(KTRS) The Democratic controlled Illinois House has passed legislation to allocate nearly $3.7 billion dollars for colleges and various human service programs amid criticism from Republicans who called it a pre-primary sham because the state has no money. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget office sent a letter to House lawmakers before the vote saying he opposes…
WASHINGTON (AP) – Hillary Clinton is receiving the endorsement of the United Farm Workers, the largest farmworkers union in the country. The union, active in 10 states, has a largely Latino membership, a key voting bloc for Clinton in both the primary and general elections. She received their endorsement over then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in…
(KTRS) The Illinois House has failed to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of funding for college grants and two-year schools. The House debated restoring hundreds of millions of dollars in college funding for two hours Wednesday afternoon. But overcoming Republican Rauner’s rejection of the spending required 71 votes, it only gathered 69. The legislation involved…
CHICAGO (AP) – In the run up to Super Tuesday’s primaries and Illinois’ March 15 primary, Governor Bruce Rauner says he is staying out of presidential politics. Rauner said yesterday when questioned by reporters that there are challenges in Illinois and he is focused on those challenges 24 hours a day. Rauner said that despite…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri lawmakers are considering several proposals to make it easier to carry a concealed gun. A House panel heard testimony Monday on whether to allow people to conceal their guns without a permit in places where they would otherwise be allowed to carry openly. Another proposal would allow people applying…
( KTRS ) Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has formed a bipartisan committee to review the privately run and funded economic development corporation created by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Madigan announced the creation of the committee Wednesday, saying it’s necessary to ensure transparency with the agency Rauner launched earlier this month to bring businesses to…
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (AP) – A Collinsville City Council member is resisting calls from colleagues to step down over her personal use of a municipal credit card while working as the southwestern Illinois city’s clerk. The Belleville News-Democrat (bit.ly/1Ld9Id1 ) reports that two council members called for Cheryl Brombolich to resign her elected position Monday night.…
( KTRS ) Authorities are looking for a victims vehicle in hopes of finding his killer. Schron Jackson, with the St. Louis police department, reports that police responded to the 4000 block of Bowen, around 3pm Monday afternoon, to a call for an unconscious male. Upon arrival, officers found 51 yr old Ricardo Comparini unconscious…
( KTRS ) The Missouri Senate has backed a proposal to stop the practice of lobbyists paying for catered events for groups of elected officials. Senators voted 19-8 Tuesday for a proposal to stop group spending by lobbyists. Some senators criticized a practice of lobbyists regularly catering meals for lawmakers at the Capitol. Republican Sen.…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A Missouri proposal would give voters a say on whether to grant greater religious protections for individuals and some business owners who object to same-sex marriage. State Sen. Bob Onder says his proposed constitutional amendment would ensure people aren’t forced to participate in or lend their support to marriage ceremonies…