Category: Illinois Legislature

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…

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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

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House The Illinois House approved the legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis, sale of recreational Marijuana (Cannabis), a vote appaluded by Gov. JB Pritzker. “The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation. This will have a transformational impact on our state,…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois New taxes will be disastrous for gas stations and convenience stores, particularly along border As lawmakers prepare to head home for the summer, one of their final acts before leaving the Capitol includes potentially doubling the state’s motor fuel tax and raising…

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Sandoval cosponsors legislation to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sandoval cosponsors legislation to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois Proposal includes provisions for expungement, equitable participation in the industry. The Illinois Senate on Thursday May 30, 2019 voted 38-17 to approve the legislation after about 40 minutes of debate. It must still pass the Illinois House. Recreational cannabis could soon be legal in Illinois under…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News

“Fair Tax” approved by Illinois House, now goes to voters

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

“Fair Tax” approved by Illinois House, now goes to voters Leaders Also Announce Property Tax Relief Task Force As Part of Fair Tax; Bipartisan, Bicameral Task Force to Make Recommendations for Property Tax Relief. The “Fair Tax” law will be presented to Illinois Voters in a binding referendum in the November 2020 elections Governor JB…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Teamsters Local 727 criticize Pritzker plan to impose 6% parking tax

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Teamsters Local 727 criticize Pritzker plan to impose 6% parking tax Pritzker’s Proposal for State Parking Tax in ‘Rebuild Illinois’ Plan Will Do Real Harm to Illinois Business Climate. Confiscatory parking tax targets City and unreasonably burdens Chicago workers and businesses The “Rebuild Illinois” capital plan recently released by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker proposed a 6%…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Taxes, Transportation

Ford Introduces Legislation to Save Lives in the Opioid Overdose Epidemic

May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ford Introduces Legislation to Save Lives in the Opioid Overdose Epidemic Emphasizing that we have to do everything that we can to save lives during the epidemic of deaths from overdoses, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation to make sure that those who have suffered an overdose have the antidote medicine…

Crime, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Stratton takes backseat in Pritzker administration

May 15, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Stratton takes back-stage in Pritzker administration Juliana Stratton, who was elected as the lieutenant Governor running mate to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, has not been given the role she was promised. Instead, high profile issues are being handed out to Pritzker’s male cronies including former Comptroller Dan Hynes By Ray Hanania After J.B. Pritzker was elected,…

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Hurley Supports Sale of Cruelty-Free Cosmetics in Illinois

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Supports Sale of Cruelty-Free Cosmetics in Illinois Cosmetics companies would be encouraged to find alternatives to testing new products on animals under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago. “Safety testing by the cosmetics industry is often painful and distressing to animals,” Hurley said. “While many brands have taken it upon themselves to…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Gov. Pritzker, legislators move to legalize Adult-Use cannabis

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker, legislators move to legalize Adult-Use cannabis Sen. Heather Steans, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Sen. Hutchinson, Rep. Gordon-Booth, Rep. Villanueva, Lt. Gov. Stratton Join Numerous Stakeholders Support Measure to Legalize Cannabis for Adult Use on Jan. 1, 2020 Gov. JB Pritzker, key lawmakers and stakeholders from around the state announced that they have agreed on…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News

J.B. Pritzker’s income tax shell game

May 1, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

J.B. Pritzker’s income tax shell game Once again, Pritzker thinks money will not only buy him into statewide office but it will also pull the wool over the eyes of Illinois taxpayers. Pritzker’s new income tax plan changes the flat tax to a graduated tax that would open the door to significant tax increases on…

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