Statehouse News | The Rock River Times

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon: Strip clubs should fund rape crisis centers

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — An advocate for sexual and domestic violence survivors, Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (D) pledged to
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February 17, 2012 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 6 Comments

PAC challenges Illinois campaign contribution limits

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Campaign contribution limits in Illinois are being tested in federal court only a
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February 17, 2012 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Report: State at risk of losing a generation of children

Staff Report CHICAGO — According to the Illinois Kids Count 2012 report, children are caught in a “budget crossfire” at both
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February 15, 2012 | Also published in Online Exclusives> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Tax credit expiration could slow wind’s rise in Illinois, but still plenty to export

By Anthony Brino Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The federal tax credit that has supported wind energy for almost 20 years
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February 6, 2012 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

State of the State: Quinn lays out jobs plan, cloudy on funding source

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) said Wednesday, Feb. 1, that increased state spending
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February 1, 2012 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Madigan sues Standard & Poor’s for allegedly enabling financial meltdown

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit Jan. 25 against Standard & Poor’s for its
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January 25, 2012 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

12 percent increase in state higher education funding goes to pensions

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — llinois’ 12 percent increase in higher education spending this year isn’t going to
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January 25, 2012 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 3 Comments

Video, still cameras to be allowed in Illinois trial courts

Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Supreme Court announced Jan. 25 it will begin allowing video and still cameras in
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January 25, 2012 | Also published in News> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Bill seeks to codify ruling that search warrants are public records

Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –– Friday, Jan. 20, state Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Riverside, filed legislation, House Bill 4032, to codify Illinois
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January 25, 2012 | Also published in News> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Nuclear plants pose risks to drinking water for Illinois

Staff Report CHICAGO — The drinking water for 652,000 people in Illinois could be at risk of radioactive contamination from a
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January 25, 2012 | Also published in Online Exclusives> Statehouse News | 9 Comments

Attorney General shares top consumer complaints of 2011

Staff Report CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan released her list of the top 10 consumer complaints for 2011, revealing
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January 18, 2012 | Also published in Online Exclusives> Statehouse News | 3 Comments

More than 180 citations made in statewide disability parking crackdown

Online Staff Report The Secretary of State Police issued 187 citations during a statewide crackdown on people who illegally park in
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January 6, 2012 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

New motor vehicle laws take effect in January

Online Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, Illinois State Police (ISP) will begin enforcing new motor vehicle laws
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December 30, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

New laws backed by Illinois Attorney General take effect Jan. 1

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — New laws to crack down on repeat methamphetamine offenders and to strengthen the Illinois DNA database
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December 30, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Two key traffic laws to take effect Jan. 1

Online Staff Report Two pieces of legislation supported this year by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will take effect as
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December 27, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

$335 million settlement reached with Countrywide/Bank of America over discriminatory lending

Online Staff Report WASHINGTON, D.C. — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 21
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December 21, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 4 Comments

Jesse White notes 9 percent decrease in alcohol-related fatalities, reminds drivers to be safe during holidays

Online Staff Report Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White noted that alcohol-related fatalities have decreased by 9 percent from the previous
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December 21, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Illinois legislators extend biodiesel program for five years

Online Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Members of the Illinois House and Senate recently approved the extension of the state’s biodiesel
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December 19, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Illinois tax talks far from over despite tax breaks passing

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers’ decision to push through controversial tax breaks comes at a time
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December 14, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Fed crackdown on online food stamp fraud empowers Illinois

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The federal government is trying to crack down on abuse of food stamp
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December 9, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 1 Comment

Report shows nearly a third of Illinois residents poor or low-income

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — Poverty, worse in Illinois today than during the recession, grew from pre- to post-recession by 16
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December 9, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

State Police not required to release FOID information, court rules

Online Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois State Police officials announced Dec. 8 they are not required to release the names
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December 8, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 1 Comment

Wachovia, Wells Fargo to pay $58.7 million for bid-rigging schemes

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Dec. 8 a $58.75 million multistate settlement with Wells Fargo
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December 8, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Ruling bans Nicor from telemarketing ComfortGuard pipe-maintenance program

Online Staff Report After years of warning consumers about an overpriced and rarely used pipe-maintenance program marketed by Nicor, the Citizens
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December 7, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years for corruption charges, says he’s ‘unbelievably sorry’

Online Staff Report Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, 54, was sentenced to 14 years in prison Wednesday, Dec. 7, on
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December 7, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Ban on most electronic waste in landfills begins in January

Online Staff Report Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) reminds Illinois residents that the state’s Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act with
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December 7, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 2 Comments

Closing Illinois institutions: Cost savings or cost shifting?

By Benjamin Yount Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Closing mental health and developmental institutions in Illinois will save at least $50
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December 5, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Congress could help states collect online sales taxes

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinoisans who buy the latest best-selling book as a Christmas gift on Amazon.com
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December 2, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Nation & World> Statehouse News | 1 Comment

Prisons, mental health facilities saved; Quinn friendlier on budget

By Benjamin Yount Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois’ seven endangered prisons and mental health facilities will stay open for at
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November 30, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 1 Comment

State Senate passes electric rate hikes to underwrite dirty coal

By Environment Illinois SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Senate voted Nov. 29 to force Illinois citizens and businesses to purchase power
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November 30, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Pension double dipping could end soon

By Benjamin Yount Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois will not retrieve the millions of dollars being paid to retired union
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November 29, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Disability parking crackdown results in more than 30 citations statewide

Online Staff Report Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that the Secretary of State Police issued 31 citations over the
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November 28, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 1 Comment

Report shows Illinois making progress in making after school programs available to all children

Online Staff Report WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new assessment of states’ progress toward offering after school programs to all children who
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November 28, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Dec. 2 deadline for statewide school efficiency survey

Online Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — If you have ideas about how Illinois school districts can operate more efficiently and enhance
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November 25, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Survey finds toxic or dangerous toys on store shelves

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to Illinois Public
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November 25, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Clean cars would save Illinoisans $11 million this Thanksgiving weekend

By Environment Illinois CHICAGO — As Illinoisans prepare for one of the busiest holiday travel weekends of the year, a new
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November 23, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Public business on private electronics subject to FOIA

Staff Report SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Press Association (IPA) applauds the binding opinion issued Nov. 15 by the Illinois Attorney General
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November 23, 2011 | Also published in Online Exclusives> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

State Police step up roadway patrols for Thanksgiving

Staff Report PECATONICA, Ill. — Illinois State Police (ISP) and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state are gearing up
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November 23, 2011 | Also published in Online Exclusives> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Illinois needs $1 billion more for FY13 budget

By Benjamin Yount Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Every new dollar Illinois brings in next year is likely going to public
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November 22, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Family Reading Night set for Nov. 17 throughout Illinois

Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is urging families in Illinois to spend
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November 16, 2011 | Also published in Online Exclusives> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Illinois Treasurer hopes to reunite service members with war medals

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — The vault beneath the Illinois State Capitol contains thousands of lost or forgotten valuables, including almost
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November 15, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

New plan forms to keep state facilities open, for now

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Notices have gone out to nearly 200 Tinley Park Mental Health Center employees
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November 11, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Illinois home sales up 19.9 percent in third quarter

Online Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS (IAR) third quarter 2011 report, Illinois home sales
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November 11, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Home & Garden> Real Estate News> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Wage increases for state employees slow, while state’s largest public-sector union donates heavily to campaigns

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Pay increases for public employees in Illinois could become a trickle under a
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November 8, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Audit recommends fewer state-owned vehicles

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois state employees aren’t driving state-owned passenger vehicles enough. “It doesn’t make sense to
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November 7, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | 1 Comment

Pop tax proposal on sugary drinks bubbles up again in Illinois

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — If every man, woman and child in Illinois were to drink 18 ounces
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November 3, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

Some of governor’s $376-million budget veto could be spent to rescue Rockford’s Singer, six other state facilities from closure

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) used his veto pen in an attempt to
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November 1, 2011 | Also published in Happening Now> Statehouse News | Comments (0)

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