Category: Illinois Legislature

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,…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, women

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…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, Obituary, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Arab American Heritage Month, April, celebrated by elected officials

April 12, 2019April 16, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab American Heritage Month, April, celebrated by elected officials More than 100 elected officials and Arab American community leaders came together on April 10 to celebrate the revival of Arab American Heritage month, April. The commemoration of Arab American contributions to this country and their culture was codified in a state law introduced by Illinois…

Chicago, Entertainment, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Willis, Welch bill to make hospital closure tougher passes House

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Willis, Welch bill to make hospital closure tougher passes House State Reps. Kathleen Willis, D-Northlake, and Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, are continuing their push to keep Westlake Hospital open by passing legislation that makes it harder for wealthy health management companies to purchase local hospitals and then close down to pad profits. “Hospitals need every…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

April proclaimed Arab American Heritage month by Cook County Board

March 24, 2019March 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

April proclaimed Arab American Heritage month by Cook County Board Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison introduces a proclamation honoring April as Arab American Heritage Month at the board meeting March 20, 2019, in coordination with the passage of a State of Illinois Law designating April as Arab American Heritage month. The Cook County Board on…

Features, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Religion

Speaker details actions taken to address sexual harassment

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker details actions taken to address sexual harassment In February 2018, the Office of the Speaker released a summary of past complaints of discrimination and harassment. That document included descriptions of two allegations involving Travis Shea. Both women were consulted prior to the release and requested confidentiality. To date, neither has given permission to disclose…

Illinois Legislature

Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois As part of her commitment to criminal justice reform, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is proposing a major overhaul of Illinois’ sentencing laws, easing reliance on unfair mandatory minimum sentences and providing judges with discretion to use alternative sentences. “We’ve seen how a so-called ‘tough on…

Chicago, Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker names Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head Veterans Affairs

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker names Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head Veterans Affairs Governor JB Pritzker announced a new appointment to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, nominating Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head the agency. “The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has faced numerous challenges, and it’s a priority for my administration to ensure that our…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment Legislative leaders release statements detailing steps to be taken in response to allegations of sexual harassment. Statements released by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, former legislator Barbara Flynn Curry, and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Releases, women