May, 2017 Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

Pritchard sets summer reading goal for district students

By Charmaine Little | May 31, 2017

Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley) might not be a teacher, but he can still assign some homework, it seems.

Manar attacks Kankakee Times for publishing school funding numbers

By Michael McGrady | May 26, 2017

Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is demanding a state investigation after the Kankakee Times reported on the anticipated district-by-district financial impact of his Senate Bill 1, which promises to change the state's formula for dispensing money to public schools.

Rauner says end run around Madigan only way forward for Illinois

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

The buckling stops here, Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a call-in radio show recently.

Watchdogs: Who's Joe, and why did Mautino pay him $12,487?

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

As a state lawmaker, Frank Mautino paid nearly $12,500 in campaign fund cash to a man named Joe without keeping any supporting receipts, according to a government oversight group.

Report shows 'true' accounting of pension liabilities more than double what governments say; Expert: debt is 'utterly absurd'

By Ann Maher, Madison County Record | May 26, 2017

Financial expert Mark Glennon of Wilmette says in his analysis of a new study on state and local pensions that the options available to reduce the substantial obligations facing Illinois funds include amending the state constitution or going through federal bankruptcy.

Tax analyst: Illinoisans crushed under weight of sales, income, property taxes

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 25, 2017

Illinoisans pay more in total taxes than anyone else in the nation, so any thoughts about adding to that burden need to be forgotten, a tax analyst argued recently.

Pritchard works to defeat 'misguided' college admissions measure

By Hoang Tran | May 25, 2017

Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Hinckley) applauded a House effort to keep talented students in Illinois but said House Bill 230 was not the way to do it.

Bivins, Syverson oppose Senate move to raise income tax

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 23, 2017

Without the help of Republicans, Senate Democrats voted Tuesday to fix the budget by raising the Illinois income tax and expanding the sales tax.

GOP rep chides chamber: Pick a revenue number and get budget going

By Hoang Tran | May 19, 2017

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) chastised the House for its lack of progress on a state budget estimate, calling it a failure of the chamber.

Critics pan $5,000 fine over Mautino financial reports, request criminal inquiry

By Glenn Minnis | May 19, 2017

The Illinois State Board of Elections slapped a $5,000 fine on Auditor General Frank Mautino's campaign committee on Monday for failing to comply with board order to update financial disclosure reports filed in 2014 and 2015.

Small businesses have big role to play in saving Illinois, Rauner says on tour

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 18, 2017

Illinois can't grow unless its small businesses grow, Gov. Bruce Rauner told owners and employees of several of the state's 1 million such businesses on a brief tour recently.

'Absurd' math used to calculate 'Comeback Agenda,' financial pro says

By Karen Kidd | May 18, 2017

There won't be any coming back for high-wage earners who will exit Illinois in a hurry if the so-called "Illinois Comeback Agenda" passes, a financial services professional said.

Budget described as another possible dead body to mourn

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 18, 2017

It's hard to tell the difference between a seated Illinois General Assembly and one that's on a break, WCIA Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Maxwell said in a recent segment focused on a lack of new bills, characterizing the legislative accomplishments of the 100th General Assembly as “hardly anything at all."

If budget hopes are scrapped, Illinois could become first 'junk' state

By Glenn Minnis | May 15, 2017

The chances that Illinois will reach a budget before May 31 and avoid seeing its bond rating lowered to the worst of any state in history are 50-50 at best, according to Mark Glennon, founder of the business and government website WirePoints told the Sangamon Sun recently.

Pritchard applauds DeKalb firefighters, including Medal of Honor winner

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 14, 2017

Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley) congratulated Jared Thorp and eight other DeKalb firefighters who were honored for their efforts at a statewide ceremony and memorial in Springfield recently.

Genoa home prices fall in April 2017

By Local Labs News Service | May 7, 2017

The median sale price of a home sold in April 2017 in Genoa fell by $73,523 while total sales remained unchanged with two homes sold.

DeKalb home prices rise in April 2017

By Local Labs News Service | May 7, 2017

The median sale price of a home sold in April 2017 in DeKalb rose by $50,400 while total sales decreased by 71.4%.

War hero, ex-CIA boss Petraeus to speak at Chicago fundraiser

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 5, 2017

Ret. Gen. David Petraeus, perhaps best known for leading the American military efforts in Iraq under Presdent George W. Bush, will provide the keynote address at the 6th Annual Navy Seal Foundation's "Chicago Evening of Tribute," a fundraising event that supports Naval Special Warfare (NSW) families.

Bankruptcy bounces around as backup plan

By Cheyenne Dickerson | May 2, 2017

After two years without a budget and a failed attempt to compromise on a "grand bargain," some in Illinois are asking whether bankruptcy is a viable way out of the state's financial morass.

Former state university employee Myers paid in $18K to pension fund, could collect $260K in retirement

By Local Labs News Service | May 1, 2017

Former state university employee Susan Myers, who retired in April 2017, saved $18,269 toward a pension over 9 years working for state universities, State Universities Retirement System of Illinois records show.

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News from May 2017