West Cook News

From Prairie State Wire

National labor law attorney: Legal marijuana doesn't give employees a 'get out of jail free card'

By Angela Underwood | 5 years ago

Since Illinois has become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, national labor lawyer and legal analyst Michelle Lee Flores suggests the Prairie State began to prepare for employment law issues.

Lawmaker pay raises send activists over the top

By Angela Underwood | Jun 15, 2019

Two Cook County conservative activists are appalled at the proposed pay hike Illinois legislators gave themselves at the conclusion of last month's spring legislative session in Springfield.

From South Cook News

Lack of residential placement options keeps DCFS' foster kids in hospitals longer than needed

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Committee members in the Senate Human Services Hearing heard at length earlier this month about how children in the custody of the Illinois Department Children and Family Services (DCFS) are being kept in hospitals beyond medical necessity.

Taxpayers United of America gather in Berwyn to protest tax increase

By Angela Underwood | Jul 31, 2018

Taxpayers in the Berwyn School District 100 recently stood along the aisle and outside the door of the Berwyn Police Station's Community Room to protest property tax increases.

From South Cook News

Forum sheds light on Cook County Tax Assessors office

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform's (ICPR) Executive Director Mary Miro said there is an unfair burden of taxes placed on some homeowners and minority communities in Cook County.

Property tax focus of planned protests in Berwyn South district

By Angela Underwood | Jul 22, 2018

A property tax protest in South Berwyn is the first step to citizens rejecting yet another levy raise, according to Taxpayers United of America (TUA) Founder and President Jim Tobin.

From Prairie State Wire

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families.

From Chicago City Wire

Fate of Law Enforcement Gang Database Acts up in the air

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

SB275, also known as the Law Enforcement Gang Database Act, passed the Senate with a vote of 30-19 on May 31, but then was left to linger as Illinois' spring legislative session came to an end.

From Chambana Sun

Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group touts 'groundbreaking' legislation

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After 17 meetings, the Joint Senate and House Higher Education Group is setting new standards for state-funded schools.

From Prairie State Wire

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than ever.

From Rock Island Today

Despite GOP's concerns, gun bill passes Senate

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline) rose during the May 30 Senate floor debate and argued against a firearm bill.

From Prairie State Wire

Medical cannabis for short-term pain is questionable, some GOP lawmakers insist

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill allowing for temporary access to medical cannabis in order to battle the opioid epidemic is in the hands of the governor.

From SE Illinois News

Righter and House GOP members question Firearms Restraining Order Act

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and some state representatives had a slew questions during a new firearm act debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite GOP concerns, graduate research assistants one step closer to being able to unionize

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill to amend the Illinois Labor Relations Act to allow graduate research assistants to unionize concerned three GOP lawmakers during the May 30 House floor debate.

From Prairie State Wire

Despite Senate raving about $38.5 billion bipartisan budget for FY2019, the numbers don't add up

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

The $38.5 billion budget passed without a revenue estimate is not what it seems.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP fails to keep vetoed bill from going back to governor's desk

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

A bill vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner will be going back to his desk.

From Prairie State Wire

Breen and Bellock question partisan task force

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

During the May 28 House floor debate, state Reps. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) wanted to know why a Democrat-proposed task force was clearly partisan in membership.

From Prairie State Wire

Having a professional license but not being a legal resident is absurd, according to three GOP lawmakers

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

After barely passing by five votes and pulled for consideration, a Democrat-sponsored bill debated on May 28 came back two days later and passed, but not without a heated GOP debate.

From DuPage Policy Journal

GOP House reps give their nod to pension limitations

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

With billions of dollars in looming pension debt, almost every GOP state House member approved a bill during the May 28 House Floor debate that limits the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

From Prairie State Wire

Several GOP lawmakers reject bill that would prevent state from reversing local districts' denial of charter schools

By Angela Underwood | 6 years ago

Allowing local school districts to deny charter school applications is not ideal, according to three GOP lawmakers.