Lake County Gazette

From Prairie State Wire

Former Illinois LIG says ethics commission 'squashed' her findings of 'wrongdoing'

By Vimbai Chikomo | 5 years ago

Former Illinois Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter is speaking out about the Legislative Ethics Commission’s effort to squash her reports on “wrongdoing.”

State of the State address offered nothing new, says 51st District House candidate Bos

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jan 30, 2020

Republican Candidate for the 51st district of the Illinois House of Representatives Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) says Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent state address was “more of the same” and offered little in the way of new policies that will boost the state’s economy, tackle mounting debt and restore people’s trust in their government.

Batinick: AFSCME members authorizing a strike is 'disappointing'

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 6, 2017

When the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) scheduled a strike vote earlier this year, many viewed the move as another tactic orchestrated by the union to prevent Gov. Bruce Rauner from imposing his last, best offer.

Report: Most of Illinois universities' state funds go toward pensions

By Vimbai Chikomo | Aug 1, 2016

This past academic year has been nothing short of trying for Illinois’ state universities, which rely heavily on the state for funding.

Candidates call on state to analyze how CPS funds are being spent

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 29, 2016

Illinois’ General State Aid (GSA) funds K-12 education and was originally intended to financially support school districts with the most need. Through the years, however, the formulas used to calculate the amount of state funding school districts receive has sparked outrage over the funding system providing large subsidies to a few select districts, namely, Chicago Public Schools.

McConchie: SIU study suggests Illinoisans tired of Madigan 'stranglehold' on power

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 17, 2016

A recent study revealed that Illinois’ financial crisis arises from “congenital failure” of leadership coupled with voters’ failure to grasp the enormity of the state’s money problems and their demands for accountability from legislators.

Wauconda mayor discusses village’s $1 million budget cut and how Illinois can live within its means

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 8, 2016

The village of Wauconda has achieved the kind of fiscal success many wish Illinois as a whole could master. 

Salzberg says Durbin should blame 'really bad policies' of Dems, not Abbott for layoffs

By Vimbai Chikomo | May 26, 2016

Illinois Republican Senate candidate Benjamin Salzberg says Democratic legislators should not be criticizing large companies when they are forced to lay off Illinois employees. Instead, blame should be placed on the “really bad policies” the party has supported.

McConchie, GOP lawmakers send third letter to Auditor General demanding answers on questionable campaign spending

By Vimbai Chikomo | May 6, 2016

Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly have tried once again to get answers from Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino regarding his campaign spending while serving in the House.

Proposal for per-mile tax on Illinois drivers creates challenges

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 29, 2016

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s proposal to tax Illinois drivers based on road usage may generate more revenue to maintain the state’s roads, but such a complex task may prove immensely difficult to implement and sustain.

Dawn Abernathy voices support for Independent Map Amendment

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 3, 2016

Dawn Abernathy, a Republican candidate for state House District 59, is supporting an Independent Maps petition to place the Independent Map Amendment before voters this November.

Unions choosing "intimidation tactics" over debate in right-to-work battle with Lincolnshire small business owners, expert says

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 24, 2016

Labor leaders in Lake and McHenry counties said Monday a boycott of some Lincolnshire businesses is in order due to a perceived anti-union Village Board vote last year. In response to the Lincolnshire Village Board’s right-to-work ordinance passed in December, Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor officials said they were endorsing a boycott of all nonunion businesses in Lincolnshire.

McConchie posts late Senate campaign message

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 14, 2016

Illinois Senate GOP candidate Dan McConchie has razor-sharp focus on what he hopes to accomplish in Springfield, if elected.

State House GOP legislators, candidates slam Madigan over recess

By Vimbai Chikomo | Mar 11, 2016

Rod Drobinski, a GOP candidate for the 62nd District state House seat, is appalled by the move by Democrats to dismiss a Republican attempt to cancel a scheduled recess.

Dist. 26 Senate GOP candidate piles up conservative endorsements

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 26, 2016

Not only is 26th District Senate GOP candidate Dan McConchie leading the polls across all demographics by 10 points, according to a new We Ask America poll conducted on Feb. 16, but he also has received five new endorsements from conservative lawmakers eager to have him on their team, which brings the total number of endorsements by conservative legislators to 14.

College of Lake County to hold Jobapalooza Fair

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 25, 2016

Lake County’s big Jobapalooza Job Resource Fair is coming up on March 3.

Lake County Board supports a state bill to help consolidate local governments

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 25, 2016

The Lake County Board is supporting an initiative to introduce new sate legislation to consolidate local governments and save taxpayers money.

Roslyn Road Elementary School reports poor PARCC scores despite highest spending per student

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 18, 2016

The 2015 standardized test scores for Barrington Community Unit School District (CUSD) 220’s Roslyn Road Elementary School were below average despite the school district posting the highest per student spending, according to a report recently released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). 

Fundamental reform is necessary to solve Illinois pension crisis, Senate candidate says

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 9, 2016

The Illinois pension crisis continues with little assurance that a quick-fix will solve the state’s mounting financial disaster.