Appointee Jim Montgomery will be responsible for overseeing administrative board operations, including bolstering domestic violence prevention training and “other important equity-based trainings for board members,” according to the governor’s office.
Stories by Jerry Nowicki — Capitol News Illinois
Pritzker’s Agency Heads Questioned by Lawmakers on $1.1 Billion Revenue Proposals
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed spending plan anticipates $52.9 billion in revenue, with new funds raised by increasing certain corporate tax rates, lowering personal and business income tax deductions and making other tax changes.
With Recession Fears Subsiding, New State Economic Forecast Expects ‘Firm but Steady Growth’
The state’s two main fiscal forecasting agencies agree: Illinois’ finances will see a strong close in the final 3 ½ months of the fiscal year before things tighten a bit next year.
Illinois Supreme Court Denies State Lawmaker’s Bid to Vacate Gun Ban Ruling
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the ban on the sale, possession and manufacture of a long list of firearms, high-capacity magazines and certain accessories in January 2023. State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, quickly challenged it.
Copays Take Effect for Illinois-Funded Immigrant Health Programs as Cost Estimates Continue to Decline
The Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors programs provide state-funded Medicaid-like benefits to individuals aged 42 and over who would otherwise be eligible for the federal low-income health care program if not for their immigration status.
Pritzker Signs Measure Allowing New Small-Scale Nuclear Technology in Illinois
The measure does not allow new large-scale power generation facilities like the six plants that are already operational in the state, but rather allows for new smaller-scale emergent technology.
Illinois Gets 9th Recent Credit Upgrade; Pritzker Administration Faces Scrutiny Over COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Claims
The upgrade came from Fitch Ratings, the last remaining holdout of the nation’s three major credit reporting agencies to advance the state’s status to “A” grade. Collectively, Fitch, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have given the state nine credit upgrades since 2021.
Illinois Looks to Curb Vehicle Theft With Grants to Police Task Forces
Six interagency law enforcement task forces received grant funding this spring to combat car thefts through an initiative of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office.
Illinois Republicans Focus on Unity and Avoid Trump During GOP Day at State Fair
During Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair, state party leaders sought a message of unity ahead of the 2024 presidential election. While former President Donald Trump’s name and political slogans were visible on signage and clothing, the speakers generally kept their focus on Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Trump, Rauner, Policy Wins on Democrats’ Minds During State Fair’s Political Festivities
Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner remained popular punching bags for Illinois Democrats as they rallied in Springfield Wednesday, while the party also touted a long list of recent policy wins. Republicans will have their own rally Thursday.
160 Years Later, Activist Elizabeth Packard Honored in Place of Abusive Psychiatrist She Exposed
A state-run mental health center in Springfield is being renamed to honor the woman who publicized its former namesake’s abusive methods.
State Ends Fiscal Year With Record $50.7 Billion in Base Revenue, Sparking Small Surplus
State revenues once again reached a record high in the fiscal year that ended June 30, creating what Gov. J.B. Pritzker called a “one-time” budget surplus of over $700 million.
Expiring Tax Relief Measures Mean 1% Grocery Tax to Resume, Gas Tax to Increase in Illinois on July 1
Amid record-high inflation last spring, the General Assembly temporarily waived Illinois’ grocery tax for the coming fiscal year and delayed the annual increase in the state’s motor fuel tax for six months.
Former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Portrait Added to State Capitol’s ‘Hall of Governors’
The Winnetka Republican-turned-Florida resident on Monday unveiled the portrait painted by Chicago Artist Richard Halstead and privately funded by Rauner. He downplayed the artwork as “not that big a deal” and declined to stray far from a message of “thanks” to the people of Illinois.
