NW Illinois News

Lena pastor planning services after losing restraining order case against Pritzker's restrictions

By W.J. Kennedy | May 6, 2020

T​he northern Illinois church that made national headlines for holding in-person services last Sunday is planning services again for this Sunday, in defiance of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order.

Pritzker concedes to churches holding services with limited attendance

By W.J. Kennedy | May 2, 2020

Facing legal action from a Christian church in Lena, Gov. Pritzker updated his executive stay-at-home order on April 30, allowing churches to reopen and hold services if they limit attendance to 10 or fewer.

From Prairie State Wire

Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady said to have voiced private support for abortion funding, gun control legislation

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

Former high-level aides to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has revealed that Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) told the then governor he was right for signing HB 40 in September 2017, the law requiring Medicaid funding of abortions. At a separate meeting, Brady also recommended that the governor sign gun control bills should they reach his desk.

From Prairie State Wire

Pritzker’s claims of paying down pension debt “simply dishonest,” fiscal watchdog says

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

The recently approved state budget hardly makes Illinois the beacon of fiscal prudence that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders claim it is, budgetary analysts at Wirepoints say.

From Prairie State Wire

Madigan 'bullying' income tax increase through legislative process

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

House Speaker Michael Madigan used his absolute power over the legislative process to move legislation to the floor on Friday that exchanges Illinois’ constitutionally mandated flat income tax with a progressive tax.

Hospital exec, State Rep. Demmer votes to block hospital competition

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 17, 2018

State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) works for a hospital, and used to lobby for one. So when considering a bill in Springfeld last week that would have allowed Illinois surgeons to set up their own independent facilities, effectively competing with hospitals like his employer, Demmer was emphatically opposed.