ST. JOSEPH, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is reviewing legislation that would test feeding the state’s deer, which some say could help the animals better fight off illnesses while others argue could spread disease. The bill under review would launch a five-year experiment to test how feeding Illinois deer affects the wild herd’s…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has rejected legislation that would prohibit retailers from charging fees on rebate cards. The Republican vetoed the measure Friday. It would have banned merchants and banks offering rebates to consumers from charging maintenance or dormancy fees . Rauner says so-called post-issuance fees are a way for businesses to recoup the…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois children must ride in rear-facing child-restraint seats in automobiles until age 2 under a law Gov. Bruce Rauner signed. The Republican OK’d the measure for small backseat passengers Friday. Rear-facing restraints are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics . Children taller than 40 inches or weighing more than 40 pounds are exempt. Rep.…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The governor of Illinois has activated the State Emergency Operations Center as flooding affects parts of the state after heaving weekend rains. Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday morning said rivers are swelling with water in some Illinois communities, causing flooding. Activating the operations center means that state agencies will be ready…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – While pressure grows on Gov. Bruce Rauner to identify where he would cut state spending, an Associated Press analysis shows that much more cutting would be needed to make a real difference. The AP reviewed the Republican governor’s latest annual fiscal plan released in February. It found at least 40 programs…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has unveiled a broad-based cybersecurity plan. The Republican announced the framework Tuesday. He says cybersecurity is one of the most pressing issues facing the nation and Illinois. The plan outlines goals to protect state information systems. But it covers only executive branch agencies directly. It wouldn’t have…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois Senate has adjourned without pushing its stalled budget compromise further. But a Senate Democrat filed legislation Thursday spelling out services that could be subject to the state sales tax to battle a budget deficit. Olympia Fields Democratic Sen. Toi Hutchinson’s legislation would extend the 6.25 percent sales tax to…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Tens of thousands of Illinois government workers have voted in favor of authorizing a strike if contract talks don’t progress. The state council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees reported Thursday that 81 percent of union members voting favored a strike. Roberta Lynch is AFSCME executive director.…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will propose a third annual budget that is likely to be shelved by the Legislature like his first two. Rauner addresses a joint session of the Legislature on Wednesday. He will outline budget priorities for the fiscal year that begins July 1. There has been no state…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois Senate passed another day in Springfield without a vote on its much-anticipated budget compromise. Democrats and Republicans discussed the plan separately in private meetings lasting hours Tuesday. But there were no votes on the plan. Democratic and Republican leaders have been discussing for weeks ways to break a nearly…