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Sangamon Sun

Thursday, November 21, 2024

News from November 2016

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State House fails to override Rauner veto of automatic voter registration bill

By Carol Ostrow | Nov 30, 2016

Despite the Illinois Senate’s recent vote to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto on automatic voter registration, the State House failed to follow suit on Monday, resulting in a no-go for the legislation.

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Think tank calls for Illinois Taxpayer Bill of Rights

By Jeff Gantt | Nov 28, 2016

A recent article published by illinoispolicy.org is calling for an Illinois Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

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Think tank: Further talks between state, AFSCME would be waste of time

By Karen Kidd | Nov 28, 2016

The state's largest public employee union is calling for Gov. Bruce Rauner to continue negotiating after talks were declared to be at an impasse earlier this month, but further talks with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) would be pointless, an attorney for a Chicago-based think tank said recently.

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Illinois election-statistics website releases 'Post-Mortem' data report

By Jeff Gantt | Nov 28, 2016

IllinoisElectionData.com recently released its “2016 General Election Post-Mortem” data report.

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Rauner reveals ‘positive conversation' with Trump

By Jeff Gantt | Nov 28, 2016

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner recently told reporters that he spoke with President-elect Donald Trump on a private phone call and that the interaction was a “good, positive conversation.”

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Edgar County Watchdogs duo receive Krieble Foundation Unsung Hero Award

By Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 27, 2016

The Edgar County Watchdogs, Kirk Allen and John Kraft, were honored with the 2016 Vernon Krieble Foundation Unsung Hero Award recently at the State Policy Network's 24th annual meeting.

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Illinois' debt per capita ranks among 10 highest in U.S., at nearly $15,000

By Carol Ostrow | Nov 27, 2016

Ranking among the top 10 states for debt per capita, Illinois is exhibiting a continuously increasing amount of red ink per resident — particularly pension debt, as well as other calculated liabilities.

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Illinois jobless rate ticks up, despite 2,200 jobs added

By Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 27, 2016

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently released the latest data on the state's unemployment rate and job growth, and although 2,200 new jobs were created, the unemployment rate also increased, to 5.6 percent.

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Sherman board summarizes new park discussion

By Lhalie Castillo | Nov 25, 2016

The village of Sherman Board of Trustees met Sept. 20 to summarize the new park discussion.

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Sangamon zoning committee changes reporting structure

By Lhalie Castillo | Nov 25, 2016

The Sangamon County Public Health, Solid Waste and Zoning Committee met Oct. 20 to change the reporting structure of the zoning office.

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Williamsville CUSD board approves high school graduation date

By Lhalie Castillo | Nov 25, 2016

The Williamsville Community Unified School District 15 Board of Education met Oct. 17 to approve the high school graduation date.

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Sangamon County Liquor Committee addresses change in officers

By Lhalie Castillo | Nov 25, 2016

The Sangamon County Liquor Committee met Oct. 19 to address changes in officers.

Chatham library board approves 2016 audit

By Lhalie Castillo | Nov 25, 2016

The Chatham Area Public Library Board of Trustees met Oct. 17 to approve the 2016 audit.

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Analysis: Nine private taxpayers for every state/local government worker, pensioner in 87th House District

By LocalLabs News Service | Nov 22, 2016

Among registered voters, private sector taxpayers outnumber state and local public sector workers and pensioners nearly nine to one in the 87th Illinois House district, according to a Sangamon Sun analysis.

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Some fear Mendoza-Madigan alliance will worsen state government dysfunction

By Hoang Tran | Nov 19, 2016

Susana Mendoza’s election to state comptroller has many concerned with regard to her affiliation with House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), how she will work with Gov. Bruce Rauner, and how she will handle the state’s bill payments.

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Report: ARI prison-diversion program so far saves taxpayers over $75 million

By Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 19, 2016

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority released the Adult Redeploy Illinois annual report this week, saying the prison-diversion program saved taxpayers more than $75 million over the past five years.

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McCaleb editorial blasts Madigan's inaction

By Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 19, 2016

Dan McCaleb, executive editor of the Northwest Herald, has blasted Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) for his failure to act upon Illinois' overwhelming bill backlog.

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Four more manufacturers flee to states with less-hostile business climates

By Cheyenne Dickerson | Nov 19, 2016

Four Illinois manufacturers announced in October that they are leaving Illinois and relocating to bordering states to open up new plants facing less regulation.

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Analyst: GOP gains in General Assembly upend Democratic power dynamic

By Cheyenne Dickerson | Nov 19, 2016

The recent election dropped Democrats out of the supermajority in the state House as Republicans gained four seats there, in addition to two seats in the state Senate.

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Illinois labor board ruling soon may allow state to force terms on AFSCME

By Hoang Tran | Nov 19, 2016

In a victory for Gov. Bruce Rauner and his administration, the Illinois Labor Relations Board ruled, on a 5-0 vote on Nov. 15 that the state and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has reached an impasse in their contract negotiations.