Metro East Sun

Meier, Elik no-shows on letter supporting Illinois' Invest in Kids scholarship program defunded by Democrats

By W.J. Kennedy | May 30, 2023

Illinois state Rep. Charlie Meier’s (R-Okawville) office said the legislator supports the popular Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program.

Madison County state’s attorney vows appeal of judicial subcircuits law

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 25, 2022

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine says his office will consider all “appeal options” after a Sangamon County Circuit judge earlier this week dismissed his lawsuit against what he views as a hastily approved measure by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly that creates judicial subcircuits in politically targeted counties including Madison.

From Prairie State Wire

Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady said to have voiced private support for abortion funding, gun control legislation

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

Former high-level aides to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has revealed that Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) told the then governor he was right for signing HB 40 in September 2017, the law requiring Medicaid funding of abortions. At a separate meeting, Brady also recommended that the governor sign gun control bills should they reach his desk.

Fairview Heights Planned Parenthood looking to profit off Missouri abortion market, pro-life leaders say

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 11, 2019

Hundreds of pro-lifers protested in Fairview Heights Wednesday against a new 18,000-square-foot Planned Parenthood (PP) clinic they say is capitalizing on anticipated growth in abortion business from Missouri.

From Prairie State Wire

Pritzker’s claims of paying down pension debt “simply dishonest,” fiscal watchdog says

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

The recently approved state budget hardly makes Illinois the beacon of fiscal prudence that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders claim it is, budgetary analysts at Wirepoints say.

From Prairie State Wire

Madigan 'bullying' income tax increase through legislative process

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

House Speaker Michael Madigan used his absolute power over the legislative process to move legislation to the floor on Friday that exchanges Illinois’ constitutionally mandated flat income tax with a progressive tax.

54th Senate District candidate Stout uses gay slur in feud with Vandalia resident

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 27, 2018

Brian Stout, Democratic candidate for the state Senate in the 54th District, posted a gay slur on Facebook's messaging platform during a drawn-out altercation with a Vandalia resident.

Greenville coach, 54th Senate District candidate won’t 'jump ship' on former mentor Pitino

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 22, 2017

George Barber, Greenville University head basketball coach and 54th state Senate District candidate in the Republican primary, got his big break as a coach winning the 1996 NCAA national basketball championship.

Nashville superintendent doesn't see way out of hot water over 'creepy' column

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 2, 2017

A Southern Illinois superintendent hasn't decided whether to resign after public and teachers union backlash to a column he wrote in which he went into lurid detail about a girl he had a crush on when he was 15.

Alton school chief rejected funding change despite increase for district

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 28, 2017

Mark Cappel, the superintendent of the Alton School District, recently asked lawmakers not to accept the state's school funding formula pushed by Gov. Bruce Rauner even though it would provide his district with almost $2 million more than the original bill.