Tag: Springfield

Chris Getty becomes first Independent Congressional Candidate to file for IL-4th Congressional District race with nearly 20,000 signatures

May 18, 2026May 18, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chris Getty becomes first Independent Congressional Candidate to file for IL-4th Congressional District race with nearly 20,000 signatures Lyons mayor’s historic petition drive signals grassroots demand for real representation after Democratic machine bypassed voters Declaring that “democracy only works when voters are given a real choice,” Mayor Chris Getty officially filed petitions Monday morning May…

elections, Federal, News, NewsWire, Politics, Regional Midwest

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

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 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 champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill

February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is spearheading legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis. “Every second matters…

Education, Fire, Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, safety, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings’s insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in Illinois homeowners insurance. “With this legislation, we are putting fairness and accountability back into the system,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Here is what this means…

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, 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

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt Newly elected Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge detailed the problems that former Mayor Keith Pekau left to the taxpayers of the village he controlled for the past six years including an impending financial debt of $200 million. You can read the entire…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Republican, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois State Fair to Host 100 Days Out Celebration

April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois State Fair to Host 100 Days Out Celebration The countdown is on! The Illinois State Fair is marking 100 days until the opening of the 2025 Fair with a special “100 Days Out” Celebration on Tuesday, April 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Reisch Pavilion on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. State…

Entertainment, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Weather

Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025 Join State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid and State Senator Mike Porfirio to discuss legislative updates, the impact of federal changes on Illinois, and the continued efforts to fight for working families. The Town Hall meeting will be held on April, 19 2025 beginning at 12 NOON. It…

Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Comedian Trevor Noah Will Headline the Illinois State Fair Lottery Grandstand August 19th

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

Comedian Trevor Noah Will Headline the Illinois State Fair Lottery Grandstand August 19th Tickets on Sale June 23rd Emmy Award-winning host of the “The Daily Show” Trevor Noah will bring his stand-up comedy to the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage on Friday, August 19. The South African born comedian has written, produced and starred in 11…

Comedy, Entertainment, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Republican legislators criticize Pritzker Gas Tax

June 13, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Republican legislators criticize Pritzker Gas Tax Governor Pritzker’s doubling of the Illinois Gasoline Tax causes damage to Illinois economy coalition of Republican legislators argue in an Op-Ed commentary By Republican State Representatives Transportation is a vital part of the Illinois economy. When it comes to Interstate highways, Illinois has the third most Interstates in the…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Speaker details actions taken to address sexual harassment

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker details actions taken to address sexual harassment In February 2018, the Office of the Speaker released a summary of past complaints of discrimination and harassment. That document included descriptions of two allegations involving Travis Shea. Both women were consulted prior to the release and requested confidentiality. To date, neither has given permission to disclose…

Illinois Legislature

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

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

Welch bill aims to guarantee Need-Based Higher Education grants for four years

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch bill aims to guarantee Need-Based Higher Education grants for four years To encourage more Illinois students to attend in-state colleges and universities, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, was the chief sponsor of legislation that stabilizes Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants and makes it easier for students to receive the grant for all four…

Education, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature

Basham, Madigan bolster Human Resource staffing to change “Capitol Culture”

June 12, 2018June 12, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Basham, Madigan bolster Human Resource staffing to change “Capitol Culture” House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and new chief of staff Jessica Basham announced they will begin conducting a thorough search to hire a human resources director and an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action officer to promote a fair, equitable, and unbiased work environment for the 200…

breaking news, Government, News, Politics

House Democrats Pass Sweeping Gun Safety Measures, Answering Nationwide Call from Student Activists

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

House Democrats pass sweeping Gun Safety Measures, answering nationwide call from student activists Responding to a nationwide call from students and parents for immediate action on gun safety in the wake of another tragic mass shooting, Illinois House Democrats passed critical legislation reducing access to assault rifles, banning the sale of ‘bump stock’ modifications, and…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, National, News, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland