Category: Illinois Legislature

Democratic Party Chair Robin Kelly Names Abby Witt New Executive Director

April 27, 2021April 27, 2021 Ray Hanania

Democratic Party Chair Robin Kelly Names Abby Witt New Executive Director Kelly Says Witt Will Lead Effort to Build New & Inclusive Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) The Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) today named Abby Witt as its new Executive Director. An Evanston native, Witt has spent nearly two decades working with progressive campaigns…

Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Battle for Secretary of State already brewing in Illinois

April 17, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania

Battle for Secretary of State already brewing in Illinois Alexi Giannoulias is the lead candidate in the brewing race to succeed Illinois Secretary of State Jessie White who is retiring. Although the Democratic Party Primary election is not until March 2022, time goes by quickly and the race will quickly become crowded. As the Republican…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Landek announces over $155 million in funding for local school districts

April 12, 2021April 12, 2021 News Editor

Landek announces over $155 million in funding for local school districts Thirteen local school districts are set to receive over $155 million in additional funding, State Senator Steve Landek (D-Bridgeview) announced today. The funding comes as part of the latest federal COVID-19 relief packages and is meant to address challenges caused by the pandemic. “Now…

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

House Redistricting Committee Urges Public to Share Insight at Regional Hearings

March 29, 2021November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania

House Redistricting Committee Urges Public to Share Insight at Regional Hearings House Redistricting Committee Chair Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, is encouraging members of the public and advocates to participate in the process of creating new districts by sharing testimony at the committee’s upcoming regional hearings beginning this week. “People throughout Illinois have insight into their communities…

Cook County, DuPage, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings announces for Secretary of State

March 3, 2021March 3, 2021 Ray Hanania

Hastings announces for Secretary of State State Senator Michael E. Hastings announces bid for Secretary of State. Hastings wins major endorsement from the Carpenters union, which represents 30,000 Illinois working families Illinois State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced Wednesday his intention to run for Secretary of State, pledging to serve working class families across…

elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, NewsWire, Politics

22nd District officials will name new successor to Madigan

February 24, 2021February 24, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

22nd District officials will name new successor to Madigan By Ray Hanania After the surprise decision by Edward Kodatt to withdraw from the appointment to succeed Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan as the representative for the 22nd Illinois House District, Madigan announced that the district’s Democratic Committeemen will reconvene on Thursday, Jan. 25, to…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Kodatt selected to succeed Madigan by 22nd District community leaders

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Kodatt selected to succeed Madigan by 22nd District community leaders Leaders of the 22nd Illinois House District voted to name longtime district resident Edward Kodatt as the successor to fill the seat held since 1971 by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. The vote reflects the will of the district’s voters and community leaders and…

Chicago, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Mike Madigan does get to select his successor

February 19, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mike Madigan does get to select his successor The decision on who should succeed #MichaelJMadigan in the #22ndDistrict belongs to the voters, not to the news media media pundits nor to the loudmouthed revolutionaries and activists. The right way to fill the vacancy when Madigan resigned from the Illinois House is to allow the #Democrat…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Madigan resigns ending half century of leadership

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan resigns ending a half century of leadership Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan ended a half century long career in public service on Thursday, February 18, 2021, resigning from his seat as representative of the 22nd House District in Illinois and his role as Speaker of the House. By Ray Hanania Michael J Madigan,…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Building on Efforts to Protect Illinois Families, Gov. Pritzker Delivers Third Balanced Budget Proposal

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Building on Efforts to Protect Illinois Families, Gov. Pritzker Delivers Third Balanced Budget Proposal Proposed Budget Does Not Increase Income Taxes, Closes Nearly $1 Billion in Corporate Tax Loopholes; Invests in Human Services to Strengthen Safety Net During Pandemic Crisis With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to hurt families across Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker proposed his…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Seniors are pushed aside in Illinois COVID-19 vaccination program

February 14, 2021February 14, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Seniors are pushed aside in Illinois COVID-19 vaccination program Illinois isn’t even halfway through giving COVID-19 vaccinations to seniors and Gov. J.B. Pritzker is already talking about expanding the eligibility list for vaccinations to include others. The truth is we don’t have enough vaccinations to go around and what we have is being dished out…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Editors Pick, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Tollway wins Excellence Award for snow, Ice control

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois Tollway wins Excellence Award for snow, Ice control Illinois Tollway wins Excellence Award for snow, Ice control from the American public Works Association. Illinois Tollway is one of only three agencies honored In recognition of its outstanding work during winter storms to keep customers safe and roads clear, the Illinois Tollway has received the 2021…

Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Transportation

More Than 100 New COVID-19 Vaccination Locations Added

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

More Than 100 New COVID-19 Vaccination Locations Added Meijer and Walmart now offering vaccines at a limited number of stores The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination locations across Illinois continues to increase. Since February 4, 2021, 134 new locations have been added to the list of COVID-19 vaccination sites open to the public for…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Seniors

Illinois Republicans select Don Tracy as new party chairman

February 6, 2021February 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Republicans select Don Tracy as new party chairman Springfield businessman and lawyer becomes the first downstate chairman since 1988 After lengthy interviews with the three finalists, spirited discussion, and a weighted vote amongst the ILGOP State Central Committee, Don Tracy of Springfield was chosen Saturday (Feb. 6, 2021) as the next chairman of the Illinois Republican Party…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Slight slowdown in COVID-19 cases in Orland Park

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Slight slowdown in COVID-19 cases in Orland Park Coronavirus COVID-19 continues its threatening levels in Orland Park, which has become the symbol of the anti-face mask movement because of the failed leadership of the Village’s administration. These statistics reflect all of the cases in Orland Park, as opposed to the partial and incomplete statistics that…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker tours vaccination center at Morton East High school

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker tours vaccination center at Morton East High school Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker toured a state designated vaccination site on Thursday located at Morton East High school, 2423 South Austin Boulevard, in the Town of Cicero. Pritzker announced during the tour that the state will receive $45 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase…

coronavirus, Education, Features, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker activates 500 National Guard Troops for Capital Security at DOD request

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker activates 500 National Guard Troops for Capital Security at DOD request At the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Thursday activated approximately 500 Illinois National Guard members in support of the continued security mission in Washington, D.C. The mission in Washington, D.C. will not impact the Illinois National…

Government, Illinois Legislature, National, News, Politics

Illinois to relocate state facilities from Thomas Center

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois to relocate state facilities from Thomas Center Governor Pritzker Announces State Will Buy West Loop Building that Will Save $20 Million a Year. State of Illinois acquires 555 West Monroe, a 17-story building in Chicago’s West Loop as part of effort to optimize real estate portfolio. Acquisition will result in the elimination of $20 million…

Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, NewsWire