Articles written by Rebecca Anzel
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As general election approaches, House GOP again demands ethics reform legislation
With fewer than four months remaining until the general election, House Republicans said Tuesday they want to remind Illinoisans of Democratic lawmakers’ “failure” to address corruption in the General Assembly. It has been... — Updated 7/14/2020
Group says local governments' hands tied in COVID-19 economic response
Local government officials in Illinois have their hands “tied behind their back” when responding to COVID-19-related economic struggles, three community and business advocacy groups argued Thursday. “Burdensome,... — Updated 7/10/2020
Illinois GOP sues for same social gathering exclusion as churches, protests
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Republican Party wants to be excluded from the state's social gathering restrictions, as it alleged in a federal lawsuit that churches and political... — Updated 6/17/2020
Schools to remain closed for academic year as Pritzker says virus not yet at peak
Following the lead of nearby states, Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday announced Illinois' public and private schools will remain shuttered for the rest of the school year. The... — Updated 5/14/2020
Illinois to loosen election rules for independents, third-party candidates
Illinois ballot eligibility requirements will be loosened for third-party candidates affected this election cycle by state efforts to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic. In a lawsuit filed April 2, the state’s Libertarian and... — Updated 4/21/2020
COVID-19 rules unlikely to ease by April's end
Gov. JB Pritzker said Thursday, one month since he issued a state of emergency, it is "unlikely" his stay-at-home order can be lifted safely before April 30 and organizers of large... — Updated 4/16/2020
COVID-19 IMPACTS: Employment Security department utilizes new alphabetized benefit schedule
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois department tasked with overseeing unemployment benefits is employing an alphabetized schedule to handle “an unprecedented volume” of claims. Claims now must be filed online and by phone on days and... — Updated 3/31/2020
County fairs hurt financially by COVID-19 shutdowns
The social distancing guidelines that led Illinois county fairs to cancel off-season events on their grounds through the end of April is one part of a financial impact... — Updated 3/27/2020
Community health centers ask state for emergency funding
SPRINGFIELD - The novel coronavirus could "create long-lasting, devastating damage" to Illinois health care facilities that serve vulnerable communities. Community health centers... — Updated 3/23/2020
State records 128 new coronavirus cases in one day
SPRINGFIELD - The number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in Illinois almost doubled overnight, from 160 cases to 288, the state's Department of Public Health... — Updated 3/22/2020
Supreme Court Justice Thomas announces retirement
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas, a former placekicker with the Chicago Bears, will retire from his seat on the bench effective Feb. 29. He plans to join the... — Updated 2/11/2020
Committee presses for automatic voter registration answers
A programming error in Illinois' automatic voter registration system that mistakenly enrolled more than 500 people was a "wakeup call," the state's top elections official said... — Updated 2/6/2020
Pritzker presides in Senate presidential proceedings
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker assumed a ceremonial position Sunday as senators chose a new president. The governor, a Democrat, presided over the floor vote as legislators elected... — Updated 1/20/2020
Statehouse dome inspection reveals damage
A Capitol dome study conducted earlier this month revealed “some obvious flaws on the exterior of the dome,” a state employee said Tuesday. Inspectors also found cracks inside the structure and changes made over the years that... — Updated 12/18/2019
Time for a change at Capitol Complex?
A law mandating baby changing tables be installed in both men’s and women’s restrooms beginning Jan. 1 does not apply to the Illinois State Capitol Complex, but the buildings’ architect plans to add them to some facilities... — Updated 12/11/2019
Chanukah menorah added to Capitol rotunda's holiday display
A Chanukah menorah was added to the holiday display in the Statehouse rotunda Friday, joining a holiday tree, nativity scene, satanic sculpture and Winter Solstice sign installed... — Updated 12/10/2019
Lincoln artifacts will not be auctioned, foundation announces
The foundation supporting the 16th president's library and museum announced Wednesday it no longer needs to auction off a collection of more than 1,000 Abraham and Mary Todd... — Updated 12/9/2019
Holiday symbols in Capitol offer wide range of views
Seasonal decorations are filling the Illinois Capitol rotunda - a holiday tree, nativity scene, satanic sculpture and Winter Solstice sign surround the ever-present "Illinois... — Updated 12/3/2019
Karmeier reflects on 'privilege' of leading state's highest court
Lloyd Karmeier is the third Illinois Supreme Court justice from Nashville, home to about 3,200 people two hours south of Springfield. Karmeier said “almost every one” of the cases the state’s highest court has considered... — Updated 11/6/2019
Vaping industry opposes flavored product ban
SPRINGFIELD - Vaping and other industry stakeholders opposing legislation banning flavored products said Thursday the bill would have negative health and economic impacts.... — Updated 10/24/2019
Republican lawmaker files bill to reinstate death penalty
A Republican lawmaker has filed legislation to reinstate the death penalty in Illinois, calling it an "effective tool" to dissuade violent crime. Barrington Hills Rep. David McSween... — Updated 10/14/2019
