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West Central Reporter

Friday, November 22, 2024

News from February 2016

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Union-backed bill Rauner says would cost taxpayers billions is resurrected

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 20, 2016

A union-backed bill Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed last fall saying it would cost taxpayers billions has been resurrected by Democrats in the General Assembly.

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House Dems again pass arbitration bill; but they remain short of veto override votes

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 20, 2016

House Democrats last week again passed a bill that could send the stalled contract talks between Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state’s biggest employee unions to a panel of arbitrators.

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Bill would raise smoking age to 21; would apply to all tobacco and e-cigs, as well

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 20, 2016

Should Illinois raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21?

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Rauner to lawmakers: Make a choice

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 20, 2016

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner used his annual budget address this week to put two choices before legislative Democrats who control both houses of the state legislature:

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State Senate candidate Bryce Benton applauds Rauner’s vision to rescue Illinois from financial crisis

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 19, 2016

Bryce Benton, candidate for State Senate in the 50th District of Illinois applauded Governor Bruce Rauner’s efforts to rescue the state from its current financial crisis.

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Rauner endorses Bryce Benton for state senate in the 50th

By Matt Smith | Feb 19, 2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently endorsed Republican Bryce Benton for state senate in the 50th district.

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Bang for the buck?

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 19, 2016

Are Illinois public schools spending too much, delivering too little?

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Why hide the money in a shoebox? Just buy a car!

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 18, 2016

Mautino, now Springfield Sen. McCann caught padding pay with “mileage” reimbursements.

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Northwestern CUSD 2’s Northwestern Elementary scores below average despite highest per student spending

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 18, 2016

The 2015 standardized test scores for Northwestern CUSD 2’s Northwestern Elementary School were below average despite spending the highest per student among elementary schools in Illinois’ West Central region, according to a report recently released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Chicago Teachers Union enlisting downstate support in Springfield

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 18, 2016

Chicago’s powerful teachers union donated to 29 state representatives and senators in 2015. Will they support the union's call to shift school money to Chicago, away from downstate districts?

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Tracy advocates for sensible cuts after Rauner's budget address

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 17, 2016

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner delivered his much anticipated fiscal year 2016 budget address Wednesday from the State Capitol.

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Moffitt, DeSutter hopeful for budget deal after Rauner address

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 17, 2016

Outgoing Illinois House District 74 Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) responded to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s fiscal year 2017 budget address, delivered Wednesday, and said he hopes state lawmakers can soon end the budget impasse that dates back to July. 

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Government pension costs fall on Illinois homeowners

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 17, 2016

Debt eating away at home values throughout state

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Judges seeking to make things easy on themselves, Cook argues

By LocalLabs News Service | Feb 17, 2016

Arguments over whether St. Clair County judges John Baricevic, Robert LeChien and Robert Haida can remain as candidates in next month's primary election will be heard in Sangamon Circuit Court on Feb. 19.

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Former state school employee Severs paid in $44K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $763K in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Feb 1, 2016

Former state school employee Karen Severs, who retired in January 2016, saved $43,819 toward a pension over 14 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

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Former state university employee Hare paid in $71K to pension fund, could collect $1.96M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Feb 1, 2016

Former state university employee Kevin Hare, who retired in January 2016, saved $71,001 toward a pension over 30 years working for state universities, State Universities Retirement System of Illinois records show.

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Former state university employee Johanson paid in $122K to pension fund, could collect $2.89M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Feb 1, 2016

Former state university employee Joyce Johanson, who retired in January 2016, saved $121,577 toward a pension over 27 years working for state universities, State Universities Retirement System of Illinois records show.

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Former state university employee Burrows paid in $16K to pension fund, could collect $1.16M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Feb 1, 2016

Former state university employee Judith Burrows, who retired in January 2016, saved $16,241 toward a pension over 7 years working for state universities, State Universities Retirement System of Illinois records show.

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Former state university employee Ulmer paid in $101K to pension fund, could collect $2.37M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Feb 1, 2016

Former state university employee Michael Ulmer, who retired in January 2016, saved $100,873 toward a pension over 28 years working for state universities, State Universities Retirement System of Illinois records show.

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Former state university employee Parks paid in $141K to pension fund, could collect $3.88M in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | Feb 1, 2016

Former state university employee Brenda Parks, who retired in January 2016, saved $140,689 toward a pension over 32 years working for state universities, State Universities Retirement System of Illinois records show.