West Central Reporter

From Prairie State Wire

National labor law attorney: Legal marijuana doesn't give employees a 'get out of jail free card'

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Since Illinois has become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, national labor lawyer and legal analyst Michelle Lee Flores suggests the Prairie State began to prepare for employment law issues.

From Prairie State Wire

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families.

Running as third-party gubernatorial candidate won't be easy, McCann admits

By Angela Underwood | Jun 26, 2018

He may be retiring, but state Sen. William “Sam” McCann (R-Plainview) has big hopes for the future.

From Prairie State Wire

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than ever.

From South Cook News

Motor fuel tax bill fails to move forward

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A gut and replacement that became the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) bill stalled on the last day of the legislative session.

From South Cook News

Meier accuses Davis of lying about adolescent counseling bill

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) accused Rep. William Davis (D-Chicago) of lying about HB 1445, which would allow adolescents to be seen by a counselor for up to 12 sessions, instead of five, without informing their parents or guardians, it sure seemed like it.

From Rock Island Today

Despite GOP's concerns, gun bill passes Senate

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline) rose during the May 30 Senate floor debate and argued against a firearm bill.

From Prairie State Wire

Medical cannabis for short-term pain is questionable, some GOP lawmakers insist

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A bill allowing for temporary access to medical cannabis in order to battle the opioid epidemic is in the hands of the governor.

From SE Illinois News

Righter and House GOP members question Firearms Restraining Order Act

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and some state representatives had a slew questions during a new firearm act debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite GOP concerns, graduate research assistants one step closer to being able to unionize

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A bill to amend the Illinois Labor Relations Act to allow graduate research assistants to unionize concerned three GOP lawmakers during the May 30 House floor debate.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Out-of-state residents at IMSA rejected by GOP

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Opening up the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) to out-of-state residents has some GOP lawmakers concerned.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite Senate raving about $38.5 billion bipartisan budget for FY2019, the numbers don't add up

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

The $38.5 billion budget passed without a revenue estimate is not what it seems.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP fails to keep vetoed bill from going back to governor's desk

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

A bill vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be going back to his desk.

From Prairie State Wire

Breen and Bellock question partisan task force

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

During the May 28 House floor debate, state Reps. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) wanted to know why a Democrat-proposed task force was clearly partisan in membership.

From Prairie State Wire

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Several GOP lawmakers reject bill that would prevent state from reversing local districts' denial of charter schools

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Allowing local school districts to deny charter school applications is not ideal, according to three GOP lawmakers.

From Prairie State Wire

Lang resigns as House Deputy Majority Leader after being accused of sexual harassment

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

After being accused of sexual harassment by activist Maryann Loncar today -- and a day after he helped pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the state House -- Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) resigned from his leadership role as deputy majority leader.

GOP officials fight against getting rid of prisoner co-pay

By Angela Underwood | May 28, 2018

Teaching incarcerated individuals responsibility and being fair to Illinois taxpayers are key, according to Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford).

From Peoria Standard

Tracy pays tribute to veterans before Memorial Day weekend

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

As the representative for the Quincy Veteran's Home, Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) appropriately expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP members pay their respects during annual Memorial Day tribute

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo), Senate Minority Leader William Brady (R-Bloomington) and Gov. Bruce Rauner reminded Illinoisans of the ultimate sacrifice made by soldiers at a Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance ceremony last week.