Angela Underwood

Prairie State Wire • 7th June 2018

Despite GOP concerns, graduate research assistants one step closer to being able to unionize

A bill to amend the Illinois Labor Relations Act to allow graduate research assistants to unionize concerned three GOP lawmakers during the May 30 House floor debate. Opposed by Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) in May on the Senate floor, SB 2546 was...

Prairie State Wire • 31st May 2018

Lang resigns as House Deputy Majority Leader after being accused of sexual harassment

After being accused of sexual harassment by activist Maryann Loncar today -- and a day after he helped pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the state House -- Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) resigned from his leadership role as deputy majority leader. Loncar...

Prairie State Wire • 28th May 2018

GOP members pay their respects during annual Memorial Day tribute

Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo), Senate Minority Leader William Brady (R-Bloomington) and Gov. Bruce Rauner reminded Illinoisans of the ultimate sacrifice made by soldiers at a Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance ceremony last week. Illinoisan Department...

Prairie State Wire • 22nd May 2018

Bill allowing medical marijuana to be administered on school grounds awaits Rauner's signature

If Gov. Bruce Rauner signs off on HB4870, medical marijuana can be administered on school grounds. Passing through the state Senate at the May 17 debate, the bill, sponsored by Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), allows any student who is a qualified...

Prairie State Wire • 19th May 2018

House floor fervently honors McCain

That was the message House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) made sure the ailing U.S. senator received on Wednesday during the House floor debate when presenting HR1077. “One of the true joys and perks of the job is to be able to meet...

Prairie State Wire • 15th May 2018

Rauner's public safety amendatory veto draws mixed reactions

Gov. Bruce Rauner at an impromptu press conference Monday discussing the amendatory veto HB1468. Gov. Bruce Rauner is receiving pushback from both political parties over a public safety amendatory veto. The governor began an impromptu press...

Prairie State Wire • 23rd March 2018

Hampton sues Illinois Democratic Party, claims reporting harassment affected her career

Alaina Hampton will be heard no matter what it takes. The former campaign aide to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has filed a federal lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Friends of Michael J. Madigan Fund accusing...

Prairie State Wire • 5th March 2018

Bill to bar children younger than 12 from playing tackle football advances in House

Reps. Steven Andersson (R-Geneva) and Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) saw matters differently at a March 1 House Mental Health Committee hearing over HB4341, a bill sponsored by Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) that addresses the issue of chronic traumatic...

Prairie State Wire • 30th September 2020

National labor law attorney: Legal marijuana doesn't give employees a 'get out of jail free card'

Since Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, national labor lawyer and legal analyst Michelle Lee Flores suggests the Prairie State began to prepare for employment law issues. A partner in the Los-Angeles based law firm...

Prairie State Wire • 30th September 2020

Rauner signs law providing more funding for police officers and their families

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed House BIll 5513 into law, which provides additional funds for police officers and families. Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz said it was an honor to be in the presence of such overwhelming support for the...

Prairie State Wire • 30th September 2020

Before Janus v. AFSCME, there was Harris v. Quinn fighting for 1st Amendment rights

Pamela Harris said June 27 was a day to celebrate economic liberty and the restoration of the First Amendment rights to millions of workers and their families. In a 5-4 decision on that day, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of plaintiff Mark...

Prairie State Wire • 30th September 2020

Bill that would bolster legislative inspector's ability to look into sexual harassment claims sent to Rauner

House majority leader Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) chief of staff, head political operative and appointed House leader have stepped down or been fired since being accused of sexual harassment in the past few months, making HB 138 more timely than...

Prairie State Wire • 30th September 2020

Medical cannabis for short-term pain is questionable, some GOP lawmakers insist

A bill allowing for temporary access to medical cannabis to battle the opioid epidemic is in the hands of the governor. After SB 336, which was sponsored by Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), passed through the Senate and House successfully, Gov. Bruce...