John Cullerton

New Session Of Ill. General Assembly Begins

Illinois Public Radio — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:58:06 +0000

Reporting from Amanda Vinicky from Illinois Public Radio.

A new session of the Illinois General Assembly begins today, when candidates who won in November's elections take the oath of office. The outgoing class of legislators left the incoming one with quite a burden.

Tuesday night, the previous General Assembly adjourned without doing anything to reduce Illinois' $97 billion pension debt, though there were a few last minute tries.

Ill. Pension Negotiations Continue

Illinois Public Radio — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:23:10 +0000

Negotiations for a complete overhaul of Illinois' underfunded pension systems continue. But the president of the state Senate is again pushing a measure his chamber approved months ago.

Governor Pat Quinn has been adamant that something pass before the General Assembly's current session ends for good on Wednesday.

In May, the Senate passed legislation that reduces state workers' and legislators' own retirement benefits. But the House never took it up. Senate President John Cullerton says representatives should do so when they return to Springfield on Sunday.

Morning headlines: Friday, June 17, 2011

Julie Bierach and The Associated Press — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:23:57 +0000

SSM Health Care will not Hire Smokers Starting in July

A St. Louis-based health care organization says it wants to improve the health of its employees and set an example, so smokers need not apply.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that SSM Health Care will begin a tobacco-free hiring policy in July.

Ill. GOP lawmakers continue push for rollback of new tax increase

Illinois Public Radio and Kelsey Proud — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:33:11 +0000

Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Luke Runyon used in this report.

Illinois State Republican lawmakers continue to push for a rollback of the recently passed income tax increase, but still haven't given their list of cuts to make up the difference. Senate Democrats are calling their bluff.