“It’s opening up three different conversations, a broad message that this is something serious that we need to address…because corruption and the appearance of corruption is very corrosive to the legitimacy of the political process,” said political science professor Kent Redfield.

“It’s devastating news for our community,” Rep. Dan Caulkins said. The pharmaceuticals company will terminate all benefits from employees at the end of the month; It will be unable to pay severance or provide COBRA health insurance coverage to former employees.

The Illinois State Board of Education says the Wirepoints report is misleading, with data cherry-picked from the state’s poorest districts. But State Rep. Dan Caulkins said it’s right there in black and white. “Are we succeeding? Are we educating children in this state? Are our kids – the bright kids – staying here working?”

State Rep. Brad Holbrook said years of increased taxpayer spending on education hasn’t shown results. “We’ve been putting money into these programs for a long time, and there is little evidence to suggest that these programs are accomplishing anything in terms of reading or math proficiencies.”

“In the face of this unprecedented assault by states hostile to abortion rights and their enablers in the courts, we are pledging to work together to strengthen abortion firewalls across America. This fight isn’t over,” the joint statement reads.

In the four separate federal cases against Illinois’ gun ban, a status hearing is set for Friday in the southern district to consider possible consolidation and coordinated response schedules for the state’s reply to motions for injunctive relief. Those cases all challenge the state’s ban, but use different arguments in their filings.

A bill that would allow restaurants, hotels and other public places to designate “all-gender multiple-occupancy” restrooms passed out of a House committee Wednesday, sending it to the full House for consideration. House Bill 1286, sponsored by Rep. Katie Stuart, is similar to one that passed through the House in 2021 but died in the Senate.

Under legislation filed by state Sen. Rob Martwick, a Northwest Side Democrat, tax rates on low-income single filers would be cut to as low as 4%, well under the state’s current 4.95% flat rate and the 4.75% rate the governor proposed. The tax rate wouldn’t even hit the 4.75% mark until a person’s annual income tops $100,000. At the opposite end, rates would max out at 6.95% on annual income above $500,000 for individuals and $1 million for couples

Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas claimed the restaurant industry has a long history of racism and gender inequity. The bill would create a “Blue Star Program” for restaurants certifying they do not take a tip credit, have participated in equity training, and have not violated the Illinois wage-and-hour law in the prior three years.

The Illinois Lottery recently announced sales of $1.8 billion and estimated returns to the State of Illinois of $468 million, for the first six months of the 2023 fiscal year. About two-thirds of the adult population of Illinois report they now play the lottery.

“As we work to transition to a cleaner energy economy, we need to make sure that we still have the energy needed to make sure the light switches turn on and that grandma can stay in her home with power in the winter,” state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer said. “In the summer, she needs to stay cool in that home and not have to leave because the overwhelming price of energy.”

Sponsors of the legislation said it would ensure patient dollars are directed to dental care by requiring dental insurance carriers to spend at least 80% of premium dollars on patient care rather than administrative costs and salaries.

“Many of the things we have invested in over the last couple of years have been to the benefit of our police departments across Illinois,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “We are going to continue to do what is right for law enforcement.”