U.S. states share, get creative in hunt for medical supplies
April 10, 2020
With the federal stockpile drained of protective gear, states are turning to each other, private industries and anyone who can donate in a desperate bid to get respirators, gloves and other supplies to doctors, nurses and other front-line workers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed...
Coronavirus could close Illinois community health centers
March 29, 2020
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Hundreds of health care facilities in Illinois that largely serve low-income and minority communities are facing financial chaos because they've canceled most routine doctor visits in an attempt to stymie the coronavirus pandemic, according to an industry organization's report. The in...
Ill. coronavirus cases top 200, include 42 tied to nursing home
March 19, 2020
An additional 128 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois, including 20 more individuals living or working at a nursing home in a southwestern suburb of Chicago, state officials announced Wednesday. The additional results bring the state's total to 288 cases in 17 counties, according...
Pritzker endorses Biden on eve of Illinois primary
March 16, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker endorsed Joe Biden for president on the eve of Illinois' primary, saying Monday that the Democratic former vice president “is the right candidate to beat Donald Trump and lead us into a new era.” Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are facing off on Tuesday in Illinois and...
J.B. Pritzker budget would hike spending, amount hinges on voters
February 20, 2020
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed a $40.7 billion state budget Wednesday — virtually flat from the current level — but dressed it up by dangling the prospect of a $1.4 billion revenue boost if voters approve a radical income-tax overhaul this fall. The second-year Democrat...
J.B. Pritzker proposes Illinois to go first in primary
Patsy Newitt, Assistant News Editor
February 16, 2020
With Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker, Julián Castro and Andrew Yang dropping out of the Democratic primary, the race has become almost exclusively white; led by Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, followed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Joe Biden. This lack of diversity in ca...
Illinois to continue voter registration program after error
January 28, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday that there are no plans to suspend Illinois' automatic voter registration program as election officials work to contain the fallout from more than 500 people being mistakenly registered. A "programming error” by Secretary of State Jesse White's office led to 545 people — who indicated they weren't U.S. citize...
Pritzker’s emergency order restricts timeout rooms in schools
November 21, 2019
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday ordered the state’s public schools to immediately restrict the use of isolation rooms for students who don’t pose a clear safety risk. The Democrat said he directed the Illinois State Board of Education to issue emergency rules...
Pritzker spends $850K of his money to fix Governor’s Mansion
October 6, 2019
Gov. J.B. Pritzker will spend $850,000 of his own money for continuing renovations to the historic Illinois Governor's Mansion, a move that comes after the billionaire businessman has already spent millions of dollars to cover government costs and renovations to other state buildings. The Springfield...
Illinois governor signs law to protect immigrant renters
August 21, 2019
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a law aimed at creating protections for immigrants who rent in Illinois. The law prohibits landlords from evicting or retaliating against tenants based on their immigration status. Landlords are also barred from disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration status...
Illinois House OKs tax rates for proposed graduated scale
John O'Connor, Associated Press
May 30, 2019
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Democrats who control the Illinois House on Thursday approved tiered income-tax rates that would take effect if voters opt for revamping state taxation to hit higher incomes harder, a plan they say is aimed at attacking the state's crippling debt. The 67-48 vote followed...
Voters to decide on Pritzker’s graduated income tax program
John O'Connor, Associated Press
May 27, 2019
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Voters will decide next year whether to ditch Illinois' flat-rate income tax in favor of one that hits the wealthy hardest following House action Monday that gave Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker his top campaign pledge and biggest victory since taking office. On a 73-44 roll...
