Illinois Public Radio

Ill. Same-Sex Marriage Sponsor Facing Backlash

Illinois Public Radio — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:48:25 +0000

The sponsor of same-sex marriage legislation is facing a backlash for not calling it for a vote before the Illinois General Assembly adjourned on Friday.

Gay rights activists praised Rep. Greg Harris in 2011 for helping pass civil unions. Some of those same activists are now criticizing him.

Rutherford Announces Candidacy For Ill. Gov. Race

Illinois Public Radio — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:18:16 +0000

Most of those running for governor in 2014 have already expressed their interest in the job. Only a few have made it official. Congressman Aaron Schock is not running for governor. State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is.

Concealed Carry Legislation Now In Hands Of Ill. Gov. Quinn

Illinois Public Radio — Fri, 31 May 2013 21:38:16 +0000

Will be updated. Reporting from Chris Slaby.

Both the Illinois House and Senate have approved legislation allowing people to carry guns in public. Illinois, under threat of a court order, is poised to be the last state with such a law.

The fate of concealed carry in Illinois now rests with Governor Pat Quinn.

Durbin: Veteran Disability Claims Procedures 'Got To Change'

Illinois Public Radio — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:48:57 +0000

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois says the way American veterans receive disability claims has "got to change."

His comments come as the federal Department of Veterans Affairs is working on a new digital, paper-less way of handling the claims. The V.A is working to get that done by September.

Durbin says on average, Illinois veterans wait close to a year for payments - which he says is the third-worst rate in the country.

Fracking Regulation Measure Advances To Full Ill. House

Illinois Public Radio — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:36:23 +0000

Reporting from Chris Slaby.

A measure that would regulate hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” heads to the full Illinois House after Representatives approved it at a hearing Tuesday.

The plan, which passed unanimously, comes two months after a previous version appeared to have enough momentum to go before the House. It stalled over environmentalists’ raised concern there was not enough protection to keep water wells from becoming contaminated.

Unions were also divided over a labor dispute.