Politics trumps good policy during Senate budget hearing

Weeks of negotiations on a path to filling the $1.6 billion budget hole left by former Gov. Quinn were placed in jeopardy when Senate Democrats placed politics before the process of identifying a real solution to the fiscal crisis that they helped create. read more...

Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Hearings

The Senate’s Appropriations I and II committees heard testimony during the week on projected budgetary needs from several state agencies, boards and commissions. read more...

Rauner begins IDOC and criminal justice reform

State Senators Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles) and Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton) were appointed to serve on Gov. Rauner’s newly-formed Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform. read more...

Legislative Agricultural Day

Illinois has a diverse background in agricultural education and the state’s youth often get their start in hundreds of FFA Chapters and county fairs across the state. read more...

Attorney General, ICC called on to investigate ComEd allegations

Serious allegations that ComEd may have improperly used ratepayer funds prompted State Sen. Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) to call on Attorney General Lisa Madigan and ICC Chairman Brien Sheahan to take immediate action to protect ComEd ratepayers. read more...