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Thursday, April 18, 2024

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PNS Daily Newscast - April 18, 2024
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A new study shows health disparities cost Texas billions of dollars; Senate rejects impeachment articles against Mayorkas, ending trial against Cabinet secretary; Iowa cuts historical rural school groups.

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2024Talks - April 19, 2024
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Civil Rights activists say a court ruling could end the right to protest in three southern states, a federal judge lets January 6th lawsuits proceed against former President Trump and police arrest dozens at a Columbia University Gaza protest.

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The Yonder Report - April 18, 2024

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Rural Wyoming needs more vocational teachers to sustain its workforce pipeline, Ohio environmental advocates fear harm from a proposal to open 40-thousand forest acres to fracking and rural communities build bike trail systems to promote nature, boost the economy.

IL: Campaign Finance Reform/Money in Pol

Good-government reformers want Illinois to follow the example of states that have used citizen initiatives to establish independent commissions for redistricting in recent years. (bizoo_n/Adobe Stock)
Good-Government Groups Wary of Citizen-Initiative Proposal

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Republican lawmakers will propose a series of constitutional amendments they say would give residents a more direct voice in …

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Illinois ranks second in the nation when it comes to money spent in state legislative races. (ustreasury.gov)
Following the Money in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Exactly how much money did candidates spend during the November general election? Recent data from the National Institute on …

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Critics of superdelegates say the system does not accurately represent how Illinois voters feel about the presidential candidates. (iStockphoto)
IL Delegate: Superdelegate System Fails Voters

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia today the party took a small step that could limit the role of …

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Illinois' Public Access Bureau worked through about 4,770 requests over the state's Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act laws. (iStockphoto)
Sunshine Week: Illinois' Information Laws at Work

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It's Sunshine Week, when civic groups focus on the need for open government and celebrate the Freedom of Information laws…

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A story published this week on millionaire Gov. Bruce Rauner highlights his unprecedented self-funded campaign, prompting some to call for campaign-finance reforms. Credit: Illinois.gov
Reformers: It's Time to Rework Illinois' Campaign Spending Rules

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Never have so few people given so much campaign money in the modern history of Illinois politics. That's the big takeaway of a …

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PHOTO: Campaign money played a bigger role in 2014 than in any midterm in history. But that's not stopping civic and community groups from trying to keep elections clean. Image credit: jdurham/Morguefile.
Keeping Elections Clean: The Battle Continues

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The corrupting influence of money in politics is getting worse, according to recent reports by Clean Slate Now and the Center …

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PHOTO: Five years after the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, some say outside money is pouring into political campaigns in Illinois and other states. Photo credit: Dodgerton Skillhause/morguefile.
The Influence of Outside Money in Illinois Elections

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It's been five years since the Supreme Court's decision in the "Citizens United" case paved the way for unlimited corporate …

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PHOTO: A recent analysis examines the impact of last minute campaign spending by special interest groups on judicial elections. Photo credit:M. Connors/Morguefile.
Justice for Sale? Analysis of Outside Spending in State Supreme Court Races

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – According to a recent analysis, Illinois is among a handful of states that's seen a surge of last minute outside spending …

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PHOTO: The U.S.Senate is expected to vote today on a proposed constitutional amendment that would help take big money out of politics. Photo credit: Scrumshus/wikimedia.
"Historic" Vote on Campaign Finance Reform Today

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Advocates for campaign finance reform say the U.S. Senate is expected to make an historic vote today on Senate Joint Resolution 19…

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PHOTO: Illinois Move to Amend says a constitutional amendment proposed to overturn the results of the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision isn't broad enough to do the job. Photo credit: Keven/Rossell/morguefile.
IL Group: Campaign Spending Amendment Too "Watered Down"

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A vote is expected in Washington Thursday on a constitutional amendment giving Congress and the states control of political …

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Among other things, Justice Stephens is advocating for campaign spending reform, after the 2010
A Call for Six Constitutional Amendments -- No Joke!

CHICAGO - Since retiring from the bench in 2010, former Supreme Court Justice and Illinois native son John Paul Stevens has not been idle. His new …

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PHOTO: Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., is the lead sponsor of the
Government "By the People" Makes a Comeback in Congress

WASHINGTON - Backed by government reform groups and a growing list of other organizations, 128 members of the House of Representatives last week …

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