Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for Decision 2012. In what’s certain to be another exciting race—and another round of partisan bickering over health care, the economy and job creation—candidates on both sides of the aisle are placing names on…
Author Archive for Sara Browning
House GOP approves payroll tax cut extension
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
On the brink of failing to extend a payroll tax cut into the New Year, Congress sends the average worker an early Christmas present. Just days before Christmas, House Speaker John Boehner announced a Republican decision to accept a short-term…
Springfield State House Rescues Unemployment Fund
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
Illinois’s General Assembly takes swift action to mitigate the state’s loss of insurance to the unemployed. Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund has been on hiatus. Although the state added 30,000 jobs last month, officials say as more of Illinois’ jobless re-entered…
City Leaders Seek Input on Cumulative Voting System
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
Peoria may change the way it elects City Council members provided city residents are unhappy with the outcome. Bradley University’s Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service (IPL) is leading an initiative to give Peoria citizens a chance to weigh…
Central Illinois Taking Steps Toward Energy Deregulation
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
Next spring could see Central Illinois voters having a voice in which company supplies electricity to their homes. Should voters allow their city councils to act on their behalf when it comes to choosing their home electrical suppliers? Some Central…
Illinois, Peoria Recent Hot Spots for Politicians
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
D.C. Democrats visit Central Illinois while Governor Quinn reveals a new use for shingles. Home State Tour Campaign 2012 is revving up across the country and Illinoisans are seeing some early signs—most notably President Barack Obama’s bus tour across the…
New Thinking Improves Warehouse District
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
Council works toward continued improvements on Heart of Peoria Plan.Since 2002, the City of Peoria has collaborated with numerous stakeholders and outside consultants to create the Heart of Peoria Plan designed to effectively transform over 8,000 acres of the City…
Lines Redrawn: Quinn OKs U.S. House District Map
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
After months of deliberation among state lawmakers, Governor Quinn signs into law new districts that he says meet with his desire for ‘openness and fairness.’ Democrats have more than one reason for fireworks this month after their leader in Springfield…
Gas Prices Pinch Peoria’s Wallet
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
Growing public concern over rising gas prices has prompted some action from the White House, but Peorians aren’t likely to see relief anytime soon. Uprisings in Libya have given city residents a new reason to care about government, both abroad…
City Council at-Large Welcomes New Faces
by Sara Browning • • 0 Comments
The campaign is over; now the real work begins. Chuck Weaver and Beth Akeson take on the challenging task of finding innovative solutions to tax hikes, economic development snafus and Peoria’s $11 million deficit. Long-standing structural problems and fiscal irresponsibility…