On the 21st: Today is the last scheduled day for state lawmakers and the 700th day without a state budget. We spoke with Civic Federation President Laurence Msall on what an ideal state budget proposal would look like. We also spoke with faculty and a student from Northeastern Illinois University about 180 layoffs that will begin this summer.
On the 21st: Sears is one of Illinois’ most iconic brands, but is the end near for one of our oldest companies? We also got the latest on the revolt against a proposed 20,000-hog facility in western Illinois, and learned about a new state law that requires salon professionals to receive training to recognize signs of sexual assault and domestic violence.
A published report details problems during former Gov. Pat Quinn's administration as Illinois closed an institution for adults withdevelopmental disabilities. The Chicago Tribune reports state officials required
group home operators to promise not to undermine the closure plans - or risk getting no referrals to fill beds. The Tribune reports 67 businesses signed a loyalty pledge to avoid being shut out of referrals in what amounted to an auction.
Illinois is not considered a battleground state in the presidential election, but it could help decide which party controls the U.S. Senate. First-term Republican Senator Mark Kirk is fighting to keep his job against Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. Brian Mackey has this look at the two candidates' policy positions and the politics of the race.
In July, Governor Bruce Rauner signed a measure extending the state’s medical marijuana pilot program from January 2018 to July 2020. But as a condition, Illinois' Public Health Director now has sole discretion over adding more qualifying conditions, leaving no power to a re-constituted panel of experts. Chicago Tribune reporter Robert McCoppin recently wrote on current efforts to add them, relying largely on court rulings tied to a series of lawsuits.
