Caitlin Nordahl Stories

Illinoisans on board with public transportation, IDOT survey reports

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 19, 2017

Illinois commuters might not practice what they preach in terms of transportation, but they remain supportive of public transportation, according to the results of an annual Illinois Department of Transportation survey released recently.

lllinois Springfield campus paid nearly $1,400 for speakers' trips since 2013

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 18, 2017

The University of Illinois’ Springfield campus (UIS) spent $1,371 on travel and accommodations for its commencement speakers between 2013 and 2015, according to information provided in response to a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Aging population prompts call for Community Care changes

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 18, 2017

A plan to redesign Illinois’ Community Care Program has sparked controversy, with Gov. Bruce Rauner arguing that it is necessary to curtail the costs of a growing elderly populations and detractors arguing that it could cost the state more in the long run.

Drivers told to buckle down on buckling up or risk consequences

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 18, 2017

Illinois drivers are being reminded that the dog days of summer can be great for a road trip but not so fun if they're not playing it safe.

GOP denounces House passage of 'radical' abortion bill

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 16, 2017

House Democrats would rather spend $60 million to pay for abortions than work toward fixing the financial troubles of Illinoisans, Demetra Demonte, national committeewoman for the lllinois Republican Party, said recently, according to a press release.

Chicago schools again get huge funding preference, GOP alleges

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 15, 2017

Education funding legislation was hijacked in the final days of the spring session to provide million of dollars in extra spending to Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the Illinois Republican Party argued in a press release recently.

Law firm offers insight into workers' comp, ADA overlap

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 15, 2017

The intersection between state workers’ compensation laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be complicated, particularly when workers’ compensation complainants seek high settlements based on their inability to return to work, according to a recent article from Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates (KCB&A).

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Policy pro says 401(k) plans can help address state's mounting pension woes

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 15, 2017

Illinois should look to an existing 401(k)-style retirement plan to begin addressing its pension crisis and give state workers more surety over their futures, Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, suggested recently.

Lawyer applauds court that clamps down on causation claims

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 15, 2017

The Illinois Appellate Court’s Workers’ Compensation Division took a surprisingly conservative tack in determining causation in two cases related to firefighter injuries recently, a Chicago-based lawyer asserted.

Being 'mad at the math' won't end Illinois' ongoing financial woes, attorney says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 14, 2017

Illinois’ economy will take decades to recover from the state’s current pension and workers’ compensation obligations, to say nothing of the debts continually being added because of a significant lack of reform, according to a blistering analysis from Chicago attorney Eugene Keefe.

Pritzker offers 'laughable' rationale for property tax cut, GOP says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 13, 2017

J.B. Pritzker finds enough loopholes in the law to push a mansion through, the Illinois Republican Party suggested recently, calling out the Democratic gubernatorial candidate for a "laughable excuse" when it came to paying property taxes.

Columnist urges public to push for reforms, rebuilding

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 12, 2017

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Madeleine Doubek doesn't want Illinoisans to give up or count on the new state budget to bring a brighter future.

Madigan bullies labor union into Pritzker's corner, GOP says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 11, 2017

House Speaker Michael Madigan is already using his political muscle to manhandle the AFL-CIO into supporting billionaire J.B. Pritzker in the 2018 gubernatorial race, the Illinois Republican Party said recently.

State elections panel criticized over Mautino decision

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 10, 2017

Giving Auditor General Frank Mautino a slap on the wrist rather than handcuffs around them proves where the Illinois State Board of Elections (SBE) puts its priorities, a government oversight group argued recently.

Being 'mad at the math' won't end Illinois' ongoing financial woes, attorney says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 10, 2017

Illinois’ economy will take decades to recover from the state’s current pension and workers’ compensation obligations, to say nothing of the debts continually being added because of a significant lack of reform, according to a blistering analysis from Chicago attorney Eugene Keefe.

Group offers timeline to show 'History of Hurt' in budget impasse

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 8, 2017

As the fiscal year started July 1 in Illinois without a full budget, the Better Government Association (BGA) offered an interactive timeline detailing how the budget impasse began and progressed from the beginning of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s term in January 2015.