Archived Stories
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…
Read MoreFarmers 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…
Read MoreResearchers suggest more state funding for schools would help lower property taxes
Proposal comes ahead of special property tax task force report By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — A pair of researchers are suggesting the best way to reduce property taxes in Illinois is for the state to take over a greater share of funding for public schools and consolidate some units of local…
Read MoreU.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…
Read MoreIllinois 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…
Read MoreOne of Just Three Left, USS Arizona Survivor Recalls Attack on Pearl Harbor
by Phil Luciano (Peoria) Journal Star Looking for a job and a future, Ken Potts saw little hope in central Illinois. Born and raised in tiny Honey Bend, Potts, like other teens on the brink of manhood, found few career opportunities as the Great Depression continued to squeeze America. So, when he turned 18, he…
Read MoreReport: 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…
Read MoreCAPITOL 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…
Read MoreAunt 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…
Read MoreGOP 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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