From Our President Greising: Pritzker’s Budget Is a Big ‘Never Mind’ After Years of Bold Talk Last November, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal failed, the first-term governor warned of trouble ahead. Never mind all that. Gov. Pritzker’s $41.6 billion budget, delivered Wednesday, did not contain the deep cuts to education, social services and public safety he had foretold. Feb 19, 2021 2:15 PM
From Our President Greising: We’re About To See if Pritzker, Harmon and Welch Are Serious About Fair Maps The Census Bureau's delay leaves less time for political games and posturing. It demands that House Speaker, Senate President and Governor exhibit leadership, urgently, and do the right thing. Feb 5, 2021 3:01 PM
From Our President Greising | Mayor Lori Lightfoot at the Midpoint: Can She Still Live Up to Her Campaign Promises? The calendar quickly is approaching the second anniversary of the February 2019 municipal election that set Lori Lightfoot’s trajectory toward the mayor’s office. What a difference a couple of years — and a COVID-19 crisis — makes. Feb 5, 2021 12:15 PM
From Our President Greising: Welcome, Speaker Welch. Here’s Your To-Do List. New Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch's early pronouncements of opposing the gerrymandering of electoral maps and calling for a 10-year limit on the terms of legislative leaders represented a verbal departure from Michael Madigan's methods. Will Welch continue down Madigan's path or choose a different way? Jan 22, 2021 10:00 AM
From Our President Greising: Illinois' Do-Nothing Legislature Will Finally Convene. Its Inaction Took a Big Toll. Last year, the legislature adjourned a COVID-shortened session and never met again. That instance taught us one thing - that inaction can do damage to Illinois. Jan 8, 2021 4:00 PM
From Our President Greising | Enough Is Enough: Time to Act on Madigan Nevermind Madigan's legal troubles - his track record alone should have him removed from the Illinois House Speaker's seat. Jan 8, 2021 3:00 PM
From Our President Greising: Gov. Pritzker, Don’t Go Soft in The Fight Against COVID-19 In the state's battle against the coronavirus, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his colleague, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, have provided effective leadership. Even though there has been many public officials and lots of private resistance that have subverted the effort, Pritzker needs to ignore the pushback and continue cracking down. Dec 11, 2020 10:00 AM
From Our President Greising: Political Disorder is The Order of The Day in Springfield The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "anarchy" as the "absence of government." That seems to be the situation we're stuck in since the Illinois General Assembly - which has not met since last spring - decided it was closed for business. Dec 8, 2020 10:00 AM
From Our President Greising: The Next Test Ahead for The Governor 55% of people voted against J.B. Pritzker's "fair tax" proposal which was a crushing turnabout. The questions that remain are: What lessons does Pritzker draw from his first big loss and what does he do in response? Nov 13, 2020 3:00 PM
From Our President Greising: Life After an Iron-Grip House Speaker? New York Found a Way; Illinois Can Too. Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was ousted due to allegations of fraud and corruption. Whether Silver's past is Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's prologue remains to be seen. Nov 13, 2020 9:00 AM