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Pritzker signs pension consolidation bill into law

649 funds will be combined into two   By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois Jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com   SPRINGFIELD — A new law signed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker Wednesday will consolidate 649 downstate and suburban police and firefighter pension funds into just two. Pritzker signed the measure, passed in the recent fall veto session, in Chicago…

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Farmers gather for state’s first Hemp Summit

Some had better luck than others in Illinois’ first year of legal hemp production By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan said Tuesday that interest in the newly-legalized hemp industry continues to build, but more work needs to be done for the industry to mature. Sullivan…

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U.S. Supreme Court won’t review Illinois ‘felony murder’ law

  But legislators may change law allowing convictions for deaths caused by a third party   By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com   SPRINGFIELD – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal challenging a controversial state law that allows someone to be convicted of murder if a death occurs during…

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Illinois harvest running behind schedule

  Record spring rainfall led to late planting, smaller harvest By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — As the month of December arrived, many Illinois farmers were still working to harvest their corn and soybeans — the state’s two largest field crops — and agriculture officials are anticipating one of the smallest harvests…

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Report: Illinois public education improving, but much more work lies ahead

45% of adults had post-secondary degree in 2018; goal is 60% by 2025   By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com   SPRINGFIELD — A group that advocates for public education in Illinois released a report indicating the state has made some progress in improving educational outcomes over the past five years, but it still…

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CAPITOL RECAP: Full search warrant suggests broad corruption probe of Sen. Martin Sandoval

  By Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Senate Democrats on Friday, Oct. 11, released copies of the full, unredacted search warrant that was executed on state Sen. Martin Sandoval’s office Sept. 24, and it reveals a wide-ranging probe into possible corruption involving a red-light camera company, construction businesses, a large utility company and other Chicago-area…

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Aunt Martha’s awarded additional federal family planning dollars

Illinois’ only Title X provider to receive an extra $825,000   By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com   SPRINGFIELD — Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, the only Illinois organization currently participating in the federal family planning program, was awarded more than double its initial grant after several providers across the country declined their funding…

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GOP lawmaker calls for state ethics task force

Rep. McCombie says ‘cost of corruption is too high to ignore’ By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — A Republican state lawmaker said Wednesday she plans to introduce legislation to establish a State Ethics Task Force to tighten ethics rules within Illinois government. “To have the public’s trust, we must take action whenever…

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