Blog Posts

The Western Illinois University Quad Cities campus furthered its mission as a comprehensive public university this week by opening the first phase of a planned expansion made possible by the statewide construction plan passed by the General Assembly in 2009. 

“This is an example of the direct link from Springfield to our local communities,” said Jacobs.  “The construction plan passed by the General Assembly includes projects like the WIU campus expansion in all regions of the state.  I wouldn’t have voted for it if it didn’t include key projects to help our region grow and put local people to work.  Without that statewide construction program, this local project doesn’t happen.”

Read more: Campus Opens thanks to Illinois Statewide Construction Plan, Senator Jacobs

All across the state, Illinois Senate Democrats marked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. yesterday. Click below to see what some of your State Senators were up to.

Read more: Senate Dems mark MLK, Jr.'s legacy

“This legislation closes doors that should have never been opened in the first place.” 

 - State Senator Kwame Raoul, sponsor of pension-loophole closing legislation

News of Governor Pat Quinn signing into law legislation that ends specific pension abuses has spread throughout the state and received favorable reviews from opinion writers.

Read more: Media Reacts to Pension Reform Legislation Signing

On January 5, Governor Quinn signed into law House Bill 3813, sponsored by Senator Kwame Raoul, which prohibits state workers from receiving benefits based on non-state salaries when they take a leave of absence to work for a union. In the future, employees who take leaves of absence will also not be able to count their union employment as part of their term of service to the state for pension purposes.

Read more: Media Weighs In on Pension Reform