State panel looks for isolation room answers State panel looks for isolation room answers Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Legislators and advocates began discussions Tuesday of what action the state can take to counteract the overuse of physical restraint and forced isolation of students in Illinois schools, particularly those serving students with special needs.
Attorney General seeks accelerated ratepayer refund from electric utilities Attorney General seeks accelerated ratepayer refund from electric utilities Monday, January 6, 2020 Two of the state’s largest electric utilities owe their customers a combined $543 million in refunds, according to state regulators, but there is sharp disagreement over how much time the companies should have to pay it back.
Comptroller to end state assistance in red-light camera debt collection Comptroller to end state assistance in red-light camera debt collection Monday, January 6, 2020 Pressure is mounting on red-light camera operators as Democratic Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Monday that, beginning Feb. 6, her office will no longer assist municipalities in... Read more
Dispensaries report smooth rollout of legalized marijuana Dispensaries report smooth rollout of legalized marijuana Thursday, January 2, 2020 The first day of legal sales of recreational marijuana in Illinois went “extraordinarily well,” according to one industry representative, with total sales on Jan. 1 of nearly $3.2... Read more
New year will bring a higher minimum wage, legalization of marijuana New year will bring a higher minimum wage, legalization of marijuana Thursday, December 26, 2019 The state’s minimum wage will increase by $1 hourly, recreational marijuana will go on sale to those over 21 years of age, and some state taxes and licensing fees will increase when the... Read more
CAPITOL BRIEFS: State to receive $40.2 million in early childhood development grants CAPITOL BRIEFS: State to receive $40.2 million in early childhood development grants Monday, December 23, 2019 Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced Monday that the state will receive $40.2 million in federal grants over the next three years to improve early childhood programs. Read more
Wins and losses, praise and criticism, for Pritzker and Democrats in year one Wins and losses, praise and criticism, for Pritzker and Democrats in year one Wednesday, December 18, 2019 A tumultuous year in Illinois politics draws to its close as the historic legislative accomplishments of May and June give way to a flurry of ongoing federal investigative activity, resignations... Read more
Pritzker signs pension consolidation bill into law Pritzker signs pension consolidation bill into law Wednesday, December 18, 2019 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. Read more