Budget politics: What was Quinn thinking?

By Rich Miller

Child care advocates thought they had avoided $400 million in threatened cuts to the state’s child care services budget after speaking with top officials in Gov. Pat Quinn’s office earlier

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, February 17,2011

Outspoken Topinka isn’t shy about budget cuts

By Rich Miller

“Is it weird that I’m kind of glad to have Judy Baar Topinka back?” a Democratic friend of mine asked me the other day.No, I replied. It’s not weird. I’m glad she’s

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, February 10,2011

Quinn makes shameful cuts to child care

By Rich Miller

The state’s Secretary of Human Services met with a group representing child-care providers Jan. 31 and gave them some bad news. Prepare for $100 million in cuts to child-care programs, Secretary

Politics - Rich Miller | Tuesday, February 1,2011

Capital plan invalidated, now hinges on state Supreme Court

By Rich Miller

Billions of dollars worth of badly needed state construction projects on roads, bridges, schools and transit were abruptly halted last week when a state appellate court tossed out Illinois’ enti

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, January 27,2011

Stand for Children shows up with big bucks

By Rich Miller

An out-of-state education reform group raised a whopping $2.8 million in the days leading up to historic state caps on campaign contributions. All of the money raised by Stand for Children’s Ill

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, January 20,2011

Stormy weather ahead for tax-increase Democrats

By Rich Miller

Whether they admitted it or not, a large majority of Statehouse denizens was relieved last week when the General Assembly approved the income tax hike. Ironically enough, Republicans may have been the

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, January 13,2011

Democrats prepare for a game of mapmaking

By Rich Miller

The official U.S. Census numbers were released not long ago. The statistics revealed that Illinois will lose one U.S. congressional seat when the new district maps are drawn. It’s impossible to

Politics - Rich Miller | Wednesday, December 29,2010

Organized labor fights back

By Rich Miller

Organized labor is engaged in a furious multi-front legislative war in Illinois, and more skirmishes may be on the horizon. Trade and industrial unions are hoping to mitigate major damage from propose

Politics - Rich Miller | Wednesday, December 22,2010

Why Tim Davlin was a Statehouse favorite

By Rich Miller

Springfield mayors hold a unique position in Illinois. As the mayor of the state’s capital city, they have access to more state leaders more often and more intimately than just about any other l

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, December 16,2010

Social services on the brink of collapse

By Rich Miller

I’ve been saying for the past couple of years that Illinois government is one of the biggest drags on our state’s economy. Now, a new survey shows just how true that is.The survey was cond