Rockford Sun

From Illinois Valley Times

Demmer, Spain focus on Quincy Veterans Home budget at hearing

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

At an April 11 meeting of the House Appropriations Human Services Committee, Democrats questioned redacted emails and Freedom of Information Act (FOA) requests related to the Quincy Veterans Home, but two Republicans kept their questions to budget requests.

From Illinois Valley Times

House panel backs broadband measure despite concerns about FCC rules

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Ignoring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations is not the way to run the government, according to three GOP lawmakers who questioned Democrat-sponsored legislation.

Reducing effects of opioids in Illinois a priority, IDHS secretary says

By Angela Underwood | Apr 16, 2018

The opioid crisis continues to be a focus of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) budget, according to Secretary James Dimas.

From Illinois Valley Times

Demmer, Jesiel seek answers during hearing on bill offering recompense to adolescents in foster care

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sympathy for the plight of foster children did not keep Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) and Rep. Sheri Jesiel (R-Winthrop Harbor) from questioning Illinois' offer of recompense to adolescents.

From Prairie State Wire

Rauner signs bipartisan Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

"Can you hear me now?" will no longer be the question in the Prairie State. Gov. Bruce Rauner was loud and clear Thursday when announcing the Small Wireless Facilities Development Act, which he signed with Republican lawmakers at this side.

From Prairie State Wire

Harold wins Republican nomination for Attorney General

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

It will not be the first time Erika Harold will hear “the winner is.”

From Prairie State Wire

Pritzker wins Democratic nod for governor

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

It’s official -- J.B. Pritzker is the Democratic candidate for governor despite coming under heavy fire from the press and public in recent months.

From Illinois Valley Times

Bivins introduces bill for registry to aid addiction recovery efforts

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sen. Tim Bivins (R-Dixon) wants to see recovering addicts in Illinois stay clean and proposed new legislation to help that happen.

From Will County Gazette

McDermed leads House in honoring women; Demmer's praise of Bellock draws applause

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Nevertheless she persisted was the theme in the Springfield capital.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Bill on medical marijuana use in schools moves to House floor

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Several GOP lawmakers discussed policy regarding the administration of medical marijuana to epileptic students during a recent hearing of the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee.

From Prairie State Wire

Trailing bill on $350 million education funding formula raises questions

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Some GOP representatives saw the allocation of $350 million dollar in evidence-based education funding much differently than others during last week's debate in the House.

Stewart, Cabello raise issues over 'rushed' gun legislation

By Angela Underwood | Mar 8, 2018

Reps. Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) and John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) had serious issues with recent Democratic-sponsored gun legislation, saying the bills were rushed and had negative Second Amendment rights consequences.

From Prairie State Wire

Firearm magazine bill honoring slain officer clears House panel despite being called rushed

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

At a Feb. 27 House Judiciary Criminal Committee meeting, proposed legislation regarding firearm magazines, which was brought before them in honor of Chicago police commander killed earlier in the month, had some committee members calling the legislation rushed and disrespectful to the 53-year-old commander.

Cabello questions gun legislation during House floor debate

By Angela Underwood | Mar 6, 2018

In the wake of the Parkland, Florida, mass shooting, Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) questioned how effective newly proposed gun legislation really would be in Illinois.

From Prairie State Wire

Bellock, Demmer commend approval of $3.5 billion health care legislation

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Reps. Patricia Bellock (R-Hinsdale) and Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) praised fellow lawmakers on the House floor last week after two health-care related bills they had worked on for over six months were approved.

From Prairie State Wire

Syverson, Righter help move hospital assessment program bills through Senate

By Angela Underwood | 7 years ago

Sens. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) added their voices in support of a pair of Senate bills that had to pass together for the federal authorization of $3.5 billion needed to maintain the Illinois Hospital Assessment Program ending in June.

Syverson debates managed care organizations and vendor rates during committee hearing

By Angela Underwood | Feb 22, 2018

To Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford), the government has no business price-fixing when it comes to vendors dealing with managed care organizations (MCOs).

Cabello defends Corrections Department during House panel hearing

By Angela Underwood | Dec 6, 2017

Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) came to the defense of the Department of Corrections (DOC) during a five-hour-long House Appropriations-Public Safety Committee hearing on violence in DOC facilities.

Syverson calls measures aimed at small wireless facilities, drug-monitoring database ideal for state

By Angela Underwood | Nov 20, 2017

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) said legislation related to small wireless facilities looks to the future and a drug-monitoring database is a good directive for doctors.