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State of Illinois
PI Original
by Angela Caputo
3:45pm
Mon Nov 9, 2009
1 comment

Nursing Home Reform And The Need For New Revenue

State Legislature

Back in July, The Chicago Reporter exposed one of the Prairie State's dirtiest secrets. Not only are dozens of Illinois nursing homes ranked among the worst in the nation
(PDF), but African-Americans are increasingly likely to receive
sub-standard medical care and be housed ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
1:50pm
Mon Nov 9, 2009

More State Pension Hyperbole

State Legislature

This week, the 19-member Pension Modernization Task Force will finalize its report on how Illinois should reform its retirement benefit program for government employees. The panel includes lawmakers, labor leaders, business representatives, and public pensioners.  Because ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
5:58pm
Fri Nov 6, 2009

Budget Crisis Creeps Into Illinois Schools

Education

Two weeks ago, state lawmakers wrapped up the fall veto session and
headed home with hopes that Illinois' financial crisis wouldn't follow
them back to their own districts. So far, the bad budget news has trickled in slowly enough that many have been able to distance ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
11:11am
Thu Nov 5, 2009

Number Of The Day: $12.8 Billion

State budget

If there's one thing observers of Illinois politics can agree on, it's that next year's state budget deficit is going to be extraordinary. Not only are billions in federal stimulus money scheduled to dry up, but state officials will soon have to pay out $3.5 billion in ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
3:47pm
Tue Nov 3, 2009

Missing Walkers, Broken Wheelchairs: Two More Reasons For A Responsible Budget

Chicago Tonight

This morning we flagged
an ominous warning from State Sen. Donnie Trotter (D-Chicago), who
predicted that "drastic cuts" to state services are on the horizon.
With the backlog of bills already topping
$3.7 billion and an estimated $11 billion shortfall looming ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
3:07pm
Fri Oct 30, 2009

Another Example Of Illinois' Regressive Tax Policy

Richard Daley

If you want to know why property tax rates are climbing, just look to the state's regressive income tax system.

PI Original
by Adam Doster
2:28pm
Fri Oct 30, 2009
1 comment

Campaign Finance Bill Sent To Gov. Quinn

State Legislature

The long wait for campaign finance reform in Illinois may soon be over. Last night, the reform coalition CHANGE Illinois agreed to support SB 1466, the bill introduced by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) that would overhaul how politicians finance their ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:52pm
Fri Oct 30, 2009
3 comments

Chicago Charter Teachers Ratify First Labor Contract

Education

Chicago International Charter Schools (CICS) teachers made history
last summer by becoming the first charter school employees to unionize
in Chicago.  Today, they made it official and ratified their first
contract. Teachers at three of CICS' Civitas campuses -- Ralph ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
3:21pm
Thu Oct 29, 2009
2 comments

Stopping The "Revolving Door" Of Illinois' Criminal Justice System

State Legislature

Last year, The Chicago Reporter launched
an investigation revealing gaps in supportive services -- from
counseling to financial assistance -- for some 90,000 Illinois children
whose parents are behind bars. One of the most personally devastating
holes was the lack of ...