Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
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…
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…
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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,…
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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…
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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 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…
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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…
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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…
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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….
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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…
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Harper Overrides Rauner’s Veto of Urban Agriculture Zones Bill State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, helped override the governor’s veto of her legislation that creates local urban agricultural zones across communities in Illinois to help residents grow their own produce. “I have been fighting for access to healthy food options and to expand urban agriculture on…
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Madigan accuses Trump of attacking sexual harassment survivors Madigan: Trump Administration’s Proposed Title IX Overhaul is an Attack on Sexual Assault Survivors Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, issued the following statement regarding Friday’s action by the Trump Administration’s Education Department that proposed new rules governing school sexual harassment and assault…
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Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21 Dozens of Democratic candidates running in the November 6, 2018 General election will be showcased at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast & Brunch on Sunday, October 21 hosted by The Arab American Democratic Club. The keynote speakers at the event are Illinois House Speaker Michael J….
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Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, released the following statement Wednesday: “Addressing harassment, increasing access and ensuring equality of all forms are issues of great importance to the Democratic Party of Illinois, and the time and commitment that Comptroller Mendoza, Senator Bush and Representative…
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