Category: 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…

breaking news, Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

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…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Entertainment, Festival, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

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

Protestors block 30 cent gasoline tax hike

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

Protestors block 30 cent gasoline tax hike Illinois taxpayers defeated the plan of downstate and Cook County Democrats to give the state of Illinois the highest gasoline tax in the country during the Illinois 100th General Assembly lame duck session. The Democrat mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emmanuel, showing how out-of-touch he was with taxpayers, had…

Chicago, Editors Pick, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Taxes

Pritzker announces schedule for inauguration, and new appointments

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

Pritzker announces schedule for inauguration, and new appointments Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker also announced plans to give his top cabinet members a 15 percent raise, and is rumored to be preparing to demand resignations of all appointees on state-held boards and commissions Today, the Pritzker-Stratton Inaugural Committee announced the schedule of weekend events leading up to the inauguration on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Multi-Agency collaboration reduces backlog at the Illinois Human Rights Commission

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Multi-Agency collaboration reduces backlog at the Illinois Human Rights Commission The Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) is releasing its first Progress Report on transforming service delivery and addressing the backlog of cases pending before the HRC. The report comes in response to Executive Order 18-08, issued by Gov. Bruce Rauner in June, which required the…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, Politics, Releases

Mayor Emanuel’s disregard for the best interests of taxpayers

December 12, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Emanuel’s disregard for the best interests of taxpayers Mayor Rahm Emanuel, one of the worst mayors to ever sit in the Chicago mayor’s office, is making one last effort to slam taxpayers in suburban Chicagoland to pay for the financial shortfalls and deficits caused by his poor leadership. He wants to jack up the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Transportation

Hurley Holds Business Attire Clothing Drive to Benefit Local Non-profit

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Holds Business Attire Clothing Drive to Benefit Local Non-profit State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is holding her 6th Annual Business Attire Clothing Drive this year for young adults from November 29 to December 14. Hurley is encouraging residents in the community to donate new and gently used business clothing attire to benefit the Mercy…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Suburban Chicagoland

GOP Chairman Schneider denounces State Rep. Kifowit’s remarks

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

GOP Chairman Schneider denounces State Rep. Kifowit’s remarks Today during floor debate in the Illinois House of Representatives, Democratic State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit wished death upon Republican State Rep. Peter Breen and his family. Kifowit later said her words were “misheard, misrepresented, misinterpreted and mischaracterized,” but an audio recording of her extreme rhetoric proves otherwise….

Government, Illinois Legislature, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Challenging racist laws that restrict free speech

November 25, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Challenging racist laws that restrict free speech By Ray Hanania Letter I wrote to Illinois Representative David Harris of Arlington Heights (Republican) who introduced a bill last year to expand the existing anti-BDS law that prohibits Americans from criticizing a specific foreign country, Israel. I criticize Israel’s government and will continue to criticize Israel’s government…