Last November, during the fall veto session, State Senator Terry Link (D – Waukegan) sponsored and passed major reforms to Illinois’ Unemployment Insurance system (SB 72).

The result of months-long negotiations between business & labor leaders, this reform not only put our UI system back on the path to solvency after a hard-hitting national recession, but it also reduced employer taxes by $400 million without decreasing benefits.

Ashley Hooks, Miss Illinois USA for 2012, was introduced to the full Illinois Senate on Thursday.

As a child, Miss Hooks learned to play both the saxophone and piano, as well as developing a love of

sports including softball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, track, ice skating and dance. 

Miss Hooks attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School, where she was also a reporter for the schools radio station, WHFH. 

The Senate’s Appropriations Committees set the stage for Governor Quinn’s Budget Address next week with testimony from budget expert former Republican budget director Steve Schnorf.

The meeting, held in Chicago’s Bilandic Building, proved to meet the expectations of Senators Heather Steans and Dan Kotowski who are entering their second fiscal year as Appropriations Chairs. Committee members heard presentations from the Civic Federation, the Governor’s Office of Management & Budget and the Budgeting for Results Commission.

I look at this legislation as the first opportunity to raise the EITC since its inception in 2000 as well as the first step in providing some progressivity to our income tax code by tying the personal income exemption to inflation.
- State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, sponsor the economic relief package.

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Thousands of working families across the state will get added economic relief under legislation signed into law Tuesday that was championed by Illinois State Sen. Toi Hutchinson.

The proposal – SB 400 – provides for the first increase to the state Earned Income Tax Credit since it was created in 2000.  It also, for the first time, ties the standard deduction that all state taxpayers receive to inflation.

Following the Senate's final approval of an economic package on Tuesday, Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton discussed with reporters the legislation, what needs to be done next and some of the accomplishments of the past year.

Following the Senate's final approval of an economic package on Tuesday, Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton discussed with reporters the legislation, what needs to be done next and some of the accomplishments of the past year.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton talked to reporters about the Senate's accomplishments during Tuesday's session. Cullerton stressed the importance of the McCormick Place legislation that was given final approval along with a budget plan that will keep state facilities open and prevent layoffs for the remainder of the state's current fiscal year. The Senate President also addressed the status of an economic package the Senate approved Tuesday with bipartisan support.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton talked to reporters about the Senate's accomplishments during Tuesday's session. Cullerton stressed the importance of the McCormick Place legislation that was given final approval along with a budget plan that will keep state facilities open and prevent layoffs for the remainder of the state's current fiscal year. The Senate President also addressed the status of an economic package the Senate approved Tuesday with bipartisan support.

Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton talks to reporters at the conclusion of Thursday's Senate session. Cullerton answered questions about the status of gaming legislation, the budget and ongoing efforts to address business tax issues.

Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton talks to reporters at the conclusion of Thursday's Senate session. Cullerton answered questions about the status of gaming legislation, the budget and ongoing efforts to address business tax issues.