Search query: Illinois

In Illinois, a judge is expected to rule whether one of the top Republican challengers to Donald Trump is eligible to run for president. Born in Canada to an American mother and a Cuban father, the matter of Ted Cruz's eligibility to run for president has long been an issue. Throughout his political career, Cruz has consistently maintained that he is eligible to run for president by being born to an American abroad. In January, Poplar Grove lawyer Lawrence J. Joyce filed a complaint with the I

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dennis FitzSimons, Chair of the Independent Maps coalition, issued the following statement in response to President Obama's address to the Illinois General Assembly where he called for an end to gerrymandering of legislative districts for political purposes: "People all over Illinois – and now the White House – want to end the practice of Illinois politicians picking their voters and drawing partisan maps behind closed doors. By removi

The drive for reforming the drawing of congressional maps has gained a supporter who is hoping to ride a reformist challenge against a long-time incumbent. Independent Maps seeks to get its initiative on the 2016 state ballot to create an independent redistricting commission in Illinois to determine congressional district boundaries. For years, politicians have drawn the lines. In a state such as Illinois, it can even be done without input from the opposition party.State Senator Kyle McCarter,

The standoff in Oregon that began on January 2 appears to have reached its conclusion. On Tuesday, January 26, several occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge were arrested, and one occupier, Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, was killed in a confrontation with law enforcement. The leader of the occupiers, Ammon Bundy, has since called on the occupiers to return home. Only four occupiers remain, and a federal judge has denied the release of several apprehended individuals until the occupation ha

In a set-back for medical marijuana activists, Illinois has declined to expand the conditions that may be treated under a medical marijuana program which may also have repercussions for the viability of the program. Illinois began its pilot program for medical marijuana in 2013 with the signature of then-Gov. Pat Quinn. It was set to be a four-year program beginning in 2014, with more than 30 conditions that may qualify a patient to get a medical marijuana ID photo. The announcement came throu

More than six weeks ahead of the Illinois presidential primary, a number of issues with the presidential candidates' petitions may alter whether residents can vote as they anticipated. Early voting in Illinois, scheduled to begin on February 4, is likely to be delayed because of the validity of several candidates' petitions. The primary is scheduled for March 15. Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio are among the major party candidates whose petitions are

The Illinois 8th congressional district, covering the western portions of Chicago, may become one of the more unique races in 2016. U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth is challenging incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, leaving the 8th district seat open. The district has been represented by two Republicans and two Democrats over the last dozen years. Voters went with Obama in the last two presidential elections, but with no candidate benefiting from incumbency, there could be a surprise winner. One potent

Independent Maps, a nonpartisan coalition seeking redistricting reform in Illinois, applauded President Obama Wednesday for making congressional redistricting reform a priority in his final State of the Union address. The group now urges the president to support independent redistricting in his home state. "The President's words in the State of the Union Address – 'We have to end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters, and not the other way

Trump Calls Virginia Loyalty Oath A “Suicidal Mistake” Source: Fred Lucas, The Blaze My Take: Of interest particularly if you’ve followed this story. The whole thing seems a bit blown out of proportion as I don’t see this being an oath, as has been charged, but an affirmation of party affiliation. An informative list of how other states do pretty much the same thing -- though differently. 5 Years Later, The Atlantic Reviews California Top-Two Primary Source: Christopher Caen, The Atlantic

The spirit of America is strong; the state of our union is fragile. That is my conclusion after 100 days driving 14,128 miles through 34 states as an independent candidate for President of the United States. I met with over 1,000 people individually and in small groups. I mostly stayed away from big cities and college campuses. I had learned on two short campaign trips before this long one that very few Americans understand there are independent candidates running for office so I got in the ha