Caitlin Nordahl Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

Barickman accuses Dems of dirty tricks to give CPS more money

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 7, 2017

House Democrats took a promising school funding reform bill and turned it into another handout to Chicago schools at the expense of the rest of the state, Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said before the close of the spring legislative session on Wednesday.

Barickman resolution creates 'Elder Abuse Awareness Day'

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 4, 2017

With the adoption of Sen. Jason Barickman’s (R-Bloomington) Senate Resolution 284, the General Assembly has designated June 15 "Elder Abuse Awareness Day" in an effort to encourage Illinois residents to learn more about the issue.

Madigan rep says Democratic gubernatorial candidates toe the line on tax increase

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 1, 2017

All of the Democrats hoping to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018 are backing Speaker of the House Michael Madigan's budget goal of raising taxes rather than enacting reforms, a Madigan spokesman told the Chicago Tribune recently.

Rauner says end run around Madigan only way forward for Illinois

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

The buckling stops here, Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a call-in radio show recently.

Watchdogs: Who's Joe, and why did Mautino pay him $12,487?

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

As a state lawmaker, Frank Mautino paid nearly $12,500 in campaign fund cash to a man named Joe without keeping any supporting receipts, according to a government oversight group.

Tax analyst: Illinoisans crushed under weight of sales, income, property taxes

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 25, 2017

Illinoisans pay more in total taxes than anyone else in the nation, so any thoughts about adding to that burden need to be forgotten, a tax analyst argued recently.

Brady budget described as deception wrapped in false spending cuts

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 21, 2017

Sen. Bill Brady’s (R-Bloomington) budget plan overestimates its spending cuts and overstates its reform efforts, the Illinois Policy Institute argued recently.

Small businesses have big role to play in saving Illinois, Rauner says on tour

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 18, 2017

Illinois can't grow unless its small businesses grow, Gov. Bruce Rauner told owners and employees of several of the state's 1 million such businesses on a brief tour recently.

Logical funding formula can help save public schools, Barickman vows

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 10, 2017

Illinois needs to replace its byzantine public education funding plan one with a logical formula, Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said on a morning radio program hours before a hearing on the legislation on Thursday.

Illinois regulations, taxes strangling small businesses, Rauner argues

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 10, 2017

Just as you must nurture a maple tree to get it to bear sap, lllinois must help strengthen its small businesses for its economy to grow.

Illinoisans told to take consolidation into their own hands

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 25, 2017

A public policy group is calling on Illinoisans to demand that the Senate follow the House's lead and approve a bill that would allow voters to decide to consolidate local governments.

Allin fire board accused of forgery, false billing

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 18, 2017

A transparency group has accused the Allin Township Fire Protection District Board of Trustees of forgery and and false billing and the McLean County sheriff of brushing the allegations aside.

Bloomington panel twice broke Open Meetings law

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 12, 2017

The Bloomington Election Commission violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA) twice in December through improper posting of meeting agendas, the Illinois attorney general determined recently.

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