Tag: Illinois Legislature

Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment

May 4, 2026May 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment State Senator Michael E. Hastings called on the Illinois Commerce Commission to ensure fairness and balance in a proposed $200 million infrastructure plan filed by Illinois American Water ─ raising concerns about how those investments are distributed across the state. During a hearing in Springfield, Hastings…

Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

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

Hastings files bill to protect homeowners from post-storm contractor scams

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings files bill to protect homeowners from post-storm contractor scams State Senator Michael E. Hastings filed legislation aimed at protecting Illinois homeowners from deceptive and high-pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather and natural disasters. “After a major storm, families are overwhelmed and trying to protect their homes, not negotiate contracts on their front…

breaking news, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Senator Michael Hastings reacts to Illinois’ State Farm lawsuit

October 15, 2025October 15, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings reacts to Illinois’ State Farm lawsuit SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement in response to Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s lawsuit against State Farm, which claims the firm is breaking the law by refusing to turn over homeowners’ insurance data to the state for regulatory examination: “The…

accident, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Chicago, IL – The proposed Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs. “The only result guaranteed in…

Business, Energy, Environment, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, NewsWire, Releases

Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Chicago, IL – The Illinois Legislature should not rush to approve a battery energy storage proposal that guarantees out-of-state battery companies a 20-year profit paid for by Illinois utility customers, a leading energy ratepayer advocacy association said Wednesday. Phillip Golden, chairman…

Business, Energy, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Releases, Technology

Chicago Black Pastors gather to praise John Harrell candidacy for 8th State House District

August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Black Pastors gather to praise John Harrell candidacy for 8th State House District More than two dozen prominent African American pastors representing the largest churches and parishes on Chicago’s South and West Sides on Tuesday (Aug. 5, 2025) praised and encouraged fellow Pastor John Harrell’s decision to run for State Representative in the 8th Illinois House…

elections, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics

Lisa Hernandez Responds to Governor’s State of the State: Cost of Living is My Top Priority

February 20, 2025February 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lisa Hernandez Responds to Governor’s State of the State: Cost of Living is My Top Priority SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, outlined her strong commitment to cutting the cost of living for everyday Illinoisans in her response to Governor Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address. “While we again face a…

Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Senator Michael Hastings announces Matteson set to receive nearly $27 million to improve local roads and highways

July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings announces Matteson set to receive nearly $27 million to improve local roads and highways State Senator Michael E. Hastings is excited to announce that the Village of Matteson is set to receive $26.6 million in investments to improve local roads and highways. “Our highways and roads serve as a lifeline,” said Hastings…

construction, Government, News, Transportation

Representative Cyril Nichols discusses legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans on Arab Radio

December 11, 2022December 11, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Representative Cyril Nichols discusses legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans on Arab Radio State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022 discussed his legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans and called on Arab Americans to build coalitions with the…

Business, Chicago, Civil Rights, Cook County, Government, News, Podcast, Radio, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Fran Hurley invites residents to share Legislative Ideas, Thoughts on How to Make State Government More Efficient

November 19, 2022November 20, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fran Hurley invites residents to share Legislative Ideas, Thoughts on How to Make State Government More Efficient As a new legislative session approaches, state Rep. Fran Hurley is encouraging residents to share their thoughts on potential laws that would help and support the local community. “I’m currently in the process of reviewing ideas for legislation…

Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Hurley Backs Efforts to Help Recruit Officers

June 17, 2022June 17, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Backs Efforts to Help Recruit Officers A pair of new laws supported by state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, will enhance incentives to recruit and retain quality law enforcement officers. “The police profession is incredibly difficult and demanding – which is why we have to do what we can to support officers and ensure that…

Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Police

I like Mike, it’s the politician losers who don’t

March 10, 2022March 10, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

I like Mike, it’s the politician losers who don’t No other politician has had a greater impact on trying to strengthen Illinois than Mike Madigan. With a career spanning more than half a century, it’s unavoidable that a politician will face a serious challenge from his enemies, including from a Trump appointed U.S. Attorney. But…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, 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

Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19

May 24, 2020May 24, 2020 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19 Maintaining social distancing and meeting at the Bank of Springfield Building, a multi-purpose arena that holds 80,000, the Illinois House approved a $42.6 billion budget to provide support to victims of the coronavirus and ensuring that statewide services to residents continues, ending an 11-week recess forced by…

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

Illinois House adopts COVID-19 guidelines in advance of meeting

May 19, 2020May 19, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois House adopts COVID-19 guidelines in advance of meeting House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Tuesday: “Last week when I announced the House would return to Springfield, I asked all members to commit to safety precautions approved and guided by the Illinois Department of Public Health to help prevent the spread of…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Ford Introduces Legislation to Save Lives in the Opioid Overdose Epidemic

May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ford Introduces Legislation to Save Lives in the Opioid Overdose Epidemic Emphasizing that we have to do everything that we can to save lives during the epidemic of deaths from overdoses, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation to make sure that those who have suffered an overdose have the antidote medicine…

Crime, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

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