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Illinois eavesdropping reform bill in political limbo
By Anthony Brino | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — The sponsor of a bill allowing people to record police officers in public is trying to stall the measure, First Amendment advocates say. The sponsor of Senate Bill 1808 , Sen.
Fitzgerald says it’s time to step down, rules out run for elected office
May 24, 2012 By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald on Thursday said public service is in his blood but added he has no desire to run for elected office.
Medicaid cuts come with catch
By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislature passed the first half of a plan to rein in the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid on Thursday — with a catch. Medicaid would lose $1.6 billion, or 12 percent, according to the bill’s sponsor in the House, state Rep.
U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald stepping down
By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald , who oversaw corruption investigations that put two Illinois governors in prison, is stepping down for undisclosed reasons, he announced Wednesday.
Budget debate: Follow us on Twitter for live updates
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Members of the Illinois Senate are meeting tonight to discuss the Democrats’ budget proposal.
Indicted Rep. Smith catching a breather, for now
By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith will likely get a respite from his House colleagues through the end of the Legislature ’s spring session. Several members of the House Special Investigative Committee looking into federal bribery allegations against the Chicago Democrat said chances of the committee meeting before the spring session ends May 31 are slim.
Humidity apparent cause of ballot problems during Illinois’ March primary
By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Unusually high humidity may be to blame for problems with paper ballots throughout Illinois during the primary election March 20, state election officials said Tuesday. The state experienced record-setting temperatures and unseasonably high humidity the day of the primary, apparently affecting the “hydroexpansivity” — the tendency of paper to expand when it absorbs moisture — of the paper ballots and rendering them difficult or impossible to feed into the ballot scanners at some precincts.
Debating the risks and benefits of Starved Rock sand mine
By Anthony Brino | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Whether a sand mine should be permitted next to Starved Rock State Park , one of Illinois’ most unique natural areas, is the backdrop of a debate between business and environmental interests. Midwest sand has become increasingly vital to America’s booming oil and gas industry, used in the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing.
Plan to modernize current eavesdropping law passes House
May 22, 2012 By Stephanie Fryer | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House approved a proposal Tuesday allowing people to audibly record police officers in public places. Senate Bill 1808 passed with a 71-45 vote, weeks after a previous bill to modernize Illinois’ Eavesdropping Act failed.
IL lawmakers vote to end scholarship program
May 21, 2012 By Stephanie Fryer | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House voted Monday to abolish a century-old legislative scholarship program blighted by lawmaker abuse. The bill killing the General Assembly Legislative Scholarship Program , which allowed lawmakers to give full scholarships for state universities to students, as long as the students lived in the awarding lawmaker’s district, now awaits Gov.