Macon Reporter

From Prairie State Wire

Former state Rep. Breen launches Fair Maps initiative

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Former state Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) is leading the charge for a constitutional amendment on the 2020 ballot that would create fair legislative maps for Illinois, launching a new website today.

From Chambana Sun

State Rep. Dan Caulkins says it's critical that Illinois begin pension reforms

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) fumes about how little the state seems willing to do to erase or at least retool its crippling pension debt system.

Halbrook says state's pension system is 'teetering on insolvency'

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 22, 2019

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) worries how much longer Illinois can stay on its current course given the state’s mounting pension liability.

In wake of shootings, Halbrook says 'things would be worse' if people were not able to possess firearms

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 16, 2019

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is standing by the constitution as the battle over gun control has reignited across the country in the wake of a pair of mass shootings earlier this month that left at least 31 dead.

Halbrook's township vacancy bill 'a good bill,' Caulkins says

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 16, 2019

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) has a simple philosophy when it comes to deciding what bills and legislation he comes to support in Springfield.

From Chambana Sun

'Sen. Cullerton should step down' amid federal corruption charges, Rep. Halbrook insists

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has joined the growing chorus of Springfield lawmakers now calling for state Sen. Thomas Cullerton (D-Villa Park) to step down in the wake of last week's federal corruption indictment.

From Prairie State Wire

IPI report illustrates just how unsustainable are Illinois' broken pension systems

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Over the last 30 days, Illinois’ already overtaxed state-run pension systems have added at least 651 retired government workers that are projected to average $1.3 million in lifetime pension benefits, according to an Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) report.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois home values show little growth compared to neighbors, rest of U.S., Wirepoints reports

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois ranked near the bottom in average U.S. home values over a 12-year period ending in 2017, according to a new Wirepoints report.

From Chambana Sun

Rep. Dan Caulkins blames incidents like Cullerton's indictment for exodus of people from Illinois

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) sees state Sen. Thomas Cullerton’s federal indictment on corruption charges as just another black-eye for the face of Illinois politics.

Rep. Caulkins hosts Open Government event

By Glenn Minnis | Aug 2, 2019

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) recently hosted an Open Government Night with U.S. Rep Rodney Davis at Richland Community College in Decatur.

From Chambana Sun

Rep. Caulkins questions motivation behind Democratic support for two new immigration laws

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) offers an analogy to describe Democrats' relentless opposition to President Donald Trump's administration on the issue of immigration.

From Chambana Sun

Rep. Halbrook opposes two new immigration laws

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Brad Holbrook (R-Shelbyville) has a near-ironclad policy when it comes to the issue of federal immigration laws.

From Prairie State Wire

GOP chair Schneider wants answers from Speaker Madigan as probe reveals payments to former aide

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois GOP Chairman Tim Schneider is demanding answers from House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) in the wake of an ongoing criminal probe where several people with close ties to the longtime Democratic leader have already been implicated.

From Chambana Sun

'Springfield can't get out of its own way,' laments Rep. Caulkins on Illinois' property tax crisis

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) fumes about the way the state legislature in Springfield has become the enemy in the eyes of people it is supposed to serve.

Halbrook calls for 'real change' on property taxes

By Glenn Minnis | Jul 25, 2019

Times like these call for drastic measures in the state of Illinois, according to Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville).

From Prairie State Wire

Onetime primary opponent says legal case against Madigan is strong, 2016 'fraud' will be revealed

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Jason Gonzales insists that his legal stand against Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) is about much more than losing a 2016 Democratic primary at the hands of the Illinois House Speaker's powerful political machine.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Ives to run in 6th District Republican primary

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

For former Illinois state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), her recent decision to run in 2020 against U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove) in the 6th Congressional District comes down to her love for America.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Ives sets sights on GOP bid in 6th Congressional District

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Former state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R. Wheaton), who narrowly lost her bid to unseat then Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the GOP primary just over a year ago, is back in the political spotlight after announcing her run in the 6th Congressional District.

From Chambana Sun

Illinois digging its own grave with irresponsible policies and projects, cautions Rep. Halbrook

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) wonders how long Illinois can survive with policies like the new $85 billion state budget just signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker setting the tone for the way the state operates.

From Chambana Sun

Illinois Policy Institute raises questions about 'pork-barrel projects' in state budget

By Glenn Minnis | 6 years ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) was not the least bit surprised to learn that Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) is reporting that $45 billion from the new state budget set aside for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital spending plan includes up to as much as $1.25 billion in pork-barrel projects requiring localized spending that could be construed as political payback or special treatment for an elite few.