Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Reporter

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Local Government News

From SE Illinois News

Windhorst questions executive inspector generals on ghost payrolling

By Kyla Asbury | 7 days ago

Illinois House Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) questioned several executive inspector generals regarding ghost payrolling during last week's Senate House Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform hearing.

Local Government

Illinois' home appreciation is slowest in U.S., federal housing agency reports

Downstate Illinois conservative activist Chris Grissom says the state’s plummeting housing market is caught in a vicious cycle.

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 12, 2020

Latest News

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Local Government

Jackson County GOP chair Grissom suggests 'changing the way we spend,' not the constitution

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 8, 2020

Jackson County Republican Party Chairman Chris Grissom believes Springfield could use a new approach to the tax-and-spend methods favored by the Democratic majority.

From SW Illinois News

Sen. Schimpf disappointed that Pritzker's State of the State address only told 'half the story'

By Kyla Asbury | 17 days ago

Illinois state Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Murphysboro) was disappointed that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not discuss the most important challenges the state faces during his State of the State address last Wednesday.

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Local Government

Reports: Madigan's hidden earmark lands big windfall for 13th Ward

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 25, 2020

Crain’s Chicago Business reports that House Speaker Mike Madigan’s (D-Chicago) 13th Ward is poised to receive a $10 million facelift, courtesy of a secret stash hidden inside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion capital spending program.

From Southern Illinois News

'Bungled' task force process will not stop Rep. Windhorst from fighting for property tax reform

By Glenn Minnis | 1 month ago

Despite the wasted efforts of a governor-appointed task force created to address the state's runaway property taxes, Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) remains determined to find a solution.

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Local Government

Jackson among 93 Illinois counties with declining populations

By Local Labs News Service | Jan 11, 2020

Jackson saw its population decrease by 2,957, or 4.9 percent, over the last decade, according to a new analysis from Wirepoints.org that is based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

From Southern Illinois News

Rep. Windhorst stands up for legal gun owners in wake of massive misappropriation of funds

By Glenn Minnis | 1 month ago

Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) is among a growing list of legal gun-ownership supporters demanding fairer treatment in Illinois after reports that millions in funds went missing from a program meant for the state police to help facilitate gun registrations.

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Local Government

1 Carbondale location licensed to dispense recreational marijuana

By Local Labs News Service | Jan 2, 2020

Forty-six dispensaries throughout Illinois can sell recreational marijuana to adults as of Wednesday, including one in Carbondale, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

From Southern Illinois News

Rep. Windhorst ready for action as ethics and lobbying reform task force convenes Monday in Chicago

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

The first meeting of the newly created Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform is scheduled for Monday at the Bilandic Building in Chicago, and Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) can hardly wait to get to work.

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Local Government

More than 250 new Illinois laws take effect New Year’s Day

By Glenn Minnis | Dec 13, 2019

Downstate Illinois conservative activist Chris Grissom thinks about the more than 250 new laws that are slated to officially kick in at the start of the New Year and figures something has got to give.

From Southern Illinois News

Rep. Windhorst urges municipalities to consider parks and recreation grants

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) is reminding local government units that a Parks and Recreation Family Construction Grants (PARC) deadline is fast approaching.

From Southern Illinois News

Rep. Windhorst urges constituents to support local business

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

As a member of the House’s Economic Opportunity & Equity committee, Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) is always thinking of ways to improve the landscape for small business owners.

From DuPage Policy Journal

Congressional candidate Ives vows to assert her contempt for political corruption at the national level

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

Illinois congressional candidate Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is vowing to continue to be a thorn in the side of longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

From Southern Illinois News

Rep. Windhorst appointed to new ethics-reform commission

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

Freshman Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) has been appointed to the newly created Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform.

From Southern Illinois News

Democrats' version of ethics reform legislation 'not going to cut it,' says Rep. Windhorst

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) knows first-hand what could have been when it comes to ethics reform legislation in Springfield.

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Local Government

Rep. Severin charges Democrats with 'playing footsie' on ethics reform while GOP is 'sounding the alarm'

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 15, 2019

Illinois state Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) wants to see more dedication across the board to the fight against political corruption in Springfield.

From Southern Illinois News

Southern Illinois GOP lawmakers introduce three new bills aimed at ethics reform in state government

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) has joined forces with fellow Southern Illinois Republicans Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and Dave Severin (R-Benton) in sponsoring several bills aimed at bringing ethics reform legislation to Springfield.

From Southern Illinois News

Rep. Windhorst speaks out in support of bill that would allow student-athletes to be compensated

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) has a simple philosophy when it comes to the issue of whether or not National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes should be allowed to profit from the use of their image or likeness.

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Local Government

Former Jackson County GOP chair criticizes Pritzker's inability to hold Madigan accountable

By Glenn Minnis | Nov 7, 2019

Former Jackson County Republican chairman and GOP activist Chris Grissom struggles to understand why Gov. J.B. Pritzker still seems to be standing by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).