Our Universities: The Greatest Challenge
Threats to higher education come not primarily from shady lenders, crass bankers and bureaucrats interested in turning government-subsidized, student-borrowed, dollars into operating capital, elected officials who want to use educational systems for personal gain, but from a bevy of educational leaders, faculty and staff concerned about almost anything other than a positive intellectual and moral impact on the lives of students.
How Madigan builds his patronage army
When House Speaker Michael Madigan accidentally triggered a patronage scandal at the Metra commuter rail agency, it was the result of two extraordinary events.
DCFS under fire about the number of child deaths in state
CHICAGO — Lawmakers questioned Illinois child welfare officials Tuesday about an increase in the number of children reported to have died of neglect or abuse in the state, though agency officials argued the number partly reflected a change in the way neglect cases are counted.
Obituary – Mollie Atchison – Sesser
SESSER — Mollie Atchison, 97, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at her home.
Breaking News
Rauner would veto Chicago pension bill
Republican candidate Bruce Rauner said today that if he were governor, he would veto legislation lawmakers sent to Gov. Pat Quinn last week that would cut pension benefits for some city workers and allow aldermen to raise property taxes to shore up the retirement program. Here’s the link to the story at the Chicago Tribune. […]
Madigan dropping plan to tax Illinois millionaires
House Speaker Michael Madigan has pulled the plug on his proposed constitutional amendment to impose a surcharge on incomes over $1 million a year.
Read more: http://www.sj-r.com/article/20140409/News/140409326#ixzz2yUezxSft
Vallas lands six-figure job with Quinn supporter
Paul Vallas, who returned to Illinois last month as Gov. Pat Quinn’s running mate, has been hired to a six-figure job as a municipal finance consultant by a longtime friend and political supporter of the Democratic governor.
IHSA replies to action by Illinois House
Statement by IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman regarding HR 0895 that was approved today by the Illinois House:
“We believe that the Illinois High School Association has been a model of transparency in the great state of Illinois for over 100 years. The Association has nothing to hide and will be fully cooperative with the General Assembly, as we have done on so many other issues before.
Illinois House OKs resolution calling for review of IHSA
The Illinois House approved a resolution Monday that calls for a review of the body that oversees high school sports and other extracurricular activities — including whether a state agency should take over its duties. Here’s a link to the story in the Belleville News-Democrat.
State Supreme Court strikes down eavesdropping law
By Steve Schmadeke Tribune reporter
The Illinois Supreme Court this morning struck down the state’s eavesdropping law, one of the strictest in the nation that made audio recording of any person, even in public, illegal unless that person gave their consent.