Yesterday, a distinguished group of leaders appeared at a press conference, held by the CTA, to extol the virtues of the Second Chance Program. This program; created through a collaboration of community organizations, unions and the transit agency, affords ex-offenders and disadvantaged individuals an opportunity to receive training and a…
Months of negotiating and attempts to pass common sense legislation to benefit all of Illinois culminated in a hybrid budget that was passed in July. This budget has a combination of both six and twelve month appropriations. This budget measure will fund schools for another year and provide six months…
This summer a bill to create these CTA TIF districts was fast tracked through the General Assembly. Representative Riley stood in opposition to the legislation. Although the legislation would hold school funding harmless from the new TIF, local libraries and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago could potentially…
The Illinois budget impasse has been a disaster for the state’s human service infrastructure. The most respected and prominent human service providers are being run out of our state. Entire human service programs – like homeless services and sexual assault prevention – are in danger of going extinct in Illinois.…
By Cole Lauterbach – Illinois Radio Network | WBGZ Radio 7/1/2016 Lawmakers approved legislation Thursday that could create massive tax-financed infrastructure projects in Chicago and elsewhere across the state. The measure would allow for the creation of special taxing-districts, known as TIFs, to fund transportation-based development and redevelopment projects in…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A major Will County transit project is a step closer to reality as a result of legislation passed by state Rep. Al Riley, D-Olympia Fields, which will help local officials expand Weber Road and reduce traffic congestion around Interstate 55. “The county’s current acquisition process is one…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois homeowners at risk of foreclosure would have more time to apply for protection from losing their homes under a measure sponsored by state Rep. Al Riley, D-Olympia Fields, which is nearing passage in the General Assembly. “This legislation is a continuing effort to help homeowners…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A major Will County transit project is a step closer to reality as a result of legislation passed by state Rep. Al Riley, D-Olympia Fields, which will help local officials expand Weber Road and reduce traffic congestion around Interstate 55. “The bill we moved today would save…
Lawmakers from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus say the state’s budget stalemate is having a big impact on the black population as youths miss out on financial aid for colleges and after-school programs. The group called at a Monday news conference for an end to the standoff between Republican Gov.…
By Dave Dahl – October 27, 2015 A state lawmaker wants to keep the trains on the tracks – and it may take an act of Congress to do it. Dave Dahl reports. The modern train safety system known as “positive train control” is supposed to be in place this…