| Chambana Sun

Madigan Machine includes big-money players Kennedy, Pritzker

By Chambana Sun | Dec 23, 2016

Emerging as big-money players in the perpetual Mike Madigan Machine are businessman Chris Kennedy, son of the late U.S. attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, and attorney, entrepreneur and philanthropist J.B. Pritzker, according to recently released financial data.

State GOP robocall emphasizes Pritzker ties to Madigan, Blagojevich

By Chambana Sun | Dec 23, 2016

The Illinois Republican Party launched a robocall linking venture capitalist and possible gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Pro-growth reforms called for to stem exodus of millennials

By Chambana Sun | Dec 23, 2016

Citing worrisome data that indicates millennials are fleeing the state and taking their families with them, a Chicago-based think tank is urging state lawmakers to pass pro-growth reforms.

Homer Board of Trustees approves payment of village bills

By Philip Gonzales | Dec 22, 2016

Homer Board of Trustees approves payment of village bills at its recent meeting.

Urbana Zoning Board of Appeals forwards townhouse plan to city council

By Jenie Mallari-Torres | Dec 22, 2016

Urbana Zoning Board of Appeals forwards townhouse plan to city council after a discussion at its recent meeting.

Mahomet Board of Trustees discusses expense policy ordinance for village employees

By Philip Gonzales | Dec 21, 2016

Mahomet Board of Trustees discusses expense policy ordinance for village employees during its recent meeting.

Bement CUSD No. 5 Board hears first reading of new school board policy amendments

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 21, 2016

Bement CUSD No. 5 Board hears first reading of new school board policy amendments during a recent meeting.

Munger blasts Dem lawmakers' 'cowardly' paycheck lawsuit as she leaves office

By Chambana Sun | Dec 21, 2016

Outgoing Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger blasted Democratic lawmakers on her final day in office.

Advocacy group: Income-related student-success gap in state persists

By Chambana Sun | Dec 21, 2016

Chicago-based independent education advocate Advance Illinois, which compiles data for its annual “The State We’re In” report, recently released its newest findings on the state’s education statistics, illuminating an achievement gap in need of rebalancing.

Columnist: Let Illinois voters decide on term limits

By Chambana Sun | Dec 21, 2016

Following an election year rife with accusations aimed at the “Madigan Machine” and other factions in Springfield, Chicago Sun-Times writer Mark Brown said recently that the time for term limits may have arrived in Illinois.

Newly launched website aims to expose Madigan's sphere of influence

By Chambana Sun | Dec 21, 2016

The Illinois Republican Party launched a website on the same day House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) again skipped a meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders in Springfield.

General Assembly adjourns veto session without budget; stopgap expires Dec. 31

By Chambana Sun | Dec 21, 2016

As the clock ticks down toward the new year, budget talks remain at an impasse in Illinois and the stopgap budget will expire on Dec. 31.

Mahomet Public Library District Board of Trustees fills vacant trustee position

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 20, 2016

Mahomet Public Library District Board of Trustees fills vacant trustee position at a recent meeting.

Bement Community Unified School District No. 5 Board discusses plans of put a cell tower on Coles Pasture

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 20, 2016

Bement Community Unified School District No. 5 Board discusses plans of put a cell tower on Coles Pasture during its recent meeting.

Urbana City Council to review and take action on tax levy ordinance

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 19, 2016

Urbana City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19.

Madigan nears milestone, faces opposition as he runs for 17th speaker term

By Chambana Sun | Dec 19, 2016

After a year of many changes, something may wind up remaining as it has been for decades in the General Assembly.

State GOP slams Scherer's distant, nameless endorsement of Madigan

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 18, 2016

For state Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), name-calling is literally off the record — to the extent that she recently managed to carefully craft a commitment to cast her vote for House Speaker Mike Madigan without actually stating so overtly.