 27, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker announces major step towards sale of Thompson Center Governor Pritzker issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Technical and Project Management Expertise Governor JB Pritzker today announced a major step toward the sale of the James R. Thompson Center (JRTC). The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) will issue a Request for Proposals…

General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Pritzker signs bill raising minimum teacher salaries to $40,000 to address statewide teacher shortage

August 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker signs bill raising minimum teacher salaries to $40,000 to address statewide teacher shortage Taking another step to address the statewide teacher shortage, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation today raising teachers’ minimum salary to $40,000. “As Illinois children head back to school this week and next, this new law says to them and their…

Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Harper’s Anti-Hunger Bill Signed into Law

July 22, 2019July 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper’s Anti-Hunger Bill Signed into Law A measure to expand options for people experiencing food insecurity spearheaded by state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, recently became law in Illinois. “Far too many Illinoisans don’t have a place to prepare, store or cook food in order to receive necessary sustenance,” State Rep. Sonya Harper said. “Unfortunately, overly-restrictive…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News

Hurley measure to protect victims of stalking and domestic violence sent to governor

July 22, 2019July 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley measure to protect victims of stalking and domestic violence sent to governor In an effort to expand protections for survivors of domestic violence, stalking and other crimes, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, passed legislation to ensure timely enforcement of emergency no contact orders. “Currently, it is a possibility that emergency no contact orders issued…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Republican legislators criticize Pritzker Gas Tax

June 13, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Republican legislators criticize Pritzker Gas Tax Governor Pritzker’s doubling of the Illinois Gasoline Tax causes damage to Illinois economy coalition of Republican legislators argue in an Op-Ed commentary By Republican State Representatives Transportation is a vital part of the Illinois economy. When it comes to Interstate highways, Illinois has the third most Interstates in the…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget Legislative report: The Illinois General Assembly approved a bi-partisan budget on Saturday that Speaker Michael J. Madigan predicted will off-set much of the state’s outstanding deficits and shortfalls “Two years ago at this time, Illinois stood on the edge of a cliff. Billions of dollars in debt…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes