Author: Capitol News

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Mendoza unequivocal: No raises for lawmakers

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The complexities of Illinois’ legislator pay laws were on display again this week as the state’s comptroller insisted in a video message that there will be no raises for lawmakers this year. Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a Democrat and the state’s chief […]

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Pritzker lifts ban on worship services starting Friday

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – People in Illinois will be allowed to attend worship services starting this weekend without fear of prosecution as the state enters Phase 3 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” reopening plan. Pritzker made the announcement during his daily COVID-19 briefing Thursday […]

State of Illinois

Lawmakers pass budget package to close out special session

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Senate on early Sunday morning passed a budget package authorizing $42.8 billion in general revenue spending next year, although much of that remains tentative depending on the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential congressional action that could send more […]

State of Illinois

Senate GOP: Stay in session until we have bipartisan reopening plan

Brady: ‘This discussion needs to go beyond 2:30 in the afternoon press conferences’ By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – On just the third day of legislative session since March 5, Senate Republicans called a socially distanced outdoor news conference Friday morning to argue for a more collaborative […]

State of Illinois

Vote-by-mail expansion headed for governor’s signature after Senate passage

Bill also allows curbside voting, makes Election Day a state holiday this year By BEN ORNER Capitol News Illinois borner@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A major expansion of voting access for the 2020 general election is headed to the desk of Gov. JB Pritzker after the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure […]

State of Illinois

Workers’ comp omnibus passes both houses

Deal between business, labor sees near-unanimous support By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — A compromise bill between business and labor which deals with COVID-19 and workers’ compensation passed the House on Friday with broad bipartisan support and will head to the governor. House Bill 2455 was carried by […]

State of Illinois

GOP seeks to remove graduated tax measure from ballot

Pritzker says call shows Republicans ‘lack confidence’ in their position By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – State Republican leadership is pushing for a vote in the upcoming legislative session to remove a graduated income tax amendment question from the November general election ballot. “Times have changed dramatically […]

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IDES confirms data breach in online unemployment system

‘Glitch’ allowed access to personal data in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance system By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security has confirmed that a new online portal that processes claims for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance briefly allowed public access to applicants’ personal information including […]