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Illinois Politics

Who Speaks for Illinois on Fracking? Dr. Sandra Steingraber or Sierra Club, Compromising Environmental Groups?

Jeff Biggers | Posted 05.22.2013 | Green
Jeff Biggers

Before environmental lobbyists and legislators push a hydraulic fracking bill through the Illinois legislature, they need to sit down with farmers in Clinton County and learn how well regulations defended their water, farms and cankered lives from the contamination of coal slurry.

Marriage Equality Will Be the Illinois Moderate Litmus Test

Kyle Hillman | Posted 05.21.2013 | Chicago
Kyle Hillman

With a vote upcoming any day now in Springfield and a Supreme Court decision that is likely to be less than an all-out victory for equal marriage, the issue won't be going away as some have hoped.

Would Making Chicago Our State Capital Reduce Political Corruption?

Posted 05.21.2013 | Chicago

Is the geographic remoteness of Illinois' state capital relative to most of the state's population a major contributing factor to its historically hig...

Family Drama Adds Intrigue To 2014 Governor's Race

AP | SARA BURNETT | Posted 05.15.2013 | Chicago

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Politics has long been a family business in Illinois, a place where who you know – and who you're related to – m...

Advocates Say Put the Public First in Illinois Cable Law

Barbara Popovic | Posted 05.13.2013 | Chicago
Barbara Popovic

The proposal seeks preferential treatment from the legislature, creates an unlevel playing field with other statewide and local franchise holders, erodes municipal authority, and cuts funding and channels for public use.

Key Donor: State GOP's Internal Quarrels 'Destroying' Their Party

Posted 05.10.2013 | Chicago

A key Republican donor lashed out Thursday against the Illinois GOP when he blamed the party's most conservative leaders of "destroying" their 2014 el...

State GOP Chair Resigns Amid Gay Marriage Support Controversy

Posted 05.08.2013 | Chicago

Updated story Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady has stepped down from his post amid controversy over his public support for same-sex marriage. Bra...

BGA Legislative Update: Progress on Wrongful Convictions

Emily J. Miller | Posted 05.06.2013 | Chicago
Emily J. Miller

With one month to go in the spring General Assembly session, the BGA is pushing hard for reforms that create a more just, accountable and efficient Illinois government.

Constitutional Concerns Cloud Future Of Pension Reform Bill

Reuters | Posted 05.05.2013 | Chicago

By Karen Pierog CHICAGO, May 5 (Reuters) - Now that the Illinois House of Representatives has passed a plan to repair a state pension ...

Cheering Record Coal Exports, Illinois Gov. Quinn Joins Climate Deniers and Big Coal Mayhem

Jeff Biggers | Posted 05.02.2013 | Green
Jeff Biggers

Within hours of renowned climate scientists announcing a staggering milestone in carbon dioxide emissions, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn rolled out the booster wagons for Big Coal and celebrated his state's five-fold increase in record coal exports.

Madigan Pitches Fix For Country's Worst-Funded State Pension System

Reuters | Posted 05.01.2013 | Chicago

By Karen Pierog CHICAGO, April 30 (Reuters) - Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on Tuesday proposed a comprehensive plan to fix t...

Cable: A Recession Proof Industry

Barbara Popovic | Posted 04.29.2013 | Chicago
Barbara Popovic

The number of U.S. cable TV subscribers decreased over the last decade. At the same time, the average monthly cable bill went up 84 percent. llinois welcomes healthy business partners. But Illinois residents need and deserve laws from the legislature that protect the public.

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock Puts Big Rumor To Rest

Posted 04.27.2013 | Chicago

Putting an end to months of speculation that he would seek the Illinois GOP nomination for governor in 2014, U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock has decided to opt...

Joe Walsh: 'It's Time For Civil Disobedience' On Concealed Carry Law

Posted 04.16.2013 | Chicago

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, long a Tea Party favorite, is urging Illinoisans to "break the law" amid the state's current lack of a concealed carry law...

Kentuckians Stop AT&T, Illinois Up Next

Barbara Popovic | Posted 04.12.2013 | Politics
Barbara Popovic

The large telecom company wanted to abandon a commitment to provide land line telephone service to everyone in the state.

Robin Kelly Sworn In To Replace Jackson Jr. In Congress

AP | Associated Press | Posted 04.11.2013 | Chicago

WASHINGTON — Former Illinois state Rep. Robin Kelly was sworn in Thursday as the newest member of the House, taking over the seat held for 17 ye...

State Considering $2.5 Billion Bond Deal To Catch Up On Bill Backlog

Reuters | Posted 04.11.2013 | Chicago

April 10 (Reuters) - Illinois would add $2.5 billion to its credit card balance to pay old bills--including $2 billion owed to Medicaid providers--u...

Ex-Bear Loses Mayoral Bid, More Suburban Election Results

Posted 04.10.2013 | Chicago

Former Illinois state Rep. Robin Kelly's win in the special election to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress was not the only contest Chicago-area vo...

2 Republican Reps Says They'll Back Illinois Gay Marriage Bill

Posted 04.08.2013 | Chicago

Two Republican state representatives have announced their support for the marriage equality bill currently under consideration by the Illinois state l...

Pension Fix Faces Political, Legal Hurdles

Reuters | Posted 04.08.2013 | Chicago

By Karen Pierog CHICAGO, April 7 (Reuters) - Illinois lawmakers begin a two-month push on Monday to enact major pension reform, under ...

Public Channels at Risk in Illinois Cable Law Renewal

Barbara Popovic | Posted 04.05.2013 | Chicago
Barbara Popovic

Members of the Keep Us Connected Coalition are urging the Illinois Legislature to protect public, education and government (PEG) access channels in th...

Illinois House OKs Major Pension Reform Bill

Reuters | Posted 05.22.2013 | Chicago

By Joanne von Alroth SPRINGFIELD, Ill. March 21 (Reuters) - The Illinois House on Thursday voted to drastically limit ...

State Senate OKs Another Small Pension Reform Piece

Reuters | Posted 05.21.2013 | Chicago

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 20 (Reuters) - The Illinois Senate passed another small piece of pension reform on Wednesday with a measure aimed at squeez...

House Takes Baby Steps To Rein In Public Pension Costs

Reuters | Posted 05.15.2013 | Chicago

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 14 (Reuters) - The Illinois House of Representatives continued its piecemeal approach to reforming the state's sagging publ...

U.S. Senator Would Make History With Reelection

Posted 03.11.2013 | Chicago

Senator Dick Durbin is going for the history books, ending months of speculation over whether the popular three-term senator from Illinois will run ag...