Search query: Illinois

(Credit: Chicago Tribune) As the legislative session in Illinois nears its conclusion on May 31, several issues, including gay marriage, remain unresolved in the state. Now, Governor Pat Quinn is directly calling on the Legislature to solve the issue. A same-sex marriage bill passed the Illinois Senate in February and went to the House. Although Democrats hold a majority in the House as well, the bill has stalled. Supporters believe that they do not yet have the votes needed for passage. "We'

Illinois Concealed Carry Debate Continues by Carl Wicklander Approximately one month separates Illinois from its deadline to enact some form of concealed carry legislation and the passions on both sides are heating up. We Should Stop Subsidizing Political Parties by Chad Peace Nowhere in our political system is power more institutionalized than in the pocket books of the political players. But a little discussed, and even lesser questioned reality is that the source from which the parties dra

(Credit: Chicago Tribune) Approximately one month separates residents from the deadline that makes Illinois concealed carry a reality. Failure to meet this deadline and enact some form of concealed carry legislation will leave no restrictions in place as the passions on both sides are heating up. Last December, when Illinois' ban on concealed weapons was ruled unconstitutional by a US Circuit Court of Appeals, many eyes looked to Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a long-time advocate of gun contr

A scandal broke out shortly after Senator Barack Obama was elected President in 2008.  It involved the then-governor of his home state and the Senate seat that the President-Elect was vacating.  Then-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was caught trying to sell Obama's vacated Senate seat.  He even tried to enlist the assistance of the incoming administration, which evidence pointed out that it quickly declined to do.  Blagojevich wanted something for that seat.  However, he was caught by the FBI,

Friday, Michigan's Internet Privacy Protection Act was signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder, aimed to increase protections for employees and students in the social media realm. The Internet Privacy Protection Act, or House Bill 5523, "prohibit employers and educational institutions from requiring certain individuals to grant access to, allow observation of, or disclose information that allows access to or observation of personal Internet accounts." In a time where cooperation is lacking from

Privacy rights on social networking sites remain contentious for platforms and their users, and have become increasingly pertinent for employers to address. Starting January 1, it will be illegal for an employer to request access to an employee or job applicant's social media user names and passwords in the state of California. Signed earlier this year, Assembly Bill 1844 reads: "This bill would prohibit an employer from requiring or requesting an employee or applicant for employment to disclos

Credit: www.ed.gov Illinois, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, and Wisconsin will get a share of the 2012 Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge, a $133 million grant fund to enhance superiority and expand access to education programs throughout those states. The five finalists join the nine existing state grantees who secured first-round funding last year. Arne Duncan, the US Secretary of Education, said that every child is worthy of the lasting benefits of a high-class learning program: "Than

(Credit: Chicago Tribune) In one of the more contentious issues in the United States today, a federal court struck down the Illinois concealed carry ban, the last state without some form of a concealed carry permit. The state legislature now has 180 days to write a law of its own. Concealed carry, an important issue among gun-rights advocates, would allow gun owners to carry their weapons, often a handgun, in a holster on or near his or her body. A concealed carry permit is usually accompanied

Credit: Minipress For many, corruption and Illinois go hand in hand. From the convictions of ex-Governors Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan to the more recent charges against ex-congressman Jesse Jackson Jr, Illinois has become the poster child for “back-door politics.” It is because of such transgressions – and the frequency with which they have occurred – that Chicago was voted the most corrupt city in the nation earlier this year. Not only has corruption tainted the city’s image, but it has

Credit: Chicago Tribune Former Democratic congressman Mel Reynolds from Illinois' second district is making another go at winning a seat in the US House of Representatives. He is looking to replace Democrat Jesse Jackson Jr, who resigned on November 21, 2012. Reynolds will run for the same seat he occupied from January 3, 1993, to October 1, 1995. This time, however, he is running after being convicted of statutory rape of a 16-year-old campaign volunteer and receiving a commutation by former