Abortion rights bill signed, but what happened to the effort to repeal parental notification law?

By Hannah Meisel  - June 13, 2019

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act into law Wednesday, touting the measure as “a giant step forward for women’s health.” The new law makes Illinois one of most progressive states in the nation when it comes to abortion.

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Appointed State Rep. defends vote for gaming bill his father lobbied to pass

By Hannah Meisel  - June 12, 2019

When State Rep. Nathan Reitz (D-Steeleville) was sworn into the Illinois House last month, negotiations for an omnibus gaming expansion bill were well on their way in Springfield — a bill that would ultimately include six new licenses for areas

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After ‘offshoring’ employees outlawed, governor’s office will use grant fund to pay certain employees

By Hannah Meisel  - June 10, 2019

Some state employees will be paid out of a fund that accepts both public and private dollars under a change to state law included in the budget implementation bill passed by the General Assembly during overtime session last weekend and

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Mendoza: I will hold Pritzker accountable ‘exact same way’ I did Rauner

By Hannah Meisel  - June 7, 2019

Comptroller Susana Mendoza stayed out of sight this spring after finishing fifth in the race for the mayor in February. After the loss, Mendoza went back to work in Springfield, since she won a full four-year term in November —

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Mendoza on the state’s budget and pensions: ‘It’s looking good’

By Hannah Meisel  - June 6, 2019

Comptroller Susana Mendoza stayed out of sight this spring after finishing fifth in the race for the mayor in February. After the loss, Mendoza went back to work in Springfield, since she won a full four-year term in November —

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With much fanfare, Pritzker signs budget — but pensions, graduated tax fights loom

By Hannah Meisel  - June 6, 2019

Rookie Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday signed bills approving the state’s operating budget and revenues, along with the rates for a graduated income tax, should voters approve the tax on the November 2020 ballot.

Depending on repeated unexpected revenues ‘unrealistic and imprudent’: IDOR chief David Harris

By Hannah Meisel  - June 5, 2019

Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris was one of the small group of Republican legislators who defied former Gov. Bruce Rauner in the summer of 2017 when he not only voted for a tax hike to end a two-year

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3rd time, no charm: Elected School Board bills fails again amid Lightfoot opposition

By Heather Cherone  - June 4, 2019

Amid the high-profile and big-ticket legislative victories Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats reveled in Sunday night, at least one big task was left undone. For the third time in as many years, a measure that would have ended mayoral

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Illinois is poised to become the gambling capital of the Midwest

By Jason Grotto, Pro Publica Illinois, and Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ  - June 4, 2019

An 816-page bill introduced and passed by the General Assembly over the weekend will, if fully realized, transform Illinois into the gambling capital of the Midwest. The legislation legalizes sports gambling; sanctions six new casinos, including one in Chicago; increases

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Pritzker, Democrats take victory lap while Republicans find reasons to celebrate

By Hannah Meisel  - June 3, 2019

Shortly after the Senate adjourned for the spring early Sunday evening, aides decked out Gov. JB Pritzker’s office with giant multi-colored signs touting their accomplishments: legalizing marijuana, putting the question of a graduated income tax on the November 2020 ballot,

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