News

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
A Taxpayer Subsidized Birthday Party, Next Week’s Budget Address and Why I Care So Much About Fixing DCFS

I know it’s hard to wrap one’s head around the idea of a $50 billion budget or $140 billion of unfunded pension liabilities. But here’s something I think most of…


Tuesday, January 23, 2024
New Bills for the Spring Session, More DCFS and Dial-a-Ride Info

Back at It, Sort Of  Last week we were back in Springfield for the first week of the Spring legislative session. We got the same amount of work done as…


Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The Ongoing Migrant Crisis, New Laws and Old Corruption, and Museum Pass is Now Available

Happy New Year: 2024’s First Legislative Update! Good Morning and Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a couple of quiet weeks with your loved ones. In this report, I…


Monday, November 20, 2023
The Governor Seems to Have Forgotten Who He Represents 

With the holidays coming up, I had intended for last week’s Reick Report to be the final one for the year. However, this week we had a major announcement from the Governor…


Monday, November 13, 2023
Money Swears, Honoring Veterans and Accentuating the Positive 

Turns Out We Didn’t – Legislative Update:  Last week’s newsletter was titled: “Second Week of Veto Session, Will We Get More Done Than Last Week (Which Was Nothing)?” As it…


Friday, November 3, 2023
Second Week of Veto Session, Will We Get More Done Than Last Week (Which Was Nothing) 

Legislative Update:  Last week the House met in Springfield for two days and is set to return next week for the final week of Veto Session, where a number of…


Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Fall Veto Session Preview and DCFS Fails Us Once Again 

Legislative Update:  The Illinois House will convene this afternoon in Springfield for the first day of the scheduled Fall Veto session. As the name implies, this is supposed to be…


Friday, October 13, 2023
Big changes on the way as veto session approaches

Legislative Update:  The past week has been filled with horrific images and stories coming out of the unprovoked attack on Israel. Those who are now calling for de-escalation and proportionality…


Friday, September 29, 2023
Pritzker’s Failure at DCFS. He’s Got a Lot to Answer For.

Legislative Update: While there are several big issues that came up this week, like the effective date of the so-called “Safe-T Act”, Speaker Welch’s capitulation on allowing legislative staff to…


Thursday, September 7, 2023
Pensions, DCFS Fraud, CTU Hypocrisy, and It’s Apple Orchard Time!

Legislative Update: Thanks to those who participated in our flu vaccine event this week. It may still feel like Summer but flu season will be here before we know it….