Governor Rauner plays games with the death penalty and mental health in the hopes of winning November’s election.
Tag: General Assembly
Posted inBlogs
You’re innocent until proven guilty—but that doesn’t mean you can vote
Dems and Republicans clashed over a bill giving those unable to post bond while awaiting trial the right to vote.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Rauner’s ‘special session’ was nothing special
The governor summoned legislators to Springfield for absolutely no reason.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Where were the Illinois gubernatorial candidates when we really needed them?
It’s good to see Democrats moving to the left as the gubernatorial primary ramps up—but what have they done for you lately?
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Rauner has made the budget impasse his favorite campaign weapon
No matter what Illinois Democrats do to dislodge the budget stalemate, the governor will blast them.
Posted inBlogs
Black Scholars Salon with Thelma Golden, WhiskyFest Chicago kick-off, and more things to do this week
Open Books and Laugh, Karaoke Night, and more happenings from April 17-20.
Posted inBlogs
Like Governor Rauner, Speaker Madigan says he has the right to do public business in secret
Mike Madigan says the Freedom of Information Act doesn’t apply to him.
Posted inBlogs
State budget showdown puts criminal justice reforms on hold
Bills to decriminalize pot and shrink the prison population are in purgatory while the governor and Democrats feud.
Posted inBlogs
Who killed the CPS pension extension bill?
Chicago’s three most powerful politicians—Rauner, Rahm, and Madigan—have said they support a bill that gives Chicago extra time to contribute $634 million to the Chicago teachers’ pension fund. Someone’s not being honest.
Posted inBlogs
Some Democrats say Governor Rauner is ‘personable’ when he’s not gutting services for the poor and infirm
Chicago elected officials who sat down with the governor say sweet talk only goes so far.
Posted inBlogs
Rahm Emanuel’s evolving position on the minimum wage
The mayor is certain that the city’s new minimum wage law will help people, starting with him.
Posted inBlogs
After campaigning as an outsider, governor-elect Rauner calls on Bill Daley for help
In his first press conference since being elected, Bruce Rauner names long-time insiders to his transition team but reveals little about his plans in office.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Rahm decrees: No elected school board vote for you!
The mayor plays politics with the schools by vowing to keep politics out of the schools.
Posted inBlogs
Marijuana votes produce legal haze and hope for reforms
Legalization votes in Colorado and Washington show that the nation’s marijuana policies are a tangled mess
Posted inBlogs
Marijuana reforms wither in General Assembly
It’s not clear when—or if—legislators will take up proposals to change state pot laws