State News

Jesse White’s Legislation to Expand the Organ/Tissue Donor Registry Passes House Committee

Friday, February 24 by Jc Tinsley

Secretary of State Jesse White’s legislation that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to register for the state’s First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry when they receive their driver’s license or identification card passed the House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee unanimously.House Bill 1805, sponsored...

Illinois Masonic Children’s Home in Murphysboro to Remain Open

Friday, February 24 by Jc Tinsley

In October 2016, the Illinois Masonic Grand Lodge announced it would be closing their Illinois Masonic Children’s Homes. Throughout the winter, Masonic leadership pursued talks with various agencies to examine possible options to preserve this valuable service. We are pleased to announce that as...

Severin Votes to Deny Lawmakers a Pay Increase

Friday, February 24 by Jc Tinsley

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) voted to deny state lawmaker pay increases during a meeting of the House Executive Committee on Thursday morning. The Benton Republican and first-term lawmaker had filed an identical piece of legislation, HB 3790.“House Bill 643 will deny lawmakers an...

Rep Reis Hosts Miss Teen Illinois in Springfield

Friday, February 24 by Jc Tinsley

State Representative David Reis (R - Willow Hill) is pictured here with Carmi resident and newly crowned Miss Illinois Teen USA Olivia Bohleber. Bohleber was in Springfield on Thursday February 16 to visit with lawmakers...

Rauner administration statement on AFSCME’s strike authorization vote

Friday, February 24 by Jc Tinsley

The Rauner Administration released the following statement in response to AFSCME’s strike authorization vote. The following is attributable to General Counsel Dennis Murashko:“The vote to authorize a strike is an attack on our state's hardworking taxpayers and all those who rely...

Madigan Appoints Task Force to Continue Work on Education Funding Reform

Thursday, February 23 by Jc Tinsley

Speaker Michael J. Madigan is forming a bipartisan House task force to continue working on an equitable education funding formula and address questions a state commission recently left unanswered.“The question of how Illinois funds our public schools is one that affects...

Earthquake Education Kiosk Unveiled at University Mall in Carbondale

Thursday, February 23 by Jc Tinsley

An interactive kiosk is now available to help residents of southern Illinois learn how to reduce damage to their homes and prevent injuries during an earthquake. The earthquake education kiosk includes information about earthquake hazards in Illinois, safety tips and more than 80...

IDOA SEEKS TO DECLARE BOXWOOD BLIGHT A NUISANCE IN ILLINOIS

Thursday, February 23 by Jc Tinsley

The Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to initiate the required regulatory steps to declare any plants infected with Boxwood Blight a nuisance in the State of Illinois.A public information meeting has been scheduled to discuss the Department's intent to declare Boxwood Blight a nuisance...

Governor Addresses State Board of Education to Emphasize Importance of Strong Accountability Standards

Thursday, February 23 by Jc Tinsley

Governor Bruce Rauner today addressed the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) meeting to advocate for more rigorous standards to prioritize equity and closing achievement gaps.As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) each state is required to submit a...

ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT ASSIGNS CIRCUIT JUDGE TO FILL VACANCY IN FIFTH DISTRICT APPELLATE COURT

Tuesday, February 21 by Jc Tinsley

Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced that Circuit Judge David K. Overstreet of the Second Judicial Circuit has been assigned as an Appellate Court Justice in the Fifth District Appellate Court.Judge Overstreet was assigned to fill the vacancy...