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Illinois Senate

Thursday, April 18, 2013

State House Passes Medical Marijuana Bill, Quinn ‘Open-minded’

The state Senate will now review a bill that would legalize medical marijuana for qualified patients in Illinois.

Medical marijuana is closer to becoming a reality in Illinois than ever before after the bill squeezed by the House of Representatives in a 61-57 vote on Wednesday. Both Homewood Rep. Will Davis and Flossmoor Rep. Anthony DeLuca voted yes on the bill. Check out how the rest of the House voted The Senate, which already approved a less restrictive marijuana bill in 2009, will now consider the bill. Should it pass, Governor Pat Quinn has already indicated his support of the bill, telling the Chicago Tribune he is “open-minded” about it.  Get in on the conversation. Join H-F Patch today.

Squiggey

10:43 pm on Thursday, April 18, 2013

Blah Blah Blah.they delete these anyway.   more ›

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Rep. Renée Kosel: Same Sex Marriage Bill is Hot Topic in the House

The bill to legalize same sex marriage has stirred a debate among legislators on both sides of the aisle.

While only one Senate Republican voted in favor of the same sex marriage bill that gained approval of the Illinois Senate, Rep. Renée Kosel, R-New Lenox, foresees significant debate in the House of Representatives.       "It's a bipartisan issue. I'm not supporting it," she said, but the bill has advocates on both sides of the aisle. "I haven't done a head count, but it's close," said Kosel, who represents the  37th District, serving all or portions of New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, Tinley Park and Orland Park.   Personally, Kosel said the bill runs counter to her faith. At the same time, what concerns her is how the bill would affect religious organizations. The legislation becomes problematic in regard to the religious liberty of church …

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laura

8:04 am on Monday, February 25, 2013

A Lori C.: No, I do not at all consider it ironic that you pray to Jesus for your Jewish friends. True open-mindedness does not assume that Jews would reject, be offended by or think anything untoward of your gracious offer of help via your prayers. That is my point: We all can use it from whatever well-intended source is willing to offer that help, whether via prayers, good karma or simply open-…   more ›

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Patch on Politics

ComEd Wants You to Pay More for Electricity You Used Last Year

The utility wants lawmakers to amend a 2011 rate-hike law to allow the utility to retroactively collect money for electricity already used.

 The Illinois Senate Executive Committee unanimously approved a request by ComEd and Ameren to "clarify" a 2011 law that allowed the utilities to raise electricity rates, Illinois Public Radio reports. The clarification would allow the power companies to retroactively charge higher rates for the electricity you've already used, potentially raising up to $70 million for ComEd, according to Sun-Times Media. The 2011 law changed the formula used to determine charges. But the utilities say it didn't work as intended. They say regulators aren't letting them charge what they need. Now the companies are back, asking the legislature to pass another law, clarifying the old one.  (Says) ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore: "Without it we are stalled in these…

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Tom S

9:42 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013

Under the Smart Grid law passed in 2011, ComEd committed to spend $2.6 billion over 10 years to modernize the electric grid in Northern Illinois. The ICC's interpretation of the law reduced funding to complete the modernization program. As a result, ComEd faced a reduction in funding of nearly $100 million per year in 2014 and beyond. Without the additional funding, ComEd stated it could not …   more ›

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Frankfort Man Plans Senate Run Against 'Cook County Machine'

Frankfort Republican Tuck Marshall is slated to run against Democratic incumbent Toi Hutchinson, of Olympia Fields, for the 40th District state Senate seat. Newly drawn maps bring Hutchinson's district into some of Frankfort and New Lenox.

Fearing a Cook County takeover of Will County politics, a Frankfort man is planning to run for a state Senate seat against Democratic incumbent Toi Hutchinson of Olympia Fields.  J.C. "Tuck" Marshall, 65, was slated by the Will County Republican Party to oppose Hutchinson in the 2012 election for Illinois' 40th District Senate seat.  Newly drawn district maps extended Hutchinson's reach to portions of Kankakee and Will County, including the southern parts of Frankfort and New Lenox. Her district still represents parts of Flossmoor and Chicago Heights as well. New maps also brought longtime Chicago Democrat Bobby Rush's district into the south suburbs. "I bring a Will County perspective," Marshall said. "We’re more rural. People have the …

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Peter Martin

1:22 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

Dear Folks, Tuck Marshall is a "proven" entrepreneur/businessman who made it happen in the business world...in a number of successful enterprises. His election will mean lower taxes, honest politics, and end to Illinois being the last in everything good. He will give a fair shake to both BOTH men and women...and their children. He is a man that will make us proud! Toi worked for "Ducking Debie …   more ›

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Street Rep: Laraway Road a Dividing Line for New Elected Officials

Parts of New Lenox could see more Democratic representation when new state and congressional boundaries go into effect with the 2012 election.

When the 2012 election rolls around, New Lenox will likely see new faces to its politics. Almost a month ago, new state and congressional maps were passed that make some major changes to current district boundaries. States are required to redraw district maps every 10 years to reflect population shifts based off the 2010 Census. Although the eleciton is a ways off, Mayor Tim Baldermann said Monday that he'd been contacted by state Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Crete), who represents the 80th House district in Illinois, which will include New Lenox residents south of Laraway Road come next year. DeLuca would be the village's second state representative, with current Rep. Renee Kosel (R-New Lenox) continuing to take up the majority of the village…

Walter

9:42 am on Saturday, July 2, 2011

I believe the first two comments say it all. The Democratic Communist Party is flexing muscle knowing they could not win elections here without forcing their will on us. We truly are in Hades with Communist Leader boobie rush   more ›

Friday, May 20, 2011

Local Districts Would Change in Proposed House, Senate Boundaries

Republican Sen. Christine Radogno's district would move north of New Lenox, while Democratic Sen. Maggie Crotty's, would extend west.

Local representation in the state House and Senate could change if Democratic plans to redraw district boundaries hold up. According to Illinois Statehouse News, states are required to redraw district maps every 10 years to reflect population shifts. Lawmakers are using 2010 census data for this task. Currently, New Lenox is represented by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) in the 41st state Senate district. In the redrawing, Radogno and other Republicans have been moved into districts with other senators that could result in inter-party clashes in 2012. Radogno's district currently covers a majority of Frankfort, Homer Glen, Lemont and New Lenox, as well as portions of Downers Grove and Orland Park. Under the remapping …

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Death Penalty Ban Passes Illinois Senate, Heads to Gov. Quinn's Desk

The llinois Senate passed a ban on executions with a 32-25 vote.

The Illinois State Senate voted to ban the death penalty in a 32-25 vote Tuesday afternoon. The ban passed the House last week and now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for approval. Illinois has not carried out an execution since former Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty 10 years ago. That decision came after several Death Row inmates were found to be innocent. According to the Chicago Tribune, Quinn has yet to make a public statement on if he will sign the bill into law. See the table below for the votes of your local representatives:

Mike Meyers

9:05 am on Wednesday, January 12, 2011

It appears to Me that I live in the only sane place in Illinois. Thank God for Republicans having spines! Mike Meyers   more ›

Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year, New Laws: See Which Laws Went Into Effect Jan. 1

From drug bans to pension reforms to tougher penalties for motor vehicle offenses, here’s a look at some of the new legislation taking effect in the new year.

As the clock struck midnight Jan. 1, a new year began — and with it came new legislation, including a ban on a "fake marijuana" drug, regulations aimed at stopping kids and teens from "sexting" and a law reducing fees on license plates that pay tribute to Illinois veterans. Here's a rundown of some of the legal highlights. Click the links to read the text of each bill or to see how your local legislators voted. Right now, it's legal to sell the drugs, available online and at shops that sell herbal medicines, according to Will County Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Kaupas. "From what I understand, it is a substance that gives the user a high, like any hallucinogen would," Kaupas said. Popular among teens, the drug typically comes packaged in…

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Despite Loss, Wojcik Proud of Race Against Crotty

Updated to include final results.

It was a staggering loss, with state Sen. M. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) nearly doubling the vote tally of challenger Kirby School Board member Adam Wojcik. And Wojcik said he couldn't be prouder. "I couldn't be more proud of the fact that we ran and we ran a very honest and fiscally responsible campaign," Wojcik said Wednesday morning. Crotty will stay in the 19th District seat after beating Wojcik 45,751-23,137 in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results from Cook and Will counties' clerk's offices. As of Wednesday morning, all of the Will County precincts in the district and 180 of the 182 Cook County precincts in the district had reported. EDITOR'S NOTE: When the last two precincts reported Wednesday afternoon, the …

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