Tag: Illinois Senate

Sen. Paul Faraci discusses first month in office, Pritzker’s speech and more

URBANA — Paul Faraci has completed his first month as a state senator.  The Champaign Democrat was appointed by party leadership in Champaign and Vermilion counties to replace his friend Scott Bennett, who died suddenly in December at the age of 45.  Faraci says he’s enjoyed his new job despite the circumstances leading to his

‘Timing is right’: Barickman leaving Illinois Senate in January

BLOOMINGTON — Less than a month after winning an uncontested new term in office, State Sen. Jason Barickman said Monday he’ll resign instead of taking office again next year. The Bloomington Republican said it was not an abrupt decision. “Your kids develop so quickly. One year is quite different than another. I have really struggled

Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings set to lose important committee chairmanship

SPRINGFIELD — Embattled Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort, is set to lose his powerful legislative committee chairmanship in the new session of the General Assembly next year, Senate President Don Harmon told WBEZ. Harmon’s move comes after Hastings was accused of physical abuse by his ex-wife, according to police and divorce-court records. Hastings has

Curran eyes ‘balance’ as he prepares to lead Illinois Senate’s GOP minority

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Minority Leader-elect John Curran will take over a caucus that’s more than doubled in size by the majority-party Democrats. His goal: “Bring balance to state government.” “Because we’re going to produce better results with that balance for working families throughout all Illinois communities,” Curran said in an interview with Capitol News Illinois

U Of I Needs FDA Authorization To Expand Access To COVID-19 Testing In Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign still does not have emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its saliva COVID-19 test — and that’s causing delays in expanding it to the rest of the state’s public universities and K-12 schools. University officials discussed the matter at a hearing hosted

Republican Ruggieri Launches State Senate Campaign Against Bennett

A Republican challenger to State Senator Scott Bennett kicked off his campaign Thursday. Savoy Village Trustee Alexander “A.J.” Ruggieri accuses his opponent of following Democratic leaders in Chicago, instead of voters in the 52nd District. “What we have now is a senator who follows strict marching orders from the Chicago Democrat machine,” said the 43-year-old

Illinois State Senate

In First For Pritzker, General Assembly Overrides Veto

Illinois Senators overwhelmingly override Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s veto of a sales tax exemption Wednesday, a day after member of the House did the same. It’s the first time that’s happened during Pritzker’s time in office. The 54-to-1 Senate vote reinstates a tax break for private jet maintenance companies. They’ll be able to buy aircraft parts

Rotunda of Illinois State Capitol

Senators Meeting Sunday To Elect New President

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate will gather in the Capitol Sunday to choose a new president. This is arguably the most important election in Illinois this year, at least in terms of state government and politics. The Senate president has great power over whether legislation is considered — or killed. Because Democrats have