Giovanni Whaley Stories

Ailing insurance industry only going to get worse in Illinois, broker maintains

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 27, 2017

Health insurance options for those on plans under the Affordable Care Act are dwindling in Illinois, and things are only going to get worse without taxpayer intervention, C. Steven Tucker, founder and principal broker of HealthInsuranceMentors.com, contends.

Illinois blocks small businesses with 'not welcome' signs, researcher says

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 23, 2017

The only thing occupational licenses do is give some businesses a license to try to prevent other businesses from existing, Dick Carpenter, the director for strategic research at the Institute for Justice, said on a Chicago radio program recently.

Measure called a must for continuing help to disabled in Illinois

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 21, 2017

Direct support professionals who take care of people with disabilities in Illinois barely earn a living wage, but they won't see that change at least until fall, when the House is expected to again take up Senate Bill 955, which passed the Senate in May.

Phillips contends budget vote was about helping district, 'friends'

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 19, 2017

Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston) is challenging critics of his vote for the new Illinois budget to tell him what they would have done.

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Roskam urges voters to remember what is behind Democrats' mask

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 18, 2017

The state budget passage pulled the mask off the Democratic Party to reveal the ugly truth: It is all about raising taxes without any pretense of reform, U.S. Peter Roskam (R-IL) said on a recent radio program.

Morrison says GOP legislators gave themselves black eye with budget passage

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 11, 2017

Republicans who stepped in to help Democrats pass Illinois' first full budget in two years only ended up hurting their party, Tom Morrison, (R-Palatine) told Dan Proft and guest host Kristen McQueary of "Chicago’s Morning Answer" radio show recently.

Non-profit offers little slice of America to troops abroad

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 10, 2017

Pizzas 4 Patriots recently returned the favor to those who deliver for America.

Skynyrd brings Southern flavor to concert for troops

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 8, 2017

Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline an upcoming concert meant to thank those who keep Americans "free birds."

Chicago Drum website wants to refocus conversations on black community

By Giovanni Whaley | Jul 3, 2017

Charles Thomas, former political reporter for ABC 7 in Chicago is now the founder of a new website called the Chicago Drum which he hope will change the narrative regarding the black community in Illinois.

To change Illinois, change its constitution, lawyer says

By Giovanni Whaley | Jun 15, 2017

Reforming the Illinois Constitution and making sure the right people are in power to put the state on a fiscally responsible path is the way to securing a bright future, according to Jacob Huebert, a senior attorney at the Liberty Justice Center.

Rauner tells people: Power of change is in your hands alone

By Giovanni Whaley | Jun 6, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner told listeners of "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show that they'd better not rely on entrenched politicians to save them.

As Illinois' economy heads south, so does a view of its possible future

By Giovanni Whaley | Jun 4, 2017

Puerto Rico is 2,000 miles from Illinois, but their similar financial failures make them look like next-door neighbors is some respects.

Dems keep reaching into taxpayer pockets rather than reaching for reforms, Ives says

By Giovanni Whaley | May 25, 2017

Senate Democrats think it's easy to reach into taxpayer pockets and pull out $5.4 billion, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) said on a Chicago-based radio show following Tuesday's vote on Senate Bill 9.

Dems accused of tossing party into potty in attempt to reach Trump voters

By Giovanni Whaley | May 18, 2017

Michelle Obama once gave her fellow Democrats advice on how to deal with Republicans: “When they go low, we go high," she said.

Circuit court hears health care workers in $32 million union fee case

By Giovanni Whaley | May 18, 2017

Home health care workers in Illinois are arguing their case before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago in an effort to win back more than $32 million in union fees they were forced to pay to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Equal pay bill 'hurts good players, too,' business owner argues

By Giovanni Whaley | May 17, 2017

Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) has sponsored a bill she believes will help move women’s rights one step forward in the workplace, but not everyone agrees.

Saving Illinois starts with changing its Constitution, groups argue

By Giovanni Whaley | May 15, 2017

Amending the Illinois Constitution is the only way to reform policies that have destroyed the economic and political landscape of the state for decades, according to An Illinois Constitution for the 21st Century, a book co-published by the Illinois Policy Institute and Liberty Justice Center.