As the State of Illinois faces a $7 billion to $8 billion revenue shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, State Representative Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) believes lawmakers need to take…

Over the weekend I became aware of two important issues related to the Governor’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis. Information about both is still being collected, but I want to…

Today lawmakers finally received word that we’re returning to Springfield. House Republicans have been pushing for the legislature to reconvene for weeks, and we’re glad the Governor and Democrat leaders…

In an effort to assist small businesses and independent contractors impacted by COVID-19, DuPage County, in cooperation with Choose DuPage, is providing grants to assist with employee retention payroll costs,…

Speaker Madigan has cancelled the four scheduled session days for this week, extending the time during which the House has been sidelined. We have not met since March 5. Government…

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is constantly seeking ways to include student voice in all of the work happening at this agency. ISBE’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) is…

Yesterday the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), which handles unemployment claims for the state, reported that more than one million Illinoisans have lost their jobs since March 1. It’s…

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded and the March stay home order was put into place, House Republicans created an internal Economic Recovery Working Group. Chaired by Deputy Republican Leader Dan…

A comprehensive economic reopening and recovery framework created by House Republicans (HGOP) was shared with Governor Pritzker prior to the unveiling of his own recovery plan. Even though he had…

Independent contractors, sole proprietors, gig workers and those who receive 1099 tax forms, who up to this point have not been eligible for jobless benefits, can apply for out of…