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Senate budget could freeze suburbs’ tax shareMay 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Illinois Senate Democrats could propose a budget that would freeze individual suburbs' share of the state's income taxes, an idea local mayors have fought hard against in recent years.
House vote on compromise gun bill to come Friday May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says legislation allowing the carrying of concealed guns will get a vote Friday. In a compromise, the legislation would ban guns in parks and on public transportation. The new House plan also requires a $150 application fee.
Details of hazing plan under scrutiny in Senate committee May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
A suburban Democrat says he'll make changes to a proposal that grew out of hazing scandals in the suburbs after lawmakers raised questions about how broadly it would be applied. State Sen. Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat, presented the plan to a Senate panel Wednesday. He wants to create a new crime called "failure to report hazing" in the wake of high-profile scandals at Maine West and Hoffman Estates high schools.
Override of ‘Smart Grid’ veto complete May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The Illinois House voted 71-41 Wednesday to again approve the so-called Smart Grid legislation. The Senate approved it Tuesday. Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed it May 6, saying the proposal weakened oversight and forced automatic rate hikes. However, the legislation becomes law immediately.
State Senate approves sex education bill May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused solely on abstinence, according to a plan that cleared the state Senate on Wednesday.
House approves raising interstate speed limit to 70 May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The Illinois House Wednesday voted to raise interstate and tollway speed limits to 70 mph. Suburban counties would be allowed to opt out of the higher limit if officials wanted to.
GOP questions IRS scrutiny of anti-abortion groups May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The tax collection agency's treatment of applications for nonprofit status of the Coalition for Life of Iowa and other anti-abortion groups has gotten new attention in the wake of an ongoing scandal over the alleged targeting of conservative groups.
Broke no laws, IRS official says — then takes 5th May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
At the center of a political storm, an Internal Revenue Service supervisor whose agents targeted conservative groups swore Wednesday she did nothing wrong, broke no laws and never lied to Congress. Then she refused to answer lawmakers' further questions, citing her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself.
St. Charles sees high interest in vacant city council seat May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Two weeks ago there were no candidates to fill St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina's vacated city council seat in the Third Ward. Today, 13 candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, prompting formation of a task force to narrow the list down to three finalists.
Officials: Senators reach deal on high-tech visas May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Leading senators working to resolve a key issue on immigration legislation have agreed to a compromise covering expansion of a high-tech visa program, officials said Tuesday, resolving one of two major hurdles to committee passage of the landmark bill.
Clinton says Illinois should legalize gay marriage May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Former President Bill Clinton is calling on Illinois lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage. In a statement Tuesday, Clinton says Illinois “has stood for the proposition that all citizens should be treated equally under the law” since the days of Abraham Lincoln.
Illinois Senate overrides ‘Smart Grid’ veto May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
The Senate has again approved a plan to address so-called Smart Grid technology over the objection of Gov. Pat Quinn. Senators voted 44-11 Tuesday to override Quinn’s veto earlier this month. Quinn claimed the bill undermined oversight and would force automatic rate hikes.
Tea Party protests IRS in Chicago May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Leaders of Illinois’ Tea Party movement say revelations that the IRS targeted conservative groups for extra scrutiny should fuel activists to “take back this country.” About 100 people attended the Tuesday rally downtown Chicago. Similar events occurred in Downers Grove, Rockford and Springfield and other cities nationwide.
Lang takes name off gambling legislation May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
The longtime backer of a push to expand gambling in Illinois has dropped his name from a pending bill over “perceived conflict of interest” with a law firm where he’s counsel. For years state Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat, sponsored gambling legislation proposing more casinos in areas including Rockford, citing revenue for the state and more jobs.
Controversial Kane Co. temporary hire will stay on through end of yearMay 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Robert Sauceda will have a temporary job as billing manager at Kane County Animal Control that extends at least through the end of the current budget year. That's the only way to measure the financial value of the position, according to the county's public health director. Sauceda's job prevents the hiring of an animal control administrator because he is being paid from money that would fund that position.
St. Charles sees high interest in vacant city council seat May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Two weeks ago there were no candidates to fill St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina’s vacated city council seat in the Third Ward. Today, 13 candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, prompting formation of a task force to narrow the list down to three finalists.
Analysis: Pension cuts might save less than thoughtMay 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Number crunchers at the Illinois pension funds say a union-backed plan to cut public employee benefits might not save the cash-strapped state as much money as previously believed.
AP Sources: Obama OK punting gay immigration idea May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Two people familiar with the Senate immigration deliberations say the White House has suggested to Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy that it would be best to put off a controversy over gay marriage until a bill goes before the full Senate. President Barack Obama backs the proposal to give equal treatment to gays and lesbians but is unlikely to veto a broad immigration bill that does not include the provision.
IRS official to take the 5th at House hearing May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Summoned by Congress, a key figure in the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups plans to invoke her constitutional right against self-incrimination and decline to testify at a congressional hearing on Wednesday.
Push to insure student athletes goes to governor May 20, 2013 12:00 AM
A bill that former Rolling Meadows High School football player Rob Komosa pushed for before his death that would requrie Illinois high schools carry catastrophic accident insurance goes to Gov. Pat Quinn.