McHenry Times

McConchie: 'Pritzker needs to honor his promise and veto this map'

By Savannah Howe | Jun 3, 2021

Republican frustration continues now that Democrats have passed a draft of the new legislative districts, a task which must be done every 10 years following the release of U.S. Census data.

DeWitte: Springfield ignoring important issues, instead focusing on 'egregious' legislation

By Savannah Howe | May 31, 2021

With another legislative session drawing to a close, state Sen. Don DeWitte provided updates on legislation currently moving through Springfield, and how he feels that the Democratic majority's priority compass may be broken.

DeWitte calls on Pritzker to be an 'honest broker' for Illinoisans

By Savannah Howe | May 31, 2021

Illinois Republicans are frustrated that the Democratic majority's budget proposal claims a $1.3 billion shortage in the state's revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.

McConchie urges Democrats to support ethics reform: Corruption in Illinois is 'unAmerican, unfair and fundamentally wrong'

By Savannah Howe | May 26, 2021

The Illinois legislature is no stranger to ethics issues.

Ugaste challenges colleagues to focus on property tax reform: Illinoisans 'desperately need relief'

By Savannah Howe | May 22, 2021

In the dusk of the legislative session, state Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-St. Charles) wants his colleagues to remember how current property tax rates are breaking the backs of Illinoisans.

McConchie disappointed in lack of Democratic cooperation in first in-person leadership meeting of the year

By Savannah Howe | May 21, 2021

A leaders' meeting was held in April between Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich), Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Democratic ranking lawmakers.

Reick condemns use of ACS data for redistricting: ACS 'never meant to determine how many voters lived in a particular district'

By Savannah Howe | May 4, 2021

The deadline is approaching for new legislative districts to be finalized for Illinois. The process happens once a decade, is normally done by the majority party and typically uses fresh U.S. Census data.

McConchie reacts to Pritzker's failure to keep redistricting promise: 'He is the one who simply is not engaging'

By Savannah Howe | May 4, 2021

After multiple campaign and in-office promises, Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided to go back on his vow to stand up against politics-driven legislative maps.

McConchie on standing up to majority Democrats as Minority Speaker: 'I love a challenge'

By Savannah Howe | Apr 30, 2021

When asked why State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) would want to be the Senate Minority Leader of the GOP when state Democrats continue to hold the majority in an iron grip, McConchie said that he "loves a challenge."

DeWitte remembers the life of AJ Freund, a child taken too soon: 'Blue was his favorite color'

By Savannah Howe | Apr 20, 2021

The home where the life of 5-year-old Andrew "AJ" Freund Jr. was taken is gone, demolished last year. His parents, who pled guilty to beating the young boy to death, are behind bars, where they will remain for decades to come.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois voters shoot down Fair Tax proposal

By Savannah Howe | 3 years ago

Illinois voters rejected a progressive income tax amendment that was criticized for having potentially devastating impacts on the state's taxpayers by removing the flat tax rate, skyrocket small business taxes by 47% and allow the possibility of taxing retirees.