One of the top issues facing legislators this fall was what to do about the SAFE-T Act, the controversial criminal justice overhaul which passed last year over the objections of most in law enforcement. The goes into effect on January 1, but public outcry over such issues as the elimination of cash bail caused its proponents to make some changes […]
State
Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: Thank you
By TOM BENNETT Sunday night I was involved in a car accident on my way home from an event in Iroquois County. I spent some time in the hospital before coming home earlier this week. I am happy to be able to report to you that I am on the mend and am looking forward to getting back to work […]
Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: Democrats continue their hold on Springfield
While some of Tuesday’s races remain too close to call, enough results have come in to confirm that Democrats will retain their control of state government. Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton were re-elected, as were Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Treasurer Mike Frerichs and Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Our new Secretary of State will be Alexi Giannoulias. Democrats also […]
Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: Illinois state report card shows poor results from lockdowns
By TOM BENNETT Every year the Illinois State Board of Education releases the state’s report card, an annual report on how well our schools are doing. The report includes information on several topics from graduation rates and class sizes to the results of standardized tests taken by students. This year’s report card revealed some disturbing results about the learning loss that occurred […]
Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: Illinois unemployment now a full percentage point worse than national average
As the national economy has struggled to recover from the pandemic shutdowns, Illinois has struggled more than the nation as a whole. Other states, including some of our neighbors with better jobs-creation climates, have added jobs at faster rates than Illinois has, and we have continued to lag behind the national recovery as well. According to the recently-released September preliminary jobs […]
Consolidation of SAFE-T Act lawsuits requested
By WILL BRUMLEVE [email protected] KANKAKEE — A lawsuit filed by Ford County’s sheriff and state’s attorney challenging the constitutionality of Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act could be consolidated with the dozens of others filed by state’s attorneys across the state. In an email Friday to the Ford County Chronicle, Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian confirmed that he and the other […]
Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: Additional charges filed against former House Speaker Michael Madigan
Back in March, former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was indicted on several federal corruption charges related to a bribery scheme involving the utility giant Commonwealth Edison. A few days ago, more charges were filed against Madigan, this time in connection to a probe involving AT&T. AT&T entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office. The phone […]
Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: First USDA crop report of 2022 gives Illinois good news
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued its first crop report for the fall 2022 harvest season, and it shows conditions in Illinois to be good overall. The report was compiled statewide, but concentrates mostly on fields which grow corn and soybeans, Illinois’ top two agricultural products. In all, 69% of Illinois’ corn and soybean fields were rated to be in good-to-excellent […]
No single source for farm injury, fatality data
By TIMOTHY EGGERT FarmWeek Calculating the number of severe injuries and fatalities surrounding agriculture in Illinois is largely yeoman’s work because there is no single government agency report or public database that tracks and compiles the incidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through its Fatality Analysis Reporting Systems releases annual data on deaths that occur on roadways, and the […]
CAPITOL RECAP: Another Democratic senator charged in bribery scheme
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Emil Jones III has been charged in federal court with three criminal counts tied to his dealings with a red light camera company. Jones, a Chicago Democrat, is the son of former Senate President Emil Jones Jr. The younger Jones has served in the Senate since 2009 following his father’s retirement. He […]
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