Springfield News

  • Ben Szalinski
    FEB 06, 2023
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    Dems forging ahead on next steps to assault weapons ban as legal setbacks grow

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    U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) speaks at a news conference in Highland Park Friday. [U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider/Facebook]   

    Saturday marked seven months since the mass shooting at Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade. Despite a growing number of legal challenges to Illinois’ new assault weapons ban passed last month, Democrats are taking new steps in an attempt to curtail mass shootings nationwide.  

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  • Ben Szalinski
    FEB 03, 2023
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    Buckner proposal would change CPS head to superintendent amid race against former CPS CEO Vallas  

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    Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) announces he is running for mayor last year.    

    Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) has introduced legislation in Springfield that aims to ensure a qualified educator serves as head of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system as he battles former CPS head Paul Vallas in Chicago’s mayoral race.  

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  • Ben Szalinski
    FEB 03, 2023
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    Court grants Bailey, two state reps restraining order from assault weapons ban

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    Former Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) and attorney Tom DeVore campaign in November 2022. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

    A White County judge ruled Thursday that over 1,600 plaintiffs, including two state representatives and former Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, represented by Republican attorney Tom DeVore, should receive a temporary restraining order from Illinois’ new assault weapons ban.  

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  • Ben Szalinski
    FEB 02, 2023
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    House axes remote voting, allows for virtual witness participation in new rules Republicans call 'Madigan-era'  

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    Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) speaks about the House rules Wednesday. [Blue Room Stream]   

    As the second General Assembly since the pandemic gets underway, the House is returning to more normal procedures by eliminating remote voting on bills for lawmakers.  

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  • Ben Szalinski
    FEB 01, 2023
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    Pritzker to end COVID-19 disaster declaration in May  

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    Gov. JB Pritzker receives his first COVID-19 vaccine in Springfield in March 2021.    

    Illinois’ COVID-19 disaster declaration will end in May, three years after it was first issued, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday.  

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  • Ben Szalinski
    FEB 01, 2023
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    House Republicans seeking revamped budgeting process amid budgeting leadership turnover in both parties  

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    Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) speaks at a news conference Tuesday with House Republican budget leaders. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

    With new budget teams on both sides of the aisle in the House, House Republicans are hoping the changes mean more opportunities for their party to engage in the process and seek reforms to how state budgets are crafted. 

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  • Ben Szalinski
    JAN 31, 2023
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    Report shows teacher shortage is ongoing in Illinois and requires more funding to boost the workforce  

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    The Illinois Capitol.   

    Illinois’ teacher shortage remains persistent and requires more legislative action, according to a survey of 80 percent of the state’s school districts by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools.  

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  • Ben Szalinski
    JAN 30, 2023
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    Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell to leave Pritzker Administration in March

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    Gov. JB Pritzker thanks Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, left, at a news conference in Chicago Friday. [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook] 

    Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell will leave Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration in early March, Pritzker announced at an unrelated news conference Friday alongside Mitchell.   

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  • Ben Szalinski
    JAN 27, 2023
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    December CGFA report examines impact of 2019 tax hikes, notes slowing revenue in current fiscal year

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    The Illinois State Capitol   

    The December Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) report shed light on how tax and fee hikes passed by lawmakers in 2019 have raised revenue to pay for Rebuild Illinois and other infrastructure projects. But the report also shows some revenue sources in the current year are beginning to slow down. 

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  • Ben Szalinski
    JAN 26, 2023
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    After 12 years in the House, Gabel ascends to majority leader with a focus on collaboration among Democrats

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    House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston). [ILGA] 

    New House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) has big shoes to fill as she replaces the popular former leader Greg Harris, but she feels the transition will be natural.    

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