Articles written by jerry nowicki
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State to release first $50 million of broadband expansion funding
The state is accepting applications for the first $50 million in disbursements of a $420 million grant program aimed at increasing internet access across the state. Gov. JB Pritzker announced the release of funding Wednesday at... — Updated 2/5/2020
State police say forensic evidence backlog shrinking, needs more work
When an Illinois Senate panel met last March to discuss the state’s backlog of untested forensic evidence, there were more than 70 DNA samples in murder cases more than a year old awaiting action from Illinois State Police f... — Updated 1/29/2020
Harmon names new leadership team
New Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, announced his leadership team Tuesday on the first day of the 2020 legislative session. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, will remain the chamber’s majority leader, while Bill C... — Updated 1/29/2020
Chicago woman has confirmed case of novel coronavirus after trip to China
A Chicago resident is the second person in the United States with a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, and has killed at least 26 people in... — Updated 1/27/2020
'X Caucus' puts weight behind Harmon's successful presidential bid
Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, is the new Senate president, thanks, in large part, to a group of moderate suburban and downstate Democrats who quietly supported him in his monthslong... — Updated 1/23/2020
Don Harmon, Oak Park Democrat, named Illinois Senate president
Senator Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, was elected as the 39th president of the Illinois Senate on Sunday after hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations. The race had been weeks in the... — Updated 1/21/2020
Governor asks for, receives resignation from state ag director
The state's agriculture director resigned last weekend at the request of Gov. J.B. Pritzker for failing to disclose contents of a 2012 email that pointed to the possible cover-up... — Updated 1/14/2020
Republicans blast property tax task force report
Illinois House Republicans on Wednesday blasted a draft final report from the special Property Tax Relief Task Force that lawmakers formed last year. They said the panel's... — Updated 1/9/2020
Lawmakers, activists demand investigation of 2012 'rape in Champaign' email
Lawmakers from both parties are calling for an investigation of a 2012 email exchange between a government insider and then-Gov. Pat Quinn's staff regarding a possible cover-up of... — Updated 1/9/2020
State panel looks for isolation room answers
Legislators and advocates began discussions Tuesday of what action the state can take to counteract the overuse of physical restraint and forced isolation of students in Illinois schools, particularly those serving students with... — Updated 1/8/2020
New year will bring a higher minimum wage, legalization of marijuana
The state's minimum wage will increase by $1 hourly, recreational marijuana will go on sale to those over 21 years of age, and some state taxes and licensing fees will increase... — Updated 12/26/2019
Number of parties suing Sterigenics jumps to 73
The number of parties suing medical supply sterilization company Sterigenics on claims that its ethylene oxide gas emissions caused serious health problems grew to 73 this week, according to a law firm representing 18 of the... — Updated 12/16/2019
More urgency needed on ethics reforms, GOP lawmakers say
A handful of Illinois House Republicans on Wednesday called for a special legislative session – or at least greater urgency in the upcoming regular session – to pass reforms to sta... — Updated 12/5/2019
Pritzker, stakeholders talk next phases of legalized marijuana rollout
One month before the scheduled rollout of legalized marijuana in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a follow-up bill to the initial reform Wednesday and took questions about the... — Updated 12/5/2019
Governor to foot $40,000 bill for Capitol office renovations
Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker is planning to spend $40,000 of his own money to renovate his State Capitol office next month, according to a news release distributed by his staff. Those changes will be mainly functional, however, wi... — Updated 11/27/2019
Eight days after request, Lincoln Museum shipped Gettysburg Address to Texas
Just eight days after a nonprofit organization founded by conservative commentator Glenn Beck requested it be lent a priceless, handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address to... — Updated 11/26/2019
State school board to make emergency rule changes in response to isolation room report
The state’s board of education announced emergency rule changes Wednesday in response to a news story which detailed an overuse of “isolation rooms” in several Illinois public school districts, including those serving stude... — Updated 11/20/2019
During veto session, clock runs out on time change, college athlete pay, more
The adjournment of the fall veto session Thursday night means a number of bills that failed to pass both chambers this week must wait for further action when the General Assembly... — Updated 11/18/2019
32,000 Illinoisans save $8.5 million in first year of new program
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Monday continued to promote a new state program which he says is a first step to alleviating a nationwide "retirement crisis." At a Chicago... — Updated 11/18/2019
Insulin price cap now has only one hurdle to clear
The Illinois House voted with an overwhelming majority Wednesday to advance a bill aimed at capping the out-of-pocket cost of prescription insulin for state-regulated health... — Updated 11/15/2019
Latest ethics proposals focus on State Board of Elections
Republican lawmakers added to their pile of recently-filed ethics legislation Wednesday, promoting two bills aimed at limiting conflicts of interest on the Illinois State Board of Elections. Sen. Dan McConchie, a Hawthorn Woods... — Updated 11/13/2019
Added ethylene oxide regulations clear House, await changes in Senate
A strict ethylene oxide regulatory bill passed the state House Wednesday with no votes to spare and promises of further discussion and potential amendments in the Senate. Just one R... — Updated 10/31/2019
College athletes endorsement bill heads to Senate with bipartisan support
A bill allowing college athletes in Illinois to be paid for the use of their image, name and likeness passed the state House Wednesday with broad bipartisan support after lengthy... — Updated 10/30/2019
Committee sees partisan split on ethylene oxide votes
The House Energy and Environment Committee diverged Monday on a pair of highly-publicized bills aiming to better regulate ethylene oxide gas emissions in the state, passing one... — Updated 10/29/2019
Chicago mayor: To balance budget, city 'will need cooperation from Springfield'
SPRINGFIELD — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot laid out her budget plan Wednesday, announcing the city "will need cooperation from Springfield” in order to fill an $838 million operating deficit. Lightfoot called on state lawmakers to... — Updated 10/23/2019
