Category: Government

Support urged to vote for Corinne Pierog as Kane County chair

By Angela Clay Thomas It’s been my privilege to represent the residents of Kane County’s 4th District (Aurora) for the last four years. In the March 17 Democratic Primary Election one of the offices you will cast a vote for is Kane County Board chair. Please join me in supporting

Schools’ zero tolerance policies often tone deaf

By John W. Whitehead Just when you thought the government couldn’t get any more tone-deaf about civil liberties and the growing need to protect “we the people” against an overreaching, overbearing police state, the Donald Trump administration ushers in even more strident zero tolerance policies that treat children like suspects

Lawmakers tout strict limits on ‘prior authorization’ insurance requirements

By PETER HANCOCK A bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing strict new limits on health insurance policies that require patients to receive “prior authorization” from the company before they can receive certain treatments, tests or prescription drugs. It’s a common practice under most health plans, one originally intended to hold

Lawmakers call for caution on 5G, the next wireless wave

By REBECCA ANZEL First, there were cordless phones and text messages. Then, internet access and video calls. Now, wireless’s fifth generation will drive mobile phone speeds even faster and allow for advances in telemedicine and management of traffic signals, for example, according to the Federal Communications Commission. But two lawmakers,

House Republicans want DCFS reforms ahead of funding increase

By PETER HANCOCK A group of Republican lawmakers said Tuesday, Feb. 18 they want to see internal reforms at the Department of Children and Family Services in addition to the increased funding that Democratic governor JB Pritzker is expected to propose. Pritzker is scheduled to deliver his annual budget address

House Republicans say bipartisan effort should lead budgeting process

By JERRY NOWICKI One day before governor JB Pritzker’s budget address, House Republican lawmakers called for another “inclusive” and “bipartisan” effort at adopting a state budget without new taxes. “Let’s go back in time to last spring. Through a bipartisan effort and agreements in both chambers, we were able to

President Trump commutes Blagojevich sentence after 8 years

By Jerry Nowicki There was little support Tuesday at the former stomping grounds of ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich for president Donald Trump’s decision to commute the remaining years of the disgraced former Democratic governor’s 14-year corruption sentence. Republicans and Democrats from various levels of State and federal government issued public

Representative Batnick disagrees with commutation

President Donald Trump Tuesday, commuted the sentence of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was found guilty on federal corruption charges and removed from office in 2009. Blagojevich since has served eight years of a 14-year sentence in federal prison, and was set to be released Tuesday. State representative Mark