Effects of President Obama's "Free Community College" Proposal

IL Supreme Court Chief Justice Garman on Advances Made in Legal Profession

David Hiller, CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation on Improving Civic Engagement, Knowledge Among Illinois Public

Sen Mike Connelly Offers Legislation to Allow School Nurses to Administer NARCAN, to Combat Heroin Overdoses

WHEATON, IL – With help from local law enforcement officials, State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Lisle) is sponsoring legislation to allow school nursing personnel to administer the life-saving NARCAN antidote to prevent drug overdoses. “DuPage law enforcement officials have already recorded 32 ‘saves’ of individuals in 2014, who would have died had it not been for them being equipped with NARCAN,” Connelly said. “We have to do more to help combat the scourge of heroin and other opioids and my bill will enable school medical personnel to use this valuable antidote. To date, the DuPage NARCAN effort has trained 35 departments and nearly 1,900 law enforcement officers. The program is the first county-wide application of NARCAN in the state.” Connelly’s legislation would help take the DuPage NARCAN Project statewide. Senate Bill 73 models efforts after the program that law enforcement officers have taken part in since October 2013. DuPage NARCAN began after a county health department grant provided training and supplies for nearly 370 local law enforcement officers. DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has credited the antidote as a means to help slow the heroin epidemic. “This bill is about saving lives, pure and simple. NARCAN is a proven tool in law enforcement’s effort to save lives. The DuPage project can serve as a model for the rest of Illinois.” Dr. Richard Jorgensen, DuPage County Coroner says he supports the legislation because it is a common-sense solution. His office has dealt with an ever-increasing number of heroin-related overdoses in recent years. “NARCAN has very few, if any, serious side effects and when administered can be a life-saving tool. When used to reverse the effects of opioids and heroin, we have 32 documented cases, right here in our county that show the positive benefits. More specifically, we have evidence to show that during school hours, educating school medical personnel about the usage of NARCAN, we can help save school-aged children.” Senate Bill 73 is loosely based off of Public Act 98-0795, which allows school personnel to administer “epi-pens,” which help reverse anaphylactic shock. The legislation would make school districts and authorized personnel immune from civil liabilities, if NARCAN is administered in “good faith.” ###

Inauguration of State Senate, Election of Leadership Positions

Gov Rauner Signs Executive Order on State Employee Ethics

Gov Bruce Rauner's Inauguration and Address

THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS WAR MEMORIALS

Historic Preservation Agency seeks public input Jan. 24 on plans for future war memorials The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Board of Trustees will host a public meeting Saturday, Jan. 24, to get input on how to manage space in the state’s collection of war memorials in Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery. The agency now operates memorials there for veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Additional groups have approached the IHPA about adding memorials to the site, which has a finite amount of space. The IHPA Board of Trustees is seeking input from veterans groups and the general public regarding further development of the site and appropriate criteria for adding memorials. Who: Any member of the public with an interest in when and how new war memorials should be added at Oak Ridge Cemetery. What: Public meeting Where: Great Room, IHPA headquarters, 313 S. Sixth Street, Springfield When: Noon – 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24. (Postponed from the original date in December) Why: To gather public input on honoring military personnel past and present. Details: Each person may speak for three minutes. No more than three people from any one group may speak. Pre-registration for speaking times may be made by contacting Aly Grady at 217-558-8950. Written comments will be accepted until Jan. 31, 2014. Comments may be sent to hpa.info@illinois.gov with “War Memorial” in the subject field or mailed to IHPA, Attn Aly Grady, 313 South 6th Street, Springfield, IL 62701.

Gov. Quinn on His Past Six Years as Governor, Plans For The Future

Expectations for Rauner Administration, Spring Legislative Session

Illinois Municipal League Director on What Rauner Admin. Should Know Abo...

Effect on State Revenue With State Income Tax Rate Dropping

Gov Elect Rauner Names Members of his Administration.

The Associated Press reports Gov-Elect Rauner has selected Former State Senator James Meeks, a Democrat who supported Charter Schools and school choice, to serve as Chairman of the State Board of Education.

Randy Blankenhorn, who was the head of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, is going to serve as Sec of Transportation

Tim Nuding, who served as Sen Christine Radogno's Chief of Staff, is going to serve as Budget Director.

Three former aides to former Indiana Governor, Mitch Daniels, who Mr Rauner has described as one of his favorite governors, will join the Rauner Administration.

Grant Hammer, who worked for Treasurer Rutherford, will serve as the Director of Community Affairs.   And Grant Hammer's wife, Jennifer, will serve as Gov Rauner's Special Counsel and policy advisor for Healthcare and Human Services.

Rauner says "Illinois is in a Death Spiral" as Transition Team Releases Report on Illinois' Condition.

Statement from Bruce Rauner, January 9, 2015

“The state of Illinois is in a death spiral and in desperate need of a turnaround. I look forward to reviewing these recommendations to ensure my administration can hit the ground running,” said Bruce Rauner. “I appreciate the hard work from Evelyn and the transition team, and am ready to work with all levels of government, business and civic leaders and residents throughout the state to bring back Illinois.”

A full copy of the report can be found here.

Science of Memory: Fallibility of Eyewitness Identification.

Republican House Leader Jim Durkin's Statement on Leslie Munger as Comptroller

“Leslie Munger is a smart choice for Illinois Comptroller. I witnessed first-hand her work ethic and became friends with her immediately.  Leslie is honest, driven and dedicated to improving Illinois. She brings to the office 25 years of business experience in the private sector that will serve the taxpayers well. While no one can take the place of Judy Baar Topinka, I know Leslie Munger will do a great job as Comptroller and leading the charge to merge the two offices of Comptroller and Treasurer. Judy Baar Topinka would be proud of this appointment.”

-                                                                              Jim Durkin

Gov-Elect Rauner Selects Leslie Munger to fill Comptroller's Position.

Following his swearing-in next week, Gov Rauner will appoint Leslie Munger from Lincolnshire to Comptroller position. She is a businesswoman with MBA from Northwestern University.

Munger ran for the Illinois Legislature in November 2014, and came close to defeating Carol Sente (D) in the 59th House District.

Munger is a wife and mother of two boys, Tom and Andrew.

Brad Cole, The New Executive Director of the Illinois Municipal League