/tags/jay-hoffman Jay Hoffman en-US Copyright © 2024 ÍâÍøÌìÌà Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-12-02/illinois-elections-st-clair-county-republican-shift Madison County in the Metro East began flipping red in the 2010 election, and the GOP’s support has only gotten stronger. But local Democrats don’t see neighboring St. Clair County flipping anytime soon. Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-12-02/illinois-elections-st-clair-county-republican-shift Will Bauer /government-politics-issues/2024-10-14/illinois-voters-consider-questions-reproductive-health-tax-reform-election-interference The results are nonbinding, but lawmakers may consider them when proposing policy. Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-10-14/illinois-voters-consider-questions-reproductive-health-tax-reform-election-interference Andrew Adams /government-politics-issues/2024-05-29/metro-east-state-lawmakers-remain-split-along-party-lines-on-illinois-session Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will sign the budget, which passed the House early on Wednesday morning. Wed, 29 May 2024 21:45:55 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-05-29/metro-east-state-lawmakers-remain-split-along-party-lines-on-illinois-session Will Bauer /government-politics-issues/2024-05-03/illinois-voters-could-decide-ivf-coverage-millionaire-tax-november A question about whether abortion protections should be codified will not make it onto this year’s general election ballot. Fri, 03 May 2024 10:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-05-03/illinois-voters-could-decide-ivf-coverage-millionaire-tax-november Alex Degman /government-politics-issues/2024-02-21/illinois-gov-jb-pritzker-outlines-budget-priorities-in-annual-address Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposed investments would support the creation of a child tax credit, overhaul of the state's pension system, and fund programs for asylum-seekers arriving in Chicago. Wed, 21 Feb 2024 19:01:46 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-02-21/illinois-gov-jb-pritzker-outlines-budget-priorities-in-annual-address Tina Sfondeles, Mitchell Armentrout, Will Bauer /education/2024-02-18/venice-breaks-ground-on-new-elementary-school-as-part-of-larger-revitalization-plan For the past two and a half years, the 90-some students of Venice Elementary have been going to a makeshift school in Granite City after their school was condemned. Sun, 18 Feb 2024 16:15:26 GMT /education/2024-02-18/venice-breaks-ground-on-new-elementary-school-as-part-of-larger-revitalization-plan Kelly Smits /government-politics-issues/2023-08-21/new-program-to-address-unintended-consequences-of-illinois-disabled-veteran-exemption Illinois quit collecting property taxes from disabled veterans in 2015, but that has cost Metro East school districts and other taxing bodies near Scott Air Force Base hundreds of thousands — or sometimes millions of dollars. Mon, 21 Aug 2023 10:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-08-21/new-program-to-address-unintended-consequences-of-illinois-disabled-veteran-exemption Will Bauer /sports/2023-08-08/photos-missouri-lawmakers-find-uniting-bipartisan-cause-beating-illinois-in-softball Missouri and Illinois' lawmakers crossed the political aisle in hopes of securing the 2023 Bi-State Softball Showdown crown, but Missouri reigned victorious once more in a 10-2 blowout. Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:00:44 GMT /sports/2023-08-08/photos-missouri-lawmakers-find-uniting-bipartisan-cause-beating-illinois-in-softball Brian Munoz, Tristen Rouse /government-politics-issues/2023-06-02/split-by-party-lines-metro-east-state-lawmakers-praise-or-pan-legislative-session The Illinois Legislature wrapped its 2023 spring session last week. Metro East Republicans say the state's budget promoted poor priorities, while local Democrats praised the session as highly successful. Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:36:24 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-06-02/split-by-party-lines-metro-east-state-lawmakers-praise-or-pan-legislative-session Will Bauer /government-politics-issues/2023-05-31/illinois-lawmaker-criticizes-state-as-washington-park-awaits-promised-grant The funds are to help the Metro East village after a large fire burned down a significant portion of a Washington Park municipal building in October 2021. Wed, 31 May 2023 15:14:12 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-05-31/illinois-lawmaker-criticizes-state-as-washington-park-awaits-promised-grant Mike Koziatek