Category: Government

Illinois Governor-appointed board would have authority to cap drug costs

Lawmakers introduce bill to create State prescription drug price oversight board

Governor-appointed board would have authority to cap drug costs By Alex Abbeduto  Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com  A new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would create a board of health care experts that would have the authority to set price limits on prescription medications.  House Bill 4472 was introduced Wednesday by

State Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, is pictured at the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules hearing Tuesday in Springfield. The committee objected to proposed permanent rules governing the state’s assault weapons ban, although the ban and registration requirement remains in place. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)

Lawmakers clear path for assault weapon registration rules

Some members record symbolic objection, saying rules are too vague and complicated By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Springfield – New permanent rules will soon go into effect spelling out how people who own assault weapons and related items that are now heavily regulated in Illinois can register them with the

Aurora City Council considers new development

By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council viewed details of a proposed mixed-use development at the southeast corner of Ogden Avenue and Farnsworth Avenue, across from Rush Copley Medical Center at the Committee of the Whole meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 16. The residential portion would be developed with 70 detached, single-family

We must be wary of psychopaths, politicians

By John & Nisha Whitehead “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.” —Richard Nixon Many years ago, a newspaper headline asked the question: “What’s the difference between a politician and a psychopath?” The answer, then and now, remains the same: None. There is no difference

Aurora's 39th Annual MLK Ceremony

17-year-old Ph.D. graduate, popular actor to headline Aurora’s MLK Ceremony

The City of Aurora will come together on Monday to celebrate the 95th birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The City’s 39th Annual Aurora MLK Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 15, at Calvary Church, 9S200 Route 59. With the theme ‘What Happens to

Aurora City Council presents Mayor’s Award

By Jason Crane In the first Aurora City Council meeting of 2024, Ward 5 alderman Carl Franco, mayor-pro-tem, presented the Mayor’s Award of Excellence Tuesday, Jan. 9, to city of Aurora government staff members Ruthy Harris and Roseann Hernandez in honor of awards they recently achieved. Aurora’s Property Standards Division

End Overdose Now rally in downtown Chicago

Amid record overdoses and drug counselor shortage, workforce expansion program aims to fill gap

Joint program offers funds, tuition assistance and stipends for future alcohol and drug counselors By Dilpreet RajuCapitol News Illinoisdraju@capitolnewsillinois.com  Amid five straight years of record overdose deaths in Illinois, a new state program aims to alleviate a shortage of professionals who work to prevent substance use disorders. Illinois’ behavioral health

Trump faces ballot challenge in Illinois minutes after filing his petitions

Trump faces ballot challenge in Illinois minutes after filing his petitions

Objectors say he’s disqualified under 14th Amendment for role in Jan. 6 Capitol riots By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is now among the growing list of states in which former President Donald Trump will have to fight to have his name appear on the 2024 election ballots.

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan exits the Dirksen Federal Courthouse

Madigan trial delayed until October for SCOTUS review of bribery statute

At court hearing, former Democratic powerhouse makes first appearance in court By Hannah MeiselCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO –Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan won’t be spending his 82nd birthday in a federal courtroom this spring after a judge on Wednesday granted his request to delay his bribery and racketeering trial

Heidi Mueller director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Governor Pritzker names new DCFS director

Former director Marc Smith will stay on until Feb. 1 By Beth Hundsdorfer Capitol News Illinoisbhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The troubled state agency charged with the protection of abused and neglected children will have new leadership in the new year.  Gov. JB Pritzker announced Wednesday that Department of Juvenile Justice Director Heidi Mueller will

Aurora City Council considers $4.5 Million in ARPA funding for Aurora Civic Center Authority

By Jason Crane Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, and the Aurora City Council listened to a proposed resolution authorizing the provision of America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) in the amount of $4.5 Million for 2024. ACCA has requested financial assistance to subsidize its

Reader’s Commentary: Review of U.S. ballot process and those eligible

By Bela “Bill” Suhayda Not only hasn’t Donald Trump been convicted of insurrection, he hasn’t been charged with the crime. Special prosecutor Jack Smith, the henchman of the DOJ (Department of Justice) and Democrats, could have charged Trump with the crime, but realized he didn’t have a case. Perhaps Trump’s

Police state mentality continues into new year

By John & Nisha Whitehead “The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.” —Edmund Burke Folks, it’s time to break the cycle of abuses—cruel, brutal, immoral, unconstitutional and unacceptable—that have been heaped upon us by the government for way too long. Here’s just a small sampling of what we