NW Illinois News

State Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a motion yesterday asking the court to dissolve the preliminary injunction that ordered state worker paychecks to continue while the Illinois budget was at an impasse.

Taxpayers' Federation weighs in on budget compromise discussion

A potential solution in Illinois’ long-running and often contentious budget impasse may finally be in sight.

Rauner cites ‘moral obligation’ to attain better future

Following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s recent State of the State address in Springfield, major news organizations observed the highlights and takeaways as he reiterated remarks on continuing budget gridlock while simultaneously calling for compromise and reform.

Critics say 'House of Madigan' continues to play by own rules

Several Illinois legislators have responded to the House’s latest capitulation to longtime Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), decrying the body’s utter lack of independence or apparent motivation to value representation of home jurisdictions over the speaker’s sway.

High property taxes a multilayered problem in Illinois

By NW Illinois News | Feb 2, 2017

Property owners in Illinois are the hardest hit in the nation when it comes to taxes. And the property tax burden coupled with falling home values is crippling homeowners and leading many Illinois families to deduce that buying a home in Illinois just isn’t worth it.

Ogle County Board addresses board vacancies

The Ogle County Board met Nov. 15 to address board vacancies.

Jo Daviess County Emergency Telephone System Board updates webpage

The Jo Daviess County Emergency Telephone System Board met Jan. 4 to update the webpage.

Ogle County Facilities Committee approves bill pay

The Ogle County Facilities Committee met Jan. 10 to approve bill pay.

Ogle County GIS committee works on online mapping application

The Ogle County IT/GIS Committee met Jan 10 to work on an online mapping application.

Think tank, state reps propose Budget Solutions 2018 plan to close $7.1 billion deficit

By NW Illinois News | Feb 1, 2017

The Illinois Policy Institute is proposing a budget conservative group leaders contend would put an end to the state’s nearly two-year impasse, closing a $7.1 billion deficit without adding any new taxes.

Former state school employee Cooper paid in $89K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $2.01M in retirement

Former state school employee Carol Cooper, who retired in January 2017, saved $89,267 toward a pension over 30 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Pierce paid in $6K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $123K in retirement

Former state school employee Carol Pierce, who retired in January 2017, saved $5,718 toward a pension over 1 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Lindquist paid in $36K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $1M in retirement

Former state school employee Cynthia Lindquist, who retired in January 2017, saved $35,615 toward a pension over 10 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

One drug law violation reported on Highland Community College campus in 2016

There was 1 on-campus drug law violation in 2016 on the campus of Highland Community College, located in Freeport, according to the most recent crime statistics available on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) website.

Former state school employee Evans paid in $12K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $699K in retirement

Former state school employee Susan Evans, who retired in January 2017, saved $12,010 toward a pension over 8 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Sherman paid in $15K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $285K in retirement

Former state school employee Glenn Sherman, who retired in January 2017, saved $15,239 toward a pension over 3 years working for public schools, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois records show.

Former state school employee Bottelman paid in $37K to teachers' pension fund, could collect $485K in retirement