Prisoner Review Board

Senate rejects former corrections officer-nominee to PRB; Confirmation vote comes three years into Pritzker term

Madison – St. Clair Record

Steve Korris

03/23/2022

“Pritzker withdrew Cerda after Sen. Steve McClure (R- Jacksonville) questioned the appointment at a hearing on the board’s appropriation.”

 

“Pritzker sent the letter to Murphy five days after she received a letter from Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville).”

 

“Sen. Terri Bryant (R- Murphysboro) asked Mears if he would parole a person who killed their children.”

 

Senators recommend 4 nominees to the Prisoner Review Board, but full Senate votes down 1 nominee as Republicans drill down on parole votes

The Daily Line

Ben Szalinski

03/23/2022

‘“I think you take this seriously and that’s good because you’re making very important decisions, as are other members of the PRB,” Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) said. “My concern is people get confirmed and they can vote their conscience and do their job. But by dangling these positions out there and not allowing people to be confirmed to the position seems to allow an extra layer of influence form the governor’s office.”’

 

“The full Senate voted against confirming Mears Tuesday afternoon after Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) raised concerns about votes Mears has previously taken to release people convicted of violent crimes. Many Democrats did not vote on the nomination.” 

 

‘“I’m looking at serval of these horrific cases that you choose to parole people for,” Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) said. “Your explanation for what you’re using to judge these folks and what you’re actually [voting on] directly contradicts each other.”’

 

Republicans fault Pritzker for not securing prisoner review board appointees

The Center Square

Greg Bishop

03/23/2022

“State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, serves on the Executive Appointments Committee and said Republicans are not spreading fake news. They’re highlighting high leniency rates of the nominees serving on the board leading to convicted criminals being let free.”

 

IL Senate Rejects Pritzker Nominee to Prison Review Board

WLDS/WEAI

Benjamin Cox

03/25/2022

“Republican State Senator Terri Bryant also voiced concern over Mears’ vote to grant parole for Paula Sims, convicted in 1990 for killing her two daughters in Alton. Sims had been serving a life sentence for the crime. The board voted 12-1 to allow Sims’ release.”

 

Republicans tout ‘moral victory’ in blocking Pritzker Prisoner Review Board nomination

WCIA

Mark Maxwell

03/27/2022

“State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield), a former prosecutor, joined Capitol Connection to react to Senate Democrats blocking one of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s nominees to the Prisoner Review Board.”

 

Illinois Prisoner Review Board members with high leniency rates not recommended for re-appointment

The Center Square

Greg Bishop

03/22/2022

“State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, took PRB member Oreal James to task for his votes to grant leniency nearly 45% of the time since he’s been on the board.”

 

Senate rejects Prisoner Review Board appointee

Capitol News Illinois

BETH HUNDSDORFER

03/25/2022

“Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, pointed to the Sims case one of the more hot-button decisions.”

 

Are prisoner board appointments too hot to handle?

Jim Dey

03/22/2022

“Republican state Sen. Jason Plummer asked Senate appointments committee chairwoman Laura Murphy why the appointments were withdrawn. Murphy’s response did not constitute an answer.”

 

Republicans fault Pritzker for not securing prisoner review board appointees

The Center Square

Greg Bishop

03/23/2022

“State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, serves on the Executive Appointments Committee and said Republicans are not spreading fake news. They’re highlighting high leniency rates of the nominees serving on the board leading to convicted criminals being let free.”

 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker vows to sign plan to use $2.7 billion in federal relief to reduce unemployment fund debt

Chicago Tribune

Dan Petrella

03/23/2022

‘“I think it’s incredibly disingenuous this afternoon and after last night’s action in the House for Democrats to be painting today’s action as a win or a success for fiscal responsibility,” said Sen. Donald DeWitte, a St. Charles Republican. “Employers who have been treated with absolute disregard throughout this pandemic will literally be left holding the bag and will be responsible for filling the remaining deficit in the unemployment insurance trust fund.”’

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-23-22

WJPF Radio (Herrin) (11 other sources)

Issue: PRB appointee

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-27-22

WIND Radio (Chicago) (multiple newscasts)

Issue: PRB appointees

 

Sen. Steve McClure

3-23-22

WIND Radio (Chicago)

Issue: PRB appointee

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-25-22

WLDS/WEAI Radio (Jacksonville)

Issue: PRB appointees

 

Sen. Steve McClure

3-27-22

WCIA-TV (Champaign) (5 other sources)

Issue: PRB appointees

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-26-22

HomeTownRegister (regional newspaper group in central and southern Illinois) (14 other sources)

Issue: PRB appointees

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-24-22

Chronicle Media (Cook County)

Issue: PRB appointments

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-24-22

Chronicle Media (Cook County)

Issue: PRB appointments

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-23-22

Illinois Business Journal (3 other sources)

Issue: PRB appointee

 

Sen. Steve McClure

3-23-22

Pure Oldies 107.5 (Springfield/Capitol Radio Group)

Issue: PRB appointee

 

Sen. Steve McClure

3-23-22

WUEZ Radio (Decatur) (11 other sources)

Issue: PRB appointee

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-23-22

Illinois Business Journal (2 other sources)

Issue: PRB appointee

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-22-22

Chicago Tribune (2 other sources)

Issue: PRB appointee

Tax Credits

Sen. Jil Tracy

3-25-22

Jacksonville Journal-Courier

Issue: Tax incentive for volunteer fire fighters

 

Sen. Jil Tracy

3-25-22

El Dia News Chicago

Issue: Tax credits for volunteer fire departments

 

Sen. Jason Barickman

3-25-22

Ford County Chronicle

Issue: Tax credits for volunteer fire departments

 

Sen. Neil Anderson

3-25-22

El Dia News Chicago

Issue: Tax credits for volunteer fire departments

 

Sen. Don DeWitte

3-25-22

El Dia News Chicago

Issue: Tax credits for volunteer fire departments

Unemployment Insurance Fund

Illinois Senate passes $4.1 billion bill partially paying off unemployment debt

WSIL TV 3

News 3

03/25/2022

“State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) called the bill's passage ill-advised and financially irresponsible.”

 

Pritzker Celebrates, GOP Slams Passage of SB2803 That Pays Down State Unemployment Insurance Fund

WLDS/WEAI

Benjamin Cox

03/25/2022

‘Republican State Senator Win Stoller of Peoria said in a press conference yesterday that the bill will have dire consequences: “We are facing the possibility of one of the largest tax increases on employers in Illinois history. We are facing the possibility of significant benefit cuts to people who need them most – unemployed workers. And, we are facing the possibility of trying to borrow our way out of this problem.”’

 

Area Lawmakers Weigh In On Hefty State Debt Legislation

WSPY News

Justin Ritz

03/25/2022

“Federal rules allow the state to deposit remaining American Rescue Plan money into the fund, by the end of this month. State Senator Sue Rezin recently shared her thoughts on the Senate floor.”

 

Local representatives and senator agree that COVID money should pay all trust fund debt

1430 WCMY

Steven Devine

03/25/2022

“St Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris says as Democrats have done this time and time again, they chose to raise taxes rather than pay off debt entirely. She says choosing to leave a $1.8 billion hole in the is critical social safety net program, with no plan to pay back the rest of the debt, leaves taxpayers on the hook for future increases.”

 

Senate Republicans criticize plan to pay down state's unemployment fund debt

WCBU

Maggie Strahan

03/24/2022

‘State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, led the GOP charge against this bill on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon, where he repeatedly called the bill a “train wreck.”’

 

“Joining Stoller in voting against the plan were Republican state Sens. Sally Turner and Jason Barickman, who represent parts of Bloomington-Normal. Democratic state Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria voted in favor.”

 

Amount of unemployment fraud not revealed as lawmakers evaluate paying debt

The Center Square

Greg Bishop

03/22/2022

“State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, said taxpayers need an estimate for Illinois.”

 

Sen. Bailey responds to Democrats’ failure to pay back unemployment money

104.3 The Party

Staff

03/24/2022

‘State Senator Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has released the following statement following the Senate passage of an incomplete plan to address the state’s multi-billion-dollar unemployment insurance trust fund deficit: “Our state is notorious for the way it manages money and today’s vote is proof that there is no change in sight.”’

 

Lawmakers send Pritzker bill partially paying unemployment insurance fund debt, paying other debts as Democrats claim ‘fiscal responsibility’

Ben Szalinski

03/25/2022

‘“We are facing the prospects of one of the largest tax increases on our employers in state history,” Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) said. “We’re also facing the possibility of cuts to employees who deserve these unemployment benefits, and we’re facing the possibility of trying to borrow our way out of this problem with additional bonding debt.”’

 

‘“Fiscal responsibility would have been a year ago, when we said let’s take the ARPA money and pay this off like so many other states did,” Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) said.’

 

House Votes to Spend ARPA Cash on Unemployment Fund, GOP says It's Not Enough

The Illinoize

Patrick Pfingsten

03/24/2022

‘Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) & Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria): “Illinois Democrats had a simple choice today, they could use ARPA funding to pay off the unemployment insurance trust fund debt, or they could impose a tax hike on jobs. As they have done time and time again, they chose the tax hike. The only way to avoid a tax increase on jobs and cuts to unemployment benefits is to fully pay off the debt our state owes to the federal government.”’

 

Democrats herald partially paying down unemployment debt; Republicans warn of tax increases, benefit cuts to come

The Center Square

Greg Bishop

03/24/2022

“State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said Republicans support paying down debt, but they want to pay down the whole debt. Not doing so could lead to tax increases on businesses, benefit cuts for the unemployed and continued interest payments that taxpayers would be responsible for.”

 

“State Sen. Win Stoller said if the balance isn’t paid by this summer, there'll be tax increases on job creators and benefit reductions for the unemployed.”

 

Financial stabilization or backdoor tax? Lawmakers tackle Illinois' unemployment debt

State-Journal Register

Andrew Adams

03/24/2022

‘"I wish to be recorded as a hell no," said Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, after a technical issue prevented her vote from being initially recorded.’

 

‘"Texas used almost half of their ARPA funds, 7.2 billion, to fix their unemployment trust fund deficit," said Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills.’

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-23-22

WIND Radio (Chicago)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance fraud

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-23-22

WMIX Radio (Mt. Vernon) (4 other sources)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance fraud

 

Sen. Sue Rezin

3-24-22

WIFR-TV (Rockford) (4 other sources)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Chapin Rose

3-24-22

Effingham Daily News (5 other sources)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Dan McConchie

3-25-22

KFVS-TV (Cape Girardeau, MO)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Dan McConchie

3-24-22

WICD-TV (Champaign)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Don DeWitte

3-24-22

WTTW-TV (Chicago)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Jason Barickman

3-24-22

WCBU Radio (NPR-Peoria)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Sally Turner

WCBU Radio (NPR-Peoria)

Issue: Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Sue Rezin

3-25-22

WCMY Radio (Ottawa)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-25-22

KFS-TV (Cape Girardeau, MO)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Win Stoller

3-25-22

KFVS-TV (Cape Girardeau, MO) (3 other sources)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Win Stoller

3-24-22

WCBU Radio (NPR-Peoria)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Win Stoller

3-24-22

WMBD Radio (Peoria)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Jason Barickman

3-25-22

WMBD-TV (Peoria) (2 other sources)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-25-22

WEEK-TV (Peoria) (multiple newscasts)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-24-22

WGEM-TV (Quincy)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Chapin Rose

3-25-22

Jacksonville Journal-Courier (1 other source)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Chapin Rose

DeWitt Daily News

3-25-22

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Dan McConchie

3-25-22

KMOV-TV (St. Louis) (139 other sources)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Don DeWitte

3-25-22

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Don DeWitte

3-25-22

Jacksonville Journal-Courier (1 other source)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-25-22

Jacksonville Journal-Courier (1 other source)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Steve McClure

3-25-22

Jacksonville Journal-Courier (1 other source)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Sue Rezin

3-25-22

WCSJ Radio (Morris) (1 other source)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-25-22

KMOV-TV (St. Louis)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Win Stoller

3-25-22

Jacksonville Journal-Courier (1 other source)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Win Stoller

3-25-22

KMOV-TV (St. Louis)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Win Stoller

3-25-22

WLDS/WEAI Radio (Jacksonville)

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Win Stoller

3-25-22

DeWitt Daily News

Issue: Unemployment Trust Fund debt

 

Sen. Jason Barickman

3-25-22

WMBD-TV (Peoria)

Issue: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt

MISC.

Shawneetown Port Project makes progress, hoping to open by January 2023

WSIL TV

Madeline Parker
03/21/2022

“Inside the Shawneetown Regional Port District, Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), Illinois's Secretary of Transportation Omer Osman, and other community members came together to solidify plans for the revitalization of the Shawneetown Port.”

 

Family holds Justice for Molly memorial ten years into ongoing investigation

Joe Rehana

WSIL TV 3

03/27/2022

“State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) also spoke at the event Sunday. She sponsored two house bills signed by Governor Bruce Rauner in 2016, which are known as Molly's Laws.”

 

Community Forum: Jason Barickman Talks About Pontiac Prison, the State Budget and More

WJEZ Classic Hits 98.9

Staff

03/25/2022

“State Senator Jason Barickman talks about his understanding of the Pontiac prison situation, about the state budget, and gives his reaction to the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. The Community Forum on WJEZ is sponsored by K & S Ford in Fairbury.”

 

Illinois lawmakers could pass plan to diversify health care workforce

WGEM

Mike Miletich

03/22/2022

“Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) asked Kirchoff if people would not be eligible for this program if they already received financial assistance from another loan repayment program. While Kirchoff couldn’t provide that information during committee, she noted that members will have that answer before the full Senate votes on the bill.”

 

Jelani Day Bill passes Illinois State Senate, awaits approval by House

Vidette Online

MARISSA HARVEY

03/23/2022

“Illinois State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) explained the controversy that occurred when Gabby Petito’s body was found by the FBI within days.”

 

Bill allowing DCFS workers to carry pepper spray meets opposition from advocates including ACLU

The Daily Line

Ben Szalinski

03/42/2022

“Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) filed SB1486 in response to the murder of Sangamon County Deidre Silas, saying it would ensure investigators are able to protect themselves if a person becomes aggressive toward them. Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) defended the bill in the House Human Services Committee Wednesday against accusations that the bill lacks “guardrails” to ensure employees use pepper spray properly.”

 

Illinois lawmakers can help families fight inflation by putting cap on gasoline sales tax

Chicago Sun-Times

Dave Syverson and Donald DeWitte

03/21/2022

“State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) represents the 35th District. State Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) represents the 33rd District.”

 

Keicher, Syverson propose sales tax cap on gasoline as prices surge in Illinois

The Shaw Local

Kelsey Rettke and Tom Collins

03/24/2022

“State Republican lawmakers Rep. Jeff Keicher and Sen. Dave Syverson are calling on Springfield to cap the statewide sales tax on motor fuel at 18-cents per gallon to provide relief for Illinoisans at the gas pump amid soaring prices and inflation.”

 

Dems celebrate, GOP castigates

93.9 WTAX News Radio

Staff

03/24/2022

“The $2.7 billion dollar payment – representing only half the fund’s shortage – passed both chambers on a partisan vote, and State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) said they’re doing it wrong.”

 

“Speaking of labor and business, while Pritzker lauded their leadership and involvement, State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) said Pritzker’s misleading you. She said labor and business actually oppose the bill as passed, but they wouldn’t say so, adding Democrats had a figurative gun to their heads.”

 

Sen. John Curran

3-24-22

Positively Naperville (Story about the major’s State of the City Address)

Issue: Tornado recovery

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-25-22

Pontiac Daily Leader

Issue: Downsizing of the Pontiac and Vandalia CC

 

Sen. John Curran

3-27-22

WFLD-TV (Chicago (5 other sources)

Issue: Ending cash bail

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

Southern Illinoisan

3-27-22

Issue: 10th anniversary of Molly Young’s death

 

Sen. Terri Bryant

3-23-22

KWQC-TV (Quad Cities) (4 other sources)

Issue: High school diploma for DOC inmates

 

Sen. Dale Fowler

3-24-22

KFVS-TV (Cape Girdeau, MO) (3 other sources)

Issue: Volunteer fire fighter shortage

 

Sen. Dave Syverson

3-24-22

Ogle County Newspapers

Issue: Capping the sales tax on motor fuel

 

Sen. Jason Plummer

3-24-22

FarmWeek

Issue: Inflation’s impact on lumber industry

 

Sen. Dale Fowler

3-24-22

Edwardsville Intelligencer

Issue: Covid tests for SIU-E students

 

Sen. Dave Syverson

3-23-22

WIRF-TV (Rockford)

Issue: Health care scholarships

 

Sen. Jason Barickman

3-21-22

WCMY Radio (Ottawa)

Issue: Downsizing the Pontiac Correctional Center

 

Sen. Steve McClure

3-21-22

WICD-TV/WICS-TV (Champaign/Springfield)

Issue: State budget

 

Sen. Sue Rezin

3-21-22

WSPY Radio (Aurora) (1 other source)

Issue: Capping the sales tax on motor fuel

 

Sen. Dale Fowler

3-21-22

WSIL-TV (Harrisburg) (1 other source) (multiple newscasts)

Issue: Shawneetown Port District

 

Sen. Steve McClure

3-21-22

WCCU-TV (Springfield)

Issue: Allowing DCFS workers to carry pepper spray

 

Sen. Dave Syverson

3-23-22

KFVS-TV (Cape Giradeau, MO) (3 other sources)

Issue: Health Care scholarships