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PI Original
by Adam Doster
10:25am
Mon Oct 12, 2009
2 comments

The CTA's Newest Budget Woes

State Legislature

Another year, another Chicago Transit Authority "doomsday" scenario. Newly appointed CTA chief Terry Peterson is scheduled to unveil his agency's FY 2010 budget today and the details don't look promising. Facing an estimated $300 million deficit, a legal ad ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
2:59pm
Fri Oct 9, 2009

A Showdown For Campaign Finance Reform

State Legislature

Back in August, Gov. Pat Quinn came to terms with the fact that the campaign finance legislation lawmakers crafted in May was less "historic" than he'd initially touted. Instead of signing off on the half-hearted attempt, which reformers panned for failing ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
12:36pm
Thu Oct 8, 2009
1 comment

Rockefeller Reforms And The Prairie State

State Legislature

New York Gov. David Paterson probably will not be elected
to serve a second term in Albany, but his legacy may have been cemented
yesterday when the state officially repealed significant portions of
the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
Instituted in 1973, the strict and punitive ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
4:22pm
Tue Oct 6, 2009
4 comments

A State-Based Public Option?

Health Care

While progressive lawmakers in Washington are still optimistic that the public option will ultimately be included in the final health care bill approved by Congress, the prospects for a robust government-run plan in the Senate version are looking dim. Last week, two ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:18pm
Tue Oct 6, 2009

Currie, Mendoza, And Delgado Sign Petition In Support Of Public Option

State Legislature

As everyday Americans struggle to get out from
under the crushing weight of health care costs, the rising price of
medical treatment is also weighing down state budgets across the nation,
including here in Illinois. Even before a recent surge
in Medicaid enrollment -- ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
2:43pm
Mon Oct 5, 2009

Quinn "Optimistic" About Generating New Revenue This Fiscal Year

Taxes

We've been following the momentum that's building around HB 174, which appears to be the most politically-viable and progressive plan for fixing Illinois flawed tax structure. 
As proposed by State Sen. James Meeks in the spring, the plan raises
the income tax rate and ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
9:44am
Mon Oct 5, 2009

Is Illinois Stiffing Health Care Providers?

State budget

The state's pension debt isn't the only existing outlay driving the
state's finances into the ground. Illinois also faces a huge backlog of
payments to hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, and physicians that
treat patients on public aid. For years, state lawmakers ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:26pm
Fri Oct 2, 2009
1 comment

The Latest Evidence Of Illinois’ Broken Educational System

State Legislature

Illinois' education system has earned numerous dubious distinctions over the past year. State funding still lags at second to last in the nation. Only one in five high schoolers is college-ready. An even for those on the path to higher ed, the state earned an "F" ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
5:24pm
Thu Oct 1, 2009
3 comments

Harris On Equal Marriage Act: "We Should Get It Done Now"

Gay Rights

The legislative battle over extending equal rights to same-sex
couples had its share of ups and downs this past year. State Rep. Greg
Harris (D-Chicago) got things rolling by introducing two measures --
the same-sex marriage and civil unions
bills -- for the second ...