Statehouse Insider: Is state planning for a strike?
SPRINGFIELD -- The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is certainly rattling the saber when it comes to the idea of a strike by state workers.
View ArticleState budget crisis hampers progress in tobacco prevention
Deadbeat Illinois: Illinois receives more than $250 million annually from the landmark 1998 settlement with tobacco companies that promised state governments an unending stream of cash and at least...
View ArticleMedicaid contract's savings uncertain
SPRINGFIELD -- The fact that the largest union representing state workers is fighting to alter a state contract designed to cut $350 million in waste from Illinois’ Medicaid program surprised some...
View ArticleStatehouse Insider: AFSCME contract not a done deal yet
SPRINGFIELD -- There was a certain amount of rejoicing last week when it was announced Gov. PAT QUINN’s administration had reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the American...
View ArticleQuinn to deliver budget speech amid ongoing state financial problems
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Pat Quinn is scheduled to outline his plan for next year's budget Wednesday against a backdrop of deep budget problems that continue to dog the state despite a steep increase in the...
View ArticleState police: $25 million needed to implement concealed carry
SPRINGFIELD -- As the state of Illinois continues to pile up unpaid bills, the agency responsible for creating Illinois’ first-ever process to issue concealed-carry permits estimates start-up costs...
View ArticleDeadbeat Illinois: Schoolchildren lose out with lack of state aid
GALESBURG — It's hard to visualize what a $768 million school funding shortfall looks like. It's even harder to imagine tacking an additional $400 million onto that figure, but that's exactly what Gov....
View ArticleStatehouse Insider: Budget speech had right theme, just no details
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. PAT QUINN delivered his budget speech last week, and it was another of those confounding efforts of his.
View ArticleDeadbeat Illinois: State lags in payments to training center
ROCKFORD — For many who had worked at Malcolm Eaton Enterprises in Freeport, it felt like getting laid off. The training center and workplace for developmentally disabled adults no longer can take on...
View ArticleStatehouse Insider: How to get things done in the Land of Lincoln
Today’s topic is Things They Don’t Teach in High School Government Class.
View ArticlePension reform creeps along in Illinois legislature
After months of relatively little movement in public on pension cutbacks, the Illinois General Assembly last week erupted into a flurry of activity last week.
View ArticleDeadbeat Illinois: Central Illinois seniors suffer as state delays payments
FARMINGTON — Brian and Susan Platt have long been used to the state being behind on bills to Spoon River Home Health Services, but they've tried to roll with the punches. But the state's persistent...
View ArticleStatehouse Insider: Did Madigan have the right approach all along?
For about a month now, House Speaker MICHAEL MADIGAN, D-Chicago, has spent some time every week having the House vote on various pension reform ideas.
View ArticleMedical marijuana legalization effort 'one or two' votes short in Illinois House
SPRINGFIELD — Year after year, Ana DeVarose has watched Illinois lawmakers vote down legislation legalizing medical marijuana — legislation that could stop people from seeing her as a criminal. On...
View ArticleDeadbeat Illinois: Charity owed millions is turning people away
Chicago social worker Frank Harris and his staff have felt the pain of turning away even more people seeking treatment for their drug addictions as Lutheran Social Services of Illinois has taken steps...
View ArticleDeadbeat Illinois: Expedited pay helps smaller pharmacies
GALESBURG — Pharmacies are not immune to the state's backlog in vendor payments, but the transferring of some patients to a new Medicare plan has helped smaller shops keep their doors open. Read the...
View ArticleShould psychologists be able to prescribe medication?
If past performance is any indication, legislation allowing trained psychologists to prescribe medication to patients, rather than referring them to psychiatrists or physicians, is unlikely to become...
View ArticleStatehouse Insider: Quinn has been in Mexico, but don't tell anybody
Psst. Wanna hear a secret? Gov. Pat Quinn went to Mexico on a trade mission last week.
View ArticleState lawmakers return to Capitol with heavy agenda
Spring break is coming to a close, meaning school kids are returning to the classroom and Illinois lawmakers this week will be returning to the Capitol. Whether pension reform, gay marriage, gambling...
View ArticleDeadbeat Illinois: Delayed payments trickle down to cities, counties
BELVIDERE — City and county services are among the potential casualties of Illinois' delinquent payment of hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to municipalities. The state owes Illinois...
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