State news Archives - Evanston Now

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Biss: School funding ‘absurdly illogical’

The Illinois Senate Tuesday approved a resolution co-sponsored by Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) to form an advisory committee to come up with a new model for funding education in the

By Bill Smith on May 15, 2013 - 7:44 am

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Biss ‘Employment First Act’ heads to governor

The Illinois Employment First Act for the disabled, sponsored by State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), passed the Senate today by a vote of 54-0 and now awaits the governor’s signature.

By Bill Smith on May 14, 2013 - 8:02 pm

Fine seeks higher auto insurance minimums

State Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is sponsoring legislation to increase mandatory liability insurance coverage for Illinois drivers. “This is an important measure aimed at protecting our roads and drivers,” Fine

By Bill Smith on May 14, 2013 - 7:57 pm

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House passes pension reform bill

Just one of the three lawmakers who represent parts of Evanston voted in favor of a pension reform bill that passed the Illinois House this afternoon on a 62-51 vote.

By Bill Smith on May 2, 2013 - 10:22 pm

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Madigan ties pension funding guarantees to cuts

SPRINGFIELD — Public employee unions in Illinois seem willing to play chicken with what may be Democrats’ final offer on pension reform. 16615

By Illinois Watchdog on May 1, 2013 - 9:23 pm

Latest pension ideas designed to please courts

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are no longer talking about being fair to public employees with pension reforms. Instead, with about a month to go in the legislative calendar, lawmakers are

By Illinois Watchdog on May 1, 2013 - 12:28 am

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Biss bill seeks to break academic journal cartel

State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) wants Illinois’ state universities to join the hundreds of institutions worldwide that have “open access” policies to make taxpayer-funded research available to the public at

By Bill Smith on April 25, 2013 - 7:34 pm

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Senate OKs Biss bill limiting police use of drones

The Illinois Senate today approved a bill introduced by Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston that would require law enforcement officers to obtain a warrant before using a remote-controlled aircraft or

By Bill Smith on April 18, 2013 - 7:19 pm

Medical marijuana bill clears state house

SPRINGFIELD — Sick people in Illinois who want to use medical marijuana are in for a long, regulated wait. 16444

By Illinois Watchdog on April 18, 2013 - 12:50 am

Way now open for more restrictive concealed carry law

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says the U.S. Supreme Court has now opened the way to a more restrictive concealed carry gun law in Illinois. 16415

By Illinois Watchdog on April 15, 2013 - 10:19 pm

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Chico: State sending schools into ‘free fall’

As Illinois pays more for pensions, and less for everything else, Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery Chico says more local school districts are being forced into debt. 16401

By Illinois Watchdog on April 14, 2013 - 8:21 pm

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Biss bill would limit police drone use

Illinois would sharply limit police use of unmanned aircraft, or drones, under a bill sponsored by State Sen. Daniel Biss. SB 1587, the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act, would generally require

By Bill Smith on April 9, 2013 - 2:29 pm

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Cities target travel sites over hotel tax

Attorneys for several Illinois towns are suing online travel sites claiming they should pay hotel taxes on the spread between the bulk rate they pay hotels and what consumers pay

By Illinois Watchdog on April 8, 2013 - 10:12 pm

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Biss pension plan goes down to defeat

A plan for a comprehensive reform of public pensions in Illinois proposed by State Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston went down to defeat in the state Senate Wednesday. The Biss

By Bill Smith on March 21, 2013 - 10:36 am

Already broke, state officials predict Medicaid ‘train wreck’

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois wants to be the engine that pulls states toward the Affordable Care Act, yet a metaphorical “train wreck” is just around the bend. 16159

By Illinois Watchdog on March 19, 2013 - 11:30 pm

Fine pushes bills for renewable energy

State Rep. Laura Fine has introduced two bills aimed at increasing consumer access to renewable energy sources. 16111

By Bill Smith on March 15, 2013 - 3:18 pm

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