Illinois Capital News
Lawmakers call for review of Goodwill’s state contracts after reports of disabled worker layoffs
Pressure still on Illinois not-for-profit despite its reversal of controversial decision By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois Jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — State lawmakers are calling for a review of state contracts and funding awarded to Land of Lincoln Goodwill, a not-for-profit thrift store chain, after a news report revealed the company’s decision to lay off several…
Read MoreSecretary of state wants protection of undocumented immigrants made law
His office has denied ICE, others access to all driver’s license photos By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ secretary of state is pursuing legislation to codify the office’s long-held policy of not giving federal agencies full access to its database of driver’s license photographs as a means to identify…
Read MoreGovernor calls on flood-affected residents to report damage
State becomes eligible for federal relief once $19 million in total damages logged By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois Jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office is urging Illinoisans to report any damages caused by recent flooding to their county’s emergency management agencies in order to increase the likelihood of the state…
Read MoreAudit: State’s technology department full of waste, unequipped to deal with disaster
‘Technician error’ led to 3 percent loss of data storage this week By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois Jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — In its first two years of existence, the state’s lead technology agency was not equipped to handle technology disasters, maintained servers and computers with inadequate or nonexistent anti-virus protection, failed to implement…
Read MoreState lawmakers who voted to reject pay raises violated the law, judge rules
Two former lawmakers seek back pay, likely opening legal door for others By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Every lawmaker who served in the General Assembly between 2009 and 2018 might be entitled to back pay, a Cook County judge decided. Former governors and other state office holders might…
Read MoreCommunity colleges weighing options for offering cannabis programs
New state law authorizes training programs, but federal education officials advise caution By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Some community colleges and four-year universities in Illinois are exploring the possibility of launching educational programs to train people in the business of growing and marketing marijuana in light of a new state law…
Read MoreState leaders scoff at legal challenge to state bonds
Illinois Policy Institute leader and investment firm manager challenge legality of $14.3 billion in state borrowing By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – State officials in Illinois reacted with scorn this week to a legal filing in Sangamon County that challenges the constitutionality of two sets of bonds the state issued in 2003…
Read MoreAbortion rights advocates plan to tackle Parental Notification next
Opponents warn the law provides “safeguards” for minors By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law one of the most liberal reproductive health care measures in the country last month, but advocates and legislators say their work ensuring abortion is treated in statute the same…
Read MoreRural pharmacies to receive state financial help
State begins implementing $10 million Critical Access Care Pharmacy Program By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Independent pharmacies that serve Medicaid patients in small communities in Illinois will soon start receiving additional payments from the state. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services confirmed Monday that it has begun…
Read MoreCigarette, gas taxes will increase July 1 with Pritzker signature
Governor expected to sign bills used to fund capital infrastructure plan By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com The first wave of tax increases that will pay for the state’s $45 billion capital infrastructure plan will take effect Monday, July 1, pending Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signing of a pair of bills. …
Read More