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Pat Quinn
PI Original
by Adam Doster
9:08am
Mon May 17, 2010

Potholes Cover The Road To A State Budget Deal

State Budget

Lawmakers will have to find some common ground if they intend to pass a state budget before the spring session concludes. We preview the final negotiations.

Quick Hit
by Adam Doster
11:37am
Fri May 14, 2010

More Education Aid From Washington?

Just over two weeks ago, Gov. Pat Quinn told reporters that he wasn't optimistic that Congress would extend further aid to school districts facing devastating budget cuts next year (as they did under the stimulus package). While the odds are still long, the Obama administration is doubling down on its support for such a plan, sending a letter last night to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asking them to move Sen. Tom Harkin's (D-IA) $23 billion aid package.

In FY 2010, Illinois nabbed $1.02 billion in education-related stimulus spending, just short of Quinn's proposed FY 2011 cuts to the school system.  It's unclear at this moment how much Illinois would stand to gain if Harkin's package made it through.

Quick Hit
by Adam Doster
9:57am
Thu May 13, 2010

CUB Pushing Quinn To Modify Telecom Bill

Large telecom companies in Illinois won a big victory in Springfield last week when both chambers unanimously approved a significant rewrite of the Illinois Telecommunications Act. Despite the wide support the bill earned in the legislature, consumer advocates are justifiably worried about some of the language. While they were able to preserve "safe-harbor" packages -- which guarantee low landline phone rates for vulnerable customers -- the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) could not keep in place an Illinois Commerce Commission order requiring AT&T to offer high-speed Internet access to 90 percent of its customers outside the Chicago area. In fact, CUB spokesperson Jim Chilsen tells us his organization is urging Gov. Pat Quinn to issue an amendatory veto to reinstate this mandate.

On Tuesday night, Chris Wetterich analyzed the politics of a potential veto for Quinn, who was instrumental in CUB's formation. To reject the change, both chambers would need a three-fifths majority.

PI Original
by Adam Doster
12:47pm
Tue May 11, 2010

Will We Snag $200 Million For High-Risk Health Care?

Health Care

We provide more detail on how Gov. Quinn is attempting to capture $200 million in federal funding to expand health insurance for those with preexisting conditions.

PI Original
by Adam Doster
10:39am
Mon May 10, 2010

Another Win For The Bankers (VIDEO)

Banking

Banks pushed hard for a bill in Springfield last week that will provide legislative protection to creditors who want to squeeze extra interest out of small businesses.