Category: Illinois Legislature

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships Treasurer Michael Frerichs Hosts 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge. VIDEO is available CLICK HER A team of four students from Naperville Central High School will compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia,…

Education, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, youth

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and House Democrats are standing up to Washington’s attacks on voting rights by advancing a state constitutional amendment ensuring every person’s voice is heard—guaranteeing these rights in Illinois ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court ruling gutting the…

Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire

Hastings’ missing persons identification measure passes Senate

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Hastings’ missing persons identification measure passes Senate State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work ─ passing legislation in the Senate that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Law enforcement often starts, and sometimes stops, with criminal databases like CODIS for…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, Police, Senator Michael Hastings

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois State Senator Michael E. Hastings passed legislation through the Senate aimed at protecting Illinois homeowners from deceptive and high pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather and natural disasters. “In light of some tragic storms in the area, we need to protect Illinois’ residents,”…

Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Weather

Hastings supports updating online harassment law

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings supports updating online harassment law In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in the present day. “The world is…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Politics, Technology

Ryan Bill Expands Reduced Fee Services for Seniors and Illinoisans with Disabilities

April 9, 2026April 9, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ryan Bill Expands Reduced Fee Services for Seniors and Illinoisans with Disabilities State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, is sponsoring a bill to expand assistance for Illinois seniors and residents who have a disability by lowering the income eligibility threshold for certain state services at reduced fees. “This is an excellent program that makes registering…

Baby Boomers, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Seniors

Hastings advances measures to simplify subscription cancellations, & fights for stronger oversight of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans to protect Illinois consumers

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings advances measures to simplify subscription cancellations, & fights for stronger oversight of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans to protect Illinois consumers SPRINGFIELD — Subscription services often make canceling an active subscription difficult and convoluted in order to make customers give up or forget to cancel the service. To combat this practice, State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced…

Business, Economy, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, safety, Technology

Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes By Ray Hanania Ted Dabrowski is one of four candidates running for the Republican nomination for Illinois Governor in the March 17 Republican primary election. But he is the only one who is speaking to the real challenges of fast-rising…

Business, Cook County, Education, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is calling for support on legislation aimed at addressing online prediction platforms that allow users to wager money on real world events while avoiding the licensing and oversight required of regulated gambling operators in Illinois. “These…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Law, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Statement from John Harrell Candidate for the 8th Illinois House District In the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary election

March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Statement from John Harrell Candidate for the 8th Illinois House District in the March 17, 2026 Democratic Primary election Voters in the 8th District face many challenges and issues that need to be addressed and that are at stake in this election. One of the most important is curtailing rising property taxes. They need to…

elections, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Taxes

Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales

February 27, 2026February 27, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation designed to provide critical relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county’s 2023 tax sale. Hastings, a chief co-sponsor on the bill, worked to pass the…

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Hastings builds on missing persons identification methods

February 24, 2026February 24, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Hastings builds on missing persons identification methods SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work by advancing legislation that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Families dealing with a missing loved one should not have to wait for answers,”…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, safety, Senator Michael Hastings, Technology

Ryan Statement on Budget Preparation for More Affordable Illinois Following Budget Address

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ryan Statement on Budget Preparation for More Affordable Illinois Following Budget Address CHICAGO — Following the budget address delivered by Governor Pritzker on Wednesday, state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen, is prepared to begin the long process of securing an affordable budget that will lower the cost of living for Illinois families and improve safety in…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Hastings reacts to FY 27 budget proposal

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings reacts to FY 27 budget proposal SPRINGFIELD — After hearing the governor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement: “Our state budget faces real challenges, particularly with uncertainty in federal funding that supports Medicaid and essential services, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program….

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Politics, Senator Michael Hastings

Regional leaders endorse John Harrell for 8th Illinois House District

February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Regional leaders endorse John Harrell for 8th Illinois House District Chicago, IL – More than a dozen elected officials and regional leaders have endorsed John Harrell for the 8th Illinois House District representing the West Side of Chicago and West suburban communities. The co-founder of Black Men United and Pastor of both Proviso M.B.C. in…

Chicago, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Hastings working towards stronger consumer protections for Illinois families

February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Hastings working towards stronger consumer protections for Illinois families Subscription services often make canceling an active subscription difficult and convoluted in order to make customers give up or forget to cancel the service. In response, State Senator Michael E. Hastings introduced legislation designed to protect Illinois consumers from hidden fees and confusing subscription contracts. “This…

Business, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Rep. Ryan Secures Funding for Special Bus Lane in Evergreen Park

February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rep. Ryan Secures Funding for Special Bus Lane in Evergreen Park State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, has secured funding for the construction of a “queue jump” bus lane in Evergreen Park on 95th St. and Western Ave. that will allow buses a seven-second start at stoplights ahead of other lanes. “I’m thrilled that this…

Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

State Senate candidate Nick Uniejewski receives major endorsements in 6th District

February 10, 2026February 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

State Senate candidate Nick Uniejewski receives major endorsements in 6th District Veteran progressive icon Don Rose and former Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin have endorsed Nick Uniejewski in his challenge to controversial incumbent Sara Feigenholtz in the March 17, 2026, Democratic Primary. Feigenholtz has been repeatedly criticized for putting foreign interests over the interests of…

elections, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics