Category: Illinois Legislature

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…

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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

Illinois leaders denounce Trump’s campus harassment changes

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois leaders denounce Trump’s campus harassment changes Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, and leaders of the Illinois Democratic Party including Assistant Majority Leader Kelly Burke denounce President Donald Trump’s efforts to weaken Campus Harassment Rules for university and college students House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and members of the House Democratic Women’s Caucus are calling…

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Sandoval takes oath of office for sixth term

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sandoval takes oath of office for sixth term State Sen. Martin Sandoval declares that health care and immigrant rights will remain priorities as he returns to The Illinois Senate for a 6th Term in office Affordable health care, protecting immigrants’ rights, equitable K-12 funding, increasing public safety and creating more jobs will continue to be…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker signs executive order for full transparency in state government

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker signs executive order for full transparency in state government Gov. Pritzker To Make Government More Transparent with ‘Back to Basics’ First Executive Order.EO 2019-01 to Ensure Compliance with State Statutes, Transparency Laws and Data Publishing Requirements In his first official act as the 43rd governor of Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker will sign his first…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Pritzker, Stratton host “Day of Service” to kickoff their inauguration

January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker, Stratton host “Day of Service” to kickoff their inauguration Governor-elect JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor-elect Juliana Stratton held a statewide day of service to kick off their inaugural weekend. They participated in five of the 10 service opportunities the inaugural committee coordinated in every corner of the state. Gov.-elect Pritzker began his day in Chicago,…

Features, Government, Illinois Legislature

Madigan applauds new leadership in Illinois House

January 13, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan applauds new leadership in Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement on the election of new leadership in the Illinois House in Springfield: “This selection of additional House Democratic leadership team members continues our caucus’ efforts to build a legislature that truly reflects the diversity of our state and prepares us to…

Government, Illinois Legislature

April named Arab Heritage Month by new Illinois Law

January 10, 2019October 4, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

April named Arab Heritage Month by new Illinois Law Illinois Legislature passes law to designate April as Arab American Heritage Month. The bill was introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, and co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Landek and Representative Mike Zalewski. The bill restores respect for Illinois’ Arab American community which was disrespected…

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Madigan appoints Rep. Greg Harris as Majority Leader

January 10, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan appoints Rep. Greg Harris as Majority Leader Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Thursday Jan. 10, 2019 announcing his appointment of state Rep. Greg Harris as the Illinois House majority leader: “At my request, Representative Greg Harris will serve as House majority leader. This is the first in a series…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Legislative updates: reps sworn in to new terms

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Legislative updates: reps sworn in to new terms Illinois Representative Michael J. Madigan was elected to another term as Speaker of the Illinois House. Read releases from other legislators below including: Fran Hurley, Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, Sonya Harper, and Camille Y. Lilly. Hurley to Fight for First Responders, Property Tax Relief in…

elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland