-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Don’t Quit, 99%. Get Louder. Occupy Every Street. United States Alabama Occupy Auburn Occupy Birmingham Occupy Huntsville Occupy Mobile Occupy Tuscaloosa Alaska Occupy Alaska Occupy Anchorage Arizona Occupy Arizona Occupy Flagstaff Occupy Phoenix Occupy Prescott Occupy Sedona Occupy Tempe Occupy Tucson Occupy Yuma Arkansas Occupy Arkansas Occupy Fayetteville Occupy Little Rock California Occupy Arcata Occupy … Continue reading
via Jennifer Brandel, WBEZ Gov. Pat Quinn said Wendesday he’s willing to consider reallocating money to avoid a prison closing. Seven state facilities including a central Illinois prison might close because of a lack of state funds. But Quinn said the money to keep the prison open must come from re-allocation, and that he won’t … Continue reading
Four states have announced that they will be raising their minimum wage rates for 2012, led by Washington state, which will become the first in the country with a minimum wage over $9 per hour. The 37-cent bump in Washington will hike the wage to $9.04, or $1.79 per hour more than the federal minimum … Continue reading
This week, a judge once again shot down an appeal by Catholic Charities, which wants to continue handling adoptions and foster care applications in Illinois while refusing to place children with same-sex or unmarried couples. The state decided to end its contract with the charity–and now Catholics are fighting back against the “gay agenda” in … Continue reading
[Editress’ Note: published for my friend, the remarkable Mr. Michael Cassidy] Is it wise for the City of Rockford to contract with Mike Cassidy and McGuireWoods, the firm for which he works, to lobby on behalf of Rockford in Springfield? The cost is $10,000 a month, and aldermen voted 13 to 1 Monday to pay … Continue reading
In a move that could give Illinois more flexibility over how it holds schools accountable, the Obama administration announced Thursday that it will waive key portions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act for states that commit to certain reform efforts. In recent years, state superintendents, educators and critics of the law have argued … Continue reading
Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), a Tea Party leader, on Wednesday announced he will run from the new 14th congressional district in Illinois, setting up a potential primary with Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) Walsh now represents the 8th district and Hultgren the 14th. By running from the 14th, Republicans are without a well known candidate in … Continue reading
Not long after ink from the governor’s signature had dried on Illinois’ civil unions law, Todd and Mark Wathen began preparations for a June ceremony. The couple wanted to hold the event somewhere quaint in central Illinois, a place that would be convenient to family in Kentucky and Indiana and to their home in Mattoon. … Continue reading
Federal prosecutors argue Rod Blagojevich could serve 30 years to life in prison, sources say — a sentencing range that will be bitterly disputed by the former governor’s defense lawyers. Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky wouldn’t discuss the government’s numbers, which were submitted in private. But he said the defense will submit its own calculations. “We … Continue reading
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has shot down legislation that would have made it easier for the state’s two largest electric utilities to raise rates in order to make improvements to the power grid. “It may be a dream come true for Commonwealth Edison, but it’s a nightmare for consumers in Illinois,” Quinn said before vetoing … Continue reading
When President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress about jobs Thursday night, one Illinois congressman won’t be there. Freshman Tea Party Republican Joe Walsh (8th) is making good on promises not to show up for the speech. Instead Walsh will hold a “small business job forum” in his Illinois district “with the people who … Continue reading
Workers across Illinois will find out Thursday whether they’ll lose their jobs. Gov. Quinn said earlier this week thousands of state workers will be out of work because of a budget shortfall that doesn’t leave enough money to pay them. He also plans to make cuts to services, which could include closing a prison, a … Continue reading
White House press secretary Jay Carney on Sunday chose his words carefully when asked what he thought of Rep. Joe Walsh’s (R-Ill.) decision to boycott President Obama’s jobs speech before a joint session of Congress on Thursday. “The idea that the president of the United States giving a speech about the need to grow the … Continue reading
The Brandt Standard 