News

Legislation Introduced to Track State Spending

Sean Flavin — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:51:31 +0000

A pair of Illinois House Republicans are introducing legislation they say will make it easier to track state spending. One proposal would expand the Illinois Transparency Portal, which looks at state spending, to include local government. Representative Ron Sandack, a Republican from Downers Grove, says taxpayers know the state is facing a debt crisis, but many don’t know local governments face similar problems.

Separate legislation would create a board to monitor state and local government taxes, spending, and debt.

Area memorial day events

Alex Rusciano — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:49:36 +0000

Several Memorial Day events are planned this weekend to honor past and present soldiers. The American Legion Post Two conducts services Sunday morning at St. Mary’s Cemetery at 10:30, Parkview Cemetery at 11:15 and at noon at Veterans Park.

IL House approves concealed carry plan

Alex Rusciano — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:43:28 +0000

The Illinois House Friday approved legislation that would let gun owners carry concealed firearms in public. But as IPR’s Brian Mackey reports, the governor says he'll work to "stop it in its tracks."

District 150 Board considering new school police union contract

Alex Rusciano — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:38:22 +0000

The District 150 School Board will consider a contract next Tuesday with the district’s police union. Members of the Police Benevolent Protective Local 114 have been working without a contract for the last three years, and had their title changed to school resource officers in that time. Union president Monica Wilson says the last contract with the district expired in June of 2010:

Out and About - May 24, 2013

Nathan Irwin — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:58:40 +0000

Corn Stock Theatre is celebrating it's 60th season this summer. Theatre Manager Cindy Hoey joins us to talk about some of the productions planned for the season, including a visit by guest artist, and Peoria native, Steve Vinovich. Corn Stock will also present "The Wiz" for the first time, with a new director. The season kicks off with "The Music Man," which runs May 31st to June 8th.

American Mausoleum gets a facelift

Denise Molina — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:29:05 +0000

The Peoria County State’s Attorney says the county remains committed to keeping the American Mausoleum operating properly. The state’s attorney’s office was granted authority to take over the site in the summer of 2008 after the Mausoleum’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy.

Why are gas prices higher in Chicago?

Denise Molina and Michael Puente — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:22:43 +0000

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and people are hitting the road. Drivers are paying more for gas. The Lundberg Survey says the price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States rose sharply in the last two weeks because of outages at Midwest and West Coast refineries. Gas prices in Chicago are often higher than New York, Los Angeles -- even Hawaii. Why does this happen when we aren’t far from oil-rich Canada and we have a huge refinery right next door. Illinois Public Radio’s Michael Puente reports.

Judges left out of pension conversation

Denise Molina and Amanda Vinicky — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:12:40 +0000

Illinois lawmakers remain at odds over how to handle the state's 100 billion dollars of pension debt. But there's a chance that this spring the General Assembly may finally do something about it. After years of no major action, there are not one, but two major packages designed to reign in Illinois' retirement costs. The House and Senate passed competing plans. Both of them seek to save Illinois money by cutting current and retired government workers' benefits.

House to consider concealed-carry legislation

Denise Molina and Chris Slaby — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:03:31 +0000

A measure that would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms is heading to the House floor after lawmakers approved it in committee Thursday. The legislation prohibits concealed-carry in many public places, like public transit, sports arenas, schools, and street festivals. Some of these have been sticking points for gun-rights advocates, who would prefer universal carry.

Senate approves creation of health insurance exchange

Denise Molina and Brian Mackey — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:57:07 +0000

The Illinois Senate took a key step Thursday toward implementing the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare." Senators approved the creation of a "health insurance exchange." But as IPR’S Brian Mackey reports, it's still a long way from becoming law.

A health insurance exchange is at the heart of the Affordable Care Act. It's a marketplace where people who don't otherwise have insurance, like through an employer, are supposed to be able to find it.

Measure closing "tax loopholes" heads to the House

Denise Molina and Chris Slaby — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:45:12 +0000

A measure that would close three so-called “corporate tax loopholes” in Illinois is beginning to make its way through the House. Governor Pat Quinn’s office says Illinois could bring in as much as 445-million dollars by ending the tax breaks.