Midwest

Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to hear Gov. Evers' suit against GOP Legislature for blocking 'basic functions'

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2024

Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to hear Gov. Evers' suit against GOP Legislature for blocking 'basic functions'

The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear a lawsuit by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers against the Republican-controlled state Legislature.
Evers’ suit claims lawmakers are obstructing basic functions of the state government.
The court’s stark ideological divide was apparent in its decision, where its four liberal justices sided with Evers, and its three-justice conservative minority sided against him.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ lawsuit against the Republican-controlled Legislature arguing that it is obstructing basic government functions.

The court’s liberal majority agreed to hear the case, with the three conservative justices dissenting. It set oral arguments for April 17.

The court only agreed to immediately hear one of the three issues Evers brought forward in the complaint. That issue relates to the Legislature’s Republican-controlled budget committee blocking funding for state conservation programs.

WISCONSIN CONSULTANTS LABEL GOP’S REDISTRICTING MAP PROPOSALS AS GERRYMANDERS

Evers had also challenged a committee made up of legislative leaders not approving pay raises for University of Wisconsin employees. But after the lawsuit was filed, the panel did approve the raises. Evers had also challenged a legislative committee blocking updates to the state’s commercial building standards and ethics standards for licensed professionals.

The court said it was keeping both of those issues on hold pending a future order.

Liberal justices Janet Protasiewicz, Rebecca Dallet, Jill Karofsky and Ann Walsh Bradley agreed to take the case. Conservative Chief Justice Annette Ziegler and justices Brian Hagedorn and Rebecca Bradley dissented.

Rebecca Bradley, in her dissent, accused the majority of “needlessly engulfing this court in the morass of politics.”

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 23, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

“By accepting only one of the issues raised by the Governor and holding the other two issues in abeyance, the majority refashions this court as the Governor’s avenue for imposing policy changes without the consent of the governed,” she wrote. “When the majority’s political allies say jump, the new majority responds: ‘How high?’ “

Hagedorn, who dissented separately, said the case was consequential and questioned taking it directly rather than have facts established through proceedings in lower courts first.

“A decision in this case could occasion a historic shift — both in the operation of state government, and in how this court interprets the boundary lines between the branches of government,” Hagedorn wrote. “Thoughtful lower court decisions usually improve the clarity of our work by framing the arguments and telling the parties what worked and what didn’t.”

Evers and the Republican legislative leaders Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu did not return messages seeking comment.

Evers argued in the lawsuit that committees controlled by a few Republican lawmakers are being used by the Legislature to “reach far beyond its proper zone of constitutional lawmaking authority.”

Evers cites the Legislature’s budget-writing committee’s rejection of dozens of conservation projects selected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Republicans have long been critics of the program, which protects land from development.

LeMahieu dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous at the time it was filed, saying in a statement that Evers was “working to diminish the voice of Wisconsinites by limiting the authority of the legislature and unduly strengthening his own administration.”

Evers and the GOP-controlled Legislature have been at odds from the moment Evers was elected in November 2018. He has issued more vetoes than any other Wisconsin governor, including blocking numerous bills changing how elections would be run in the key presidential battleground state.

The Legislature convened a lame duck session just weeks before Evers took office to weaken the incoming governor’s powers. They have repeatedly rejected appointees Evers has made to boards and commissions, including firing a majority of the Natural Resources Board in October.

In another sign of their strained relationship, Evers has rarely met with Republican legislative leaders. Evers is in the second year of his second term.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to majority liberal control in August. In December, it struck down Republican-drawn legislative maps on a 4-3 decision. The Evers lawsuit is one of several high-profile cases filed by Democrats since the court’s majority changed

Read the full article from Here

Illinois

Arlington Heights Bears fans cheer as ‘Megaprojects’ bill passes Illinois House

Published

1 hour ago

April 23, 2026

Press Room

Arlington Heights Bears fans cheer as ‘Megaprojects’ bill passes Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — A big step for the Bears, but there’s still a long way to go for the team to commit to staying in Illinois.

The Illinois House passed a bill last night that could give tax breaks on a new stadium.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

With the Illinois House passed the so-called “mega-project” bill – now on its way to the Senate, most people ABC7 spoke with Thursday in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Chicago Bears will get to remain the pride and joy of Illinois.

“We’ve been working on this for a few years and this is the first sign that we’re going to get to a finish line here in Arlington Heights,” Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington said. “I think there’s a growing sense of optimism that there’s something that will be built.”

A lot of excitement in Arlington Heights following the passing of the “mega-project” bill.

“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Cheryl Kolasa, who lives in Arlington Heights, said. “We have been waiting for this and going to all kind of meetings and hopefully it’s coming.”

People who live in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Bears are one step closer toward moving to their village.

“You will not be able to get a ticket to the Bears game if they come to Arlington Heights for years because the support will be so phenomenal,” Gary Aspelian, who lives in Arlington Heights, said.

Still, the team said there’s more work to be done as far as infrastructure funding, saying in a statement, “We welcome the progress made on the House’s version of the mega project bill; however, additional amendments are necessary to make the Arlington Heights site feasible for our stadium project,”

Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington, said “All we’ve asked all along is to get an infrastructure in place that allows our residents, through our village board, to negotiate between the Bears. And this Bill provides us the framework for that.”

The Bears have owned the former home of the Arlington Race Track for more than three years now with plans to build a multibillion dollar stadium.

Under the mega-project bill, the Bears wouldn’t have to pay traditional property taxes.

Instead, they’d work out a deal with local leaders to make what’s called a “payment in lieu of taxes” or PILOT.

Then, by law, about half of that money would go back into property tax relief for homeowners.

“The only thing that would kind of be up in the air for me is the commute that affects my drive,” Bianca Garcia, who works in Arlington Heights, said. “I know some people are really excited so I’m like it would be really cool, the train is right there, and it’s hard getting in from Soldier Field.”

“Many, many residents are OK with it,” Kolasa said. “They’re on board with it. We’re excited. Some people you’re never gonna make them happy. They were like oh the traffic and the taxes and all that. I feel it’s only going to make it even better. Just bring people and money to the area.”

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office said this marks an important first step, saying, “Governor Pritzker has been clear and consistent for years that the Bears should remain in Illinois, and that any legislation needs to protect taxpayers.”

Arlington Heights released a statement saying they are encouraged and will continue working with the Bears and state legislators.

“I’m truly encouraged by yesterday’s progress and optimistic that we can maintain this momentum as the Bill moves through the legislative approval process,” said Mayor Jim Tinaglia. “Our belief that this property offers immense potential for the Chicago Bears, the region, and the State of Illinois, has never wavered. Now that the Bill passed the House, we’re one step closer to working towards a world class site concept that is a win for our community, the team, and the region as a whole.”

If Illinois lawmakers can’t come up with a deal the Bears like, Indiana lawmakers already passed their own legislation to entice the team across state lines, as well, which is still very much in play.

Source link

Indiana

99th Fire Department Instructors Conference draws 38,000 firefighters to Indy

Published

1 hour ago

April 23, 2026

Press Room

99th Fire Department Instructors Conference draws 38,000 firefighters to Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Thousands of firefighters from around the world are in downtown Indianapolis for one of the world’s largest fire and rescue training events.

The 99th Fire Department Instructors Conference started Monday and runs through Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.

This is the 32nd year the FDIC has been held in the Circle City, and over 38,000 firefighters are in town for the event.

The conference includes hands-on fire and EMS training scenarios, classroom sessions, workshops, guest speakers, and 900 exhibitors.

“We’re uniquely positioned where we do 138 hands-on training sessions. That means the students get on the buses, they go out to fire academies, they go out to structures through our network of 350+ instructors,” Chief David Rhodes, editor-in-chief of “Fire Engineering,” told News 8.

Rhodes says conventions like FDIC help take firefighters to the next level in training situations.

“They not only get to learn to do it, but they get to do it. Whether it’s going into a fire, whether it’s searching a building, or cutting someone out of a car.”

Click here to learn more about FDIC International.

Source link

Iowa

See where all 9 Iowa State women’s basketball transfers ended up

Published

1 hour ago

April 23, 2026

Press Room

See where all 9 Iowa State women’s basketball transfers ended up

The Iowa State women’s basketball roster looks a whole lot different than it did two months ago.

Since the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, nine players have decided to leave Ames and transfer to a new school. That included some of the Cyclones’ biggest stars like Audi Crooks, Addy Brown and Jada Williams.

As of April 23, all nine of the former Cyclones have found new homes. Scroll below to see where each of them will play during the 2026-27 season.