John Cullerton

Illinois Senate Working to Improve Odds for Gambling Bill

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:27:44 +0000

Supporters of a gambling expansion proposal are making changes to the legislation in an attempt to improve its chances with the Illinois Legislature and Gov. Pat Quinn.

Rikeesha Phelon is a spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton. She says Cullerton plans to strip language from the bill that would legalize Internet gaming and let lawmakers consider it as a separate measure.

Cullerton on Board with Illinois House Pension Fix

The Associated Press — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:18:16 +0000

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is on board with the newest Illinois House pension solution plan. Spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon says the Chicago Democrat plans to amend his proposed pension fix with language from a bipartisan House plan announced yesterday. But Cullerton would retain other provisions he says would ensure the plan's constitutionality.

Gay Marriage Expected in IL Committee Hearing

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:41:47 +0000

Legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Illinois is expected to come up in a Senate committee meeting today and could see a floor vote on Valentine's Day. Democratic Senator Heather Steans is the bill’s sponsor. She says it's on the executive committee's agenda, and she's confident it has the support to pass the Senate next week.

IL Pension Proposal Faces Uncertain Future

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:23:52 +0000

A plan to rescue Illinois' worst-in-the-country pension problem faces uncertainty in the final full day of the lame-duck legislative session. The House adjourned with a floor vote Monday on the contentious plan to reform the pension system. House committee members approved a proposal calling for more employee contributions and freezing cost-of-living increases to close the $96 billion deficit. Backers say it's a compromise on a complex problem that addresses many concerns. But opponents question whether it's constitutional.

Quinn Says Lawmakers are Distracted by Gambling Expansion

Associated Press — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:42:08 +0000

Governor Pat Quinn says Illinois can't afford to have lawmakers distracted from crucial issues by more talk of gambling expansion. Quinn says leaders at the state Capitol sometimes "get distracted by shiny objects."