SE Illinois News

From Prairie State Wire

National labor law attorney: Legal marijuana doesn't give employees a 'get out of jail free card'

By Angela Underwood | 5 years ago

Since Illinois has become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, national labor lawyer and legal analyst Michelle Lee Flores suggests the Prairie State began to prepare for employment law issues.

Senate committee addresses supplier diversity in Illinois universities

By Angela Underwood | Jul 27, 2018

Minority vendors’ lack of access to contracts at Illinois public universities was the subject of the inaugural hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Supplier Diversity on July 24.

Windhorst visits Southern Illinois, tours WSIU

By Angela Underwood | Jul 6, 2018

Republican House candidate Patrick Windhorst recently toured the Southern Illinois campus and the WSIU Public Broadcasting facilities.

Bills to overhaul worker's compensation in Illinois still alive despite vocal opposition

By Angela Underwood | Jul 5, 2018

State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and others recently spoke out against two eerily familiar Democrat-sponsored bills that would overhaul worker's compensation in Illinois.

From Prairie State Wire

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families.

From Chicago City Wire

Fate of Law Enforcement Gang Database Acts up in the air

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

SB275, also known as the Law Enforcement Gang Database Act, passed the Senate with a vote of 30-19 on May 31, but then was left to linger as Illinois' spring legislative session came to an end.

From Chambana Sun

Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group touts 'groundbreaking' legislation

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After 17 meetings, the Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group is setting new standards for state-funded schools.

Rauner to decide if he should diminish his own power related to healthcare waiver

By Angela Underwood | Jun 14, 2018

It is now up to Gov. Bruce Rauner to decide if he can file a federal healthcare waiver without the General Assembly’s approval.

From Prairie State Wire

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than ever.

Severin sends fellow lawmakers off with a T-shirt

By Angela Underwood | Jun 12, 2018

Rep. Dave Severin (R-Marion) had some parting gifts for his peers during the May 31 House floor debate.

From Rock Island Today

Despite GOP's concerns, gun bill passes Senate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline) rose during the May 30 Senate floor debate and argued against a firearm bill.

From Prairie State Wire

Medical cannabis for short-term pain is questionable, some GOP lawmakers insist

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill allowing for temporary access to medical cannabis in order to battle the opioid epidemic is in the hands of the governor.

Righter and House GOP members question Firearms Restraining Order Act

By Angela Underwood | Jun 11, 2018

Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and some state representatives had a slew questions during a new firearm act debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite GOP concerns, graduate research assistants one step closer to being able to unionize

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill to amend the Illinois Labor Relations Act to allow graduate research assistants to unionize concerned three GOP lawmakers during the May 30 House floor debate.

From Metro East Sun

Equal-pay legislation passes Senate despite opposition from GOP

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Equal-pay legislation was as unpopular in the Senate as it was in the House.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite Senate raving about $38.5 billion bipartisan budget for FY2019, the numbers don't add up

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The $38.5 billion budget passed without a revenue estimate is not what it seems.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP fails to keep vetoed bill from going back to governor's desk

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be going back to his desk.

From McHenry Times

Despite opposition from Illinois State Rifle Association, gun licensing bill sent to Gov. Rauner's desk

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

It is still unclear whether Gov. Bruce Rauner will sign the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act into law.

From Prairie State Wire

Breen and Bellock question partisan task force

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

During the May 28 House floor debate, state Reps. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) wanted to know why a Democrat-proposed task force was clearly partisan in membership.

From Prairie State Wire

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.