Illinois House Approves Guns Plan Opposed by Governor
By Brian Mackey, with additional reporting from The Associated Press
The Illinois House Friday approved legislation that would let gun owners carry concealed firearms in public.
Illinois Public Media News
Waiting Hardest Part for Those Watching Illinois’ Same-Sex Marriage Vote
By Tony Arnold
For months, members of the Illinois State House have been waiting to call same-sex marriage for a vote. Sponsors say they don’t quite have the votes needed to pass the bill yet. But all that waiting has consequences.
No Pension Cuts for Illinois Judges
By Amanda Vinicky
Two major pension packages in the Illinois legislature are designed to rein in retirement costs by cutting current and retired government workers’ benefits, but one group being left out of both deals is judges.
Obama to Limit Drone Strikes, Renew Effort to Close Guantanamo
By Scott Neuman
President Obama on Thursday unveiled a major pivot in White House counter-terrorism policy, calling for a limiting of CIA drones strikes and a shift toward capturing rather than killing terrorist suspects.
Pritzker Faces Few Tough Questions at Senate Hearing
By Lauren Chooljian, with additional reporting from The Associated Press
Chicago businesswoman and current Commerce secretary nominee Penny Pritzker faced few tough questions at her Senate hearing Thursday.
Categories:
Government,
Politics
Illinois Senate Approves Health-Coverage Exchange Plan
By The Associated Press
The Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would create a state-governed "insurance exchange'' so individuals and small businesses can shop for health care coverage as required by President Obama's health law.
Lawmakers voted Thursday 37-19 to send the House a bill establishing the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace.
The exchange will guide people through the purchase of health and dental plans. It will also help qualified businesses enroll employees in health insurance plans.
The Affordable Care Act requires that nearly all Americans have health insurance beginning in 2014 or pay a penalty. New marketplaces are scheduled to be operating by October.
Illinois will begin an exchange this year through a federal partnership. Gov. Pat Quinn hopes to establish a state-run marketplace for 2015.
In east central Illinois, the vote was along party lines with 'no' votes from Sens. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), and Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). 'Yes' votes came from Sens. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) and Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).
Losers in Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials
By Cheryl Corley
A day after school officials approved shutting down 50 schools, the Chicago Teachers Union and community activists say they'll hold a voter registration and education campaign.
Gay Rights Groups Bristle at Being Excluded from Immigration Bill
By Alex Keefe
Some Illinois gay rights advocates say they feel betrayed by Democratic allies because same-sex couples aren’t legally recognized in an immigration bill that’s headed to the U.S. Senate.
Indiana Lawmakers Returning to Consider Veto Override
By The Associated Press
Indiana lawmakers are returning to the Statehouse for one day next month to possibly override Republican Gov. Mike Pence's veto of a local tax measure.
Categories:
Government,
Politics
Clinton: Illinois Should Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
By The Associated Press
Former President Bill Clinton is calling on Illinois lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage.