Radogno questions “sham” medical marijuana bill

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno opposed passage of the medical marijuana bill, but said it calls for further frank discussion. “At the end of the day we’re kidding ourselves if we just think we’ve approved the medical use of marijuana,” said Radogno, whose 41st …

Dillard receives service award

HINSDALE — The Life Services Network Award was presented to state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-24th of Hinsdale, on Nov. 9 during a visit to Park Place in Elmhurst. The award was given for his “commitment and dedication to advancing quality older adult services,” officials said. …

Lipinski’s call for debt reduction meets with approval at Chamber

COUNTRYSIDE — A problem-solving, bipartisan approach to debt reduction and job creation is key to the nation’s future, U. S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-3rd, from Western Springs, told business and community leaders Monday.

Lipinski said he was disappointed the Simpson-Bowles budget, developed by leaders of …

County commissioners give preliminary OK to new district map

A proposed map redrawing boundaries for the Cook County Board of Commissioners districts received overwhelming preliminary approval Friday. Fifteen of the 17 commissioners signed off on the plan, which is slated for a final vote Tuesday. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Earlean Collins …

Dillard outspends Nybo in 24th District State Senate primary

Incumbent Kirk Dillard outspent challenger Chris Nybo by more than a 2-to-1 margin in the campaign leading up to the March 20 Republican primary for the newly-drawn 24th State Senate District. Dillard defeated Nybo convincingly, 19,145 to 11,928. Financial reports for the period Jan. 1-March …

Sandack pushes for state repealer

The Subcommittee on State Government has advanced legislation creating an Office of the Repealer, charged with weeding out and eliminating redundant and outdated laws and regulations. Senate Bill 3681, sponsored by state Sens. Ron Sandack and Kirk Dillard, was introduced in response to the many …

Sandack: Health care contract issues remain

Senate lawmakers worked to move bills through the legislative process before this week’s deadline, advancing hundreds of measures addressing issues that state Sen. Ron Sandack (R-23rd District) said range from criminal justice and procurement matters to state financial reporting and veterans’ assistance.

Also this week, …

Fire damages state senator’s office

The building that state Sen. Ron Sandack (R-21st District) recently moved his district office into suffered fire damage this week.

The building is destroyed and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the Monday fire. Senator Sandack said his unit suffered mostly smoke and …

Durkin faces Tea Party challenge in primary

Illinois has a spending problem, and Laura Reigle, a Tea Party-backed former Democratic committee woman who will face off against incumbent state Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs in the Republican primary for the Illinois 82nd House District, believes she can be part of the …

Biggert pushes forward on homeless education

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-13th) is applauding committee passage of legislation she wrote for homeless kids as part of a bill to revamp the nation’s kindergarten through grade 12 education guidelines. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Tuesday voted on a House …

Republicans flex conservative muscles in 3rd District race

Touting conservative tenets, a manufacturing supervisor, an attorney and an insurance agent all are vying for the Republican nomination in the 3rd Congressional District. But some Republicans are more conservative and true to their party than others, according to Richard Grabowski, a plant materials supervisor …

Chicago cop challenges Lipinski in 3rd District

Working as a campaign organizer for Barack Obama inspired Chicago police officer Farah Baqai to challenge incumbent Daniel Lipinski from Western Springs for the Democratic nomination in the 3rd Congressional District. Baqai, 44, of Chicago came to the United States from Pakistan in 1989 and …

Dillard, Nybo react to governor’s budget

The two candidates running in the March 20 Republican primary for state senator in the newly-drawn 24th Senate District both are giving some kudos to Gov. Pat Quinn for putting a focus on doing something about pension reform and Medicaid during his Feb. 22 budget …

Dillard says letter not contrary to statements on Senate remap

State Sen. Kirk Dillard , R-24th of Hinsdale, said a letter he sent in July 2011 to York Township Republican precinct committeemen does not contradict his statements that it was a rhetorical question when he was asked by the Democratic Senate president if he was …

Dillard, Nybo to square off in Republican Senate primary

The March 20 Republican primary for state senator in the newly-drawn 24th District includes an incumbent who says his opponent has never finished a term he has started and a challenger who says the incumbent has been in office long enough. Incumbent Kirk Dillard of …