House passes bill allowing Chicago casino — but vote not veto-proof

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House passed a scaled back casino-expansion package Wednesday but fell two votes shy of the supermajority needed to fend off a likely veto by Gov. Pat Quinn, who blasted the measure for having “major ethical shortcomings.” The legislation allowing for a Chicago casino, which was sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), passed by a 69-47 margin, with two voting present ...
http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/12729464-418/house-passes-bill-allowing-chicago-casino-but-vote-not-veto-proof.html

Published: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:46:07 -0700

Democrats in Illinois Senate offer budget proposal

Illinois should maintain education spending and pay a chunk of the state's overdue bills while cutting money for prisons, health care and most other services, Democrats in the state Senate said Friday ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/democrats-illinois-senate-offer-budget-205716982.html

Published: Fri, 18 May 2012 15:22:49 -0700

State reviewing claim Palatine violated Open Meetings Act

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigans office said further review is warranted regarding a former Palatine village councilmans claim that an advisory meeting held for residents last month violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Warren Kostka, who has a long-standing feud with the village over his Forest Avenue property, requested the review, asserting that proper notice of the March 15 meeting ...
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120425/news/704259655

Published: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:34:00 -0700

Illinois Senate budget called premature

They've yet to agree on how to answer the state's two most pressing financial challenges -- spending on health care for the poor and public pensions -- but Illinois Senate Democrats drove forward with a state budget plan Wednesday evening anyway that would keep school funding intact but cut revenue to suburban towns. House lawmakers continue to work on their own version behind closed doors, so ...
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120523/news/705239591

Published: Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 -0700

Senate looks to raid funds to pay old bills

SPRINGFIELD - In order to pay down overdue bills, Illinois Senate Democrats want to siphon cash out of special funds that support a myriad of projects — including Boy and Girl Scouts, tourism, energy assistance and transit development.
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/4cd374b4-a411-11e1-987d-0019bb2963f4.html

Published: Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:00 -0700

Democrats ram budget plan through state Senate

SPRINGFIELD — Democrats rammed a budget plan through the Illinois Senate Wednesday, but the state’s financial blueprint for the coming fiscal year is far from being complete.
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/854ed69a-a55a-11e1-9ff7-0019bb2963f4.html

Published: Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Little City Recognized as FIRST Agency in Illinois to Receive HRC Seal of Recognition

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to present its “All Children-All Families Seal of Recognition” to Little City on Wednesday, May 23 (PRWeb May 16, 2012) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9515067.htm
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9515067.htm

Published: Wed, 16 May 2012 11:43:38 -0700

Advisory council endorses Route 53 extension plan

The long-envisioned, controversial Route 53 extension proposal was given a formal recommendation Friday by the The Illinois Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council, which endorsed construction of a four-lane “modern parkway” with a 45-mph maximum speed. The council, which began studying the issue for the Illinois Tollway Authority nine months ago, also recommended that the Palatine-to ...
http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/12622653-418/advisory-council-endorses-route-53-extension-plan.html

Published: Fri, 18 May 2012 14:26:32 -0700

Democrats push through their state budget through Senate

Trying to beat the House out of the gate, the Illinois Senate Wednesday approved a state operations budget that Senate Democrats said would cut overall spending while preserving education funding.
http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1898615006/Democrats-push-through-their-state-budget-through-Senate

Published: Wed, 23 May 2012 20:32:38 -0700

Prospect Leads Local Charge At State Track Finals

Local girls track and field athletes finished their season last weekend at the state finals in Charleston at Eastern Illinois University.
http://www.journal-topics.com/sports/article_77c94966-a45f-11e1-a0b2-0019bb30f31a.html

Published: Tue, 22 May 2012 22:00:47 -0700