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Carol Ostrow News

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Public affairs hall welcoming Springfield, Chicago, KC trio

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 27, 2017

Three journalists from Springfield, Chicago and Kansas City will be inducted into the Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) on March 6, the school announced recently.

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FixIllinois.com petition offers hope to union workers

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 20, 2017

'Sign the petition to support the fair contract offered to AFSCME by the state,' states a recent online plea for union workers to collect their due even as the large AFSCME maintains its 'outrageous' demands.

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Illinois Libertarians endorse Skillicorn’s Campaign Fairness Act

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 19, 2017

The Libertarian Party of Illinois recently announced its support for a new measure introduced by Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) that if passed, would offer greater parity to election candidates representing independent and minor parties.

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Critics: Kennedy more interested in impressing Madigan than pleasing voters

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 16, 2017

When it comes to public statements, Chris Kennedy appears to be a man of few words, as evidenced by recent attempts to pinpoint his candidacy status amid talk of a possible run for Illinois governor.

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State GOP: Madigan’s democracy talk ‘doublespeak’ for dictatorship

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 12, 2017

Republicans say that, in Illinois, there exists a democracy of one — Mike Madigan, to be exact — with the longtime House speaker managing affairs as if the state were a dictatorship rather than a system of egalitarianism.

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BGA: Elected leaders averse to watchdog group oversight

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 9, 2017

The Chicago-based Better Government Association (BGA) watchdog group recently shared its viewpoint via an online article that Illinois government leaders practice a strong avoidance of organizations — such as itself — that are equipped to expose accountability.

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Pritzker accused of trying to 'whitewash history,' ties with Blagojevich

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 8, 2017

The traditional 'fight or flight' motif took on new dimensions when potential gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker's camp played 'dodge and distract' in efforts to divert observers from spotting his existing connections to imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

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Democrat Ford suggests he's open to term-limits legislation

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 6, 2017

In a public statement, state Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) recently said term limits would be one way to help bridge the gap with GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner on his calls for reform and possibly help end the budget impasse -- a rare departure from the usual Democratic protocols in the General Assembly.

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Illinois offers ample tax breaks but pays the price

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 6, 2017

The state of Illinois gives back more than $9.4 billion in cash and tax credits to individuals and businesses, the Better Government Association (BGA) reported after analyzing tax data to show the impact such tax breaks have on residents and the state's budget.

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Rauner taps Munger as deputy governor to leverage her versatile skillset

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 3, 2017

Chosen for her extensive business, government and human services experience, former Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger was named deputy governor today by Gov. Bruce Rauner in order to support conquering the state’s financial ordeals.

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ILA: Hutchinson amendment threatens people's right to safety

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 31, 2017

If an amendment recently introduced in Springfield by state Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) passes muster, Illinois dwellers could face what the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) considers taxation of citizens’ Second Amendment rights.

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Critics say 'House of Madigan' continues to play by own rules

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 29, 2017

Several Illinois legislators have responded to the House’s latest capitulation to longtime Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), decrying the body’s utter lack of independence or apparent motivation to value representation of home jurisdictions over the speaker’s sway.

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25 notable Illinois sites join historic register

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 29, 2017

From a farmhouse to a church inspiring Gospel music, 25 historically significant sites throughout Illinois were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 thanks to the Springfield-based Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA).

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Rauner cites ‘moral obligation’ to attain better future

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 29, 2017

Following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s recent State of the State address in Springfield, major news organizations observed the highlights and takeaways as Rauner reiterated remarks on continuing budget gridlock while simultaneously calling for compromise and reform.

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Some AFSCME members disapprove of union's negotiating tactics

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 22, 2017

Not all Illinois public employees who are members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are gung-ho and in lockstep with the government-worker union's negotiating tactics.

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Chatham mayor rebuked for rude gesture

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 15, 2017

After Chatham Mayor Tom Gray used obscene body language at a meeting that was originally scheduled as an ethics commission hearing against the mayor himself, the Village of Chatham unanimously voted to censure him.

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$400 million in premiums renews call for state workers' compensation reform

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 9, 2017

Workers’ compensation is perceived primarily as a responsibility of private-sector businesses in Illinois, which have the highest premiums in the Midwest, but industry experts said Prairie State taxpayers shell out over $400 million annually for the program.

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Easy street may be over for Illinois' House Democrats

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 9, 2017

Illinois House Democrats may be coming to the end of a 'comfortable' era working alongside Speaker Mike Madigan, with long-time mutual back-scratching among the statesman’s elected cronies possibly diminishing soon, according to the 'News-Gazette.'

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More Madigan-generated woes expected for Illinois, editorial board says

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 9, 2017

Even as Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to strive toward a potential state budget solution, House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) “delays and offers nothing,” the Chicago Tribune recently reported while continuing its coverage of Illinois’ hemorrhaging finances.

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ECW urges Chatham clerk to resign over election petition handling

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 6, 2017

Alleging election and oath of office violations in the Village of Chatham, Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) recently requested that Village Clerk Pat Schad resign -- first at a recent board meeting and subsequently via ECW’s website.