West Central Reporter

Swanson questions opposition to Kifowit's Dept. of Veterans' Affairs Act bill

By Kyla Asbury | Mar 18, 2021

After the state auditor general stated his opposition to House Bill 2369, Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) asked bill sponsor Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) how she planned to clear up that opposition.

Bribes provided to Sandoval were government-supplied

By Kyla Asbury | Dec 27, 2020

The bribes that former Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-District 119), who died last week, were government-supplied and not paid directly by SafeSpeed, the Chicago Tribune confirmed, according to WLDS.

911 call center, law enforcement limit access to public

By Kyla Asbury | Apr 17, 2020

Two law enforcement agencies and an emergency communications center are working to limit public access to their offices due to COVID-19.

Tracy says instead of tax increases, departments should take cuts

By Kyla Asbury | Mar 28, 2020

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) said she does not like that Gov. J.B. Pritzker's entire budget is predicated on a tax increase.

From Metro East Sun

McClure wants government to make sacrifices, not taxpayers

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) said he didn't agree with the $1.6 billion in new spending that Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed in his budget address last month.

From Prairie State Wire

Republican lawmakers disappointed in governor's budget proposal

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

Illinois Republicans were disappointed after hearing Gov. J.B. Pritzker's budget proposal last week

From Prairie State Wire

Bipartisan group of lawmakers, fair-mapping advocates speak out against gerrymandering

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

A bipartisan group of legislators and policy watchdogs met Thursday to discuss their commitment to bringing fair district mapping to state and local politics throughout Illinois.

From Prairie State Wire

Republican leaders would have liked more from Pritzker's speech, but will run with 'spirit of collaboration'

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

While House and Senate Republicans were critical of many aspects of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's State of the State address on Wednesday, most remain hopeful that he was sincere about bringing about a spirit of bipartisan collaboration.

From Prairie State Wire

Americans for Prosperity-Illinois urges passage of License to Work Act

By Kyla Asbury | 5 years ago

Americans for Prosperity-Illinois (AFP-IL) recently held a press conference to show its support for a senate bill that would end the practice of suspending state motorists' driver's licenses for non-driving offenses.

Illinois needs independent budget board, political analyst says

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 6, 2019

Political analyst Jim Nowlan insists that Illinois needs to appoint an independent board that will better account for the long-ignored pension crisis, a broken Medicaid system and countless other issues in formulating the state budget.

From Metro East Sun

Sen. McClure speaks out against sentencing bill

By Kyla Asbury | 6 years ago

A bill that would amend the Unified Code of Corrections failed in the Senate last week and was placed on postponed consideration.

Rep. Frese urges House against Pritzker tax plan

By Kyla Asbury | Jun 1, 2019

Illinois state Rep. Randy E. Frese (R-Quincy) urged a No vote on Gov. J.B. Pritzker's graduated income tax proposal during Monday's House session.

From Metro East Sun

Davidsmeyer says new tax structure would raise taxes, cause residents to leave

By Kyla Asbury | 6 years ago

House Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said the graduated income tax will cause Illinois to lose even more residents than it already has.

From Peoria Standard

Rep. Hammond stresses seriousness of tax debate

By Kyla Asbury | 6 years ago

House Rep. Norine K. Hammond (R-Macomb) respects the gravity of changing Illinois' income tax structure, and only wishes more of Springfield's lawmakers did as well.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois Family Institute, others plan Pro-life Rally and Lobby Day on Wednesday

By Kyla Asbury | 6 years ago

The Illinois Family Institute is partnering with several other pro-life organizations to hold the Pro-life Rally and Lobby Day Wednesday at the state capitol.

Senate Special Committee on Housing discusses legislation that would rehabilitate residential property

By Kyla Asbury | Oct 6, 2018

The Illinois Senate Special Committee on Housing held a hearing to discuss Illinois’ rent control ban and increasing the efficiency of scavenger sales to more quickly revitalize deteriorating neighborhoods.

From Prairie State Wire

Janus ruling changes union enrollment process

By Kyla Asbury | 7 years ago

A recent Supreme Court ruling reverses the way public employees now join unions.

From Prairie State Wire

Supreme Court's ruling means public sector employees now must opt into unions

By Kyla Asbury | 7 years ago

After the landmark decision in Janus v. AFSCME today, public sector employees no longer are required to opt out of unions they don't wish to participate in, but now must opt-in to become members.