press

Gov. Pritzker Announces Record-Breaking Hotel Revenues in FY23 and Unprecedented Growth in Illinois Tourism

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), elected officials, and industry leaders to announce that Illinois reached its highest-ever hotel revenue figures in FY23 ($308 million) – surpassing the pre-pandemic record in FY19. Additionally, Illinois welcomed 111 million visitors who spent $44 billion in 2022 – representing […]
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Gov. Pritzker Signs State Representative Margaret Croke’s Legislation to Strengthen and Expand Cyberbullying Statute Into Law

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed State Representative Margaret Croke’s legislation to strengthen and expand Illinois’ cyberbullying statute into law. The legislation, which passed out of the General Assembly during the spring session with strong bipartisan support, updates existing cyberbullying statute to expand the definition of bullying to add additional protected characteristics, create new […]
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Croke’s Legislation to Incentivize Diversity in Angel Investments Passes IL House

Springfield, IL. – Today, State Representative Margaret Croke’s legislation to encourage investments in new business ventures owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and downstate residents passed the Illinois House as part of the omnibus revenue package. The legislation increases the Angel Tax Credit by $5 million to a total of $15 million for the program. The […]
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Croke Backs Budget Plan Focused on Schools, Public Safety, and Reproductive Freedoms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Focused on building a stronger Illinois that offers more opportunity for everyone, state Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, supported a fiscally and socially responsible state budget plan Saturday that prioritizes investment for classrooms, public safety efforts and critically- needed health care. “This balanced budget protects core essential services residents depend on, and is a […]
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State Representative Margaret Croke’s Legislation Removing Referral Requirements For Patients with HMO Plans Passes Senate, Heads to Governor’s Desk

SPRINGFIELD, IL. – Today, State Representative Margaret Croke’s legislation removing referral requirements for patients enrolled in HMO insurance plans passed the Senate, and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature. House Bill 1186 allows Illinois patients with HMO health care plans to see in-network specialists without first obtaining a referral from their primary care […]
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State Representative Margaret Croke’s Legislation To Strengthen and Expand Cyberbullying Statute Passes Illinois Senate with Bipartisan Support, Heads to Governor Pritzker for Signature

Springfield, IL. – Yesterday, State Representative Margaret Croke’s legislation to strengthen and expand Illinois’ cyberbullying statute passed the Illinois Senate by a vote of 50-5. After passing the Illinois House with bipartisan support in March, the bill now heads to Governor Pritzker to be signed into law. The legislation updates Illinois’ existing cyberbullying statute, which […]
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Gov. Pritzker Awards $22.5 Million to Boost Tourism, Support Illinois Festivals and Attractions

Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined legislators and leaders in the tourism industry to award $22.5 million in grant funding for 89 projects across Illinois through the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program. Designed to support local festivals and attractions and drive tourism across the state, Illinois increased […]
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State Representative Margaret Croke’s Legislation to Expand and Strengthen Cyberbullying Statute Passes Illinois House with Bipartisan Support

Springfield, IL – Today, State Representative Margaret Croke’s legislation to expand and strengthen the state’s existing cyberbullying statute passed the Illinois House with bipartisan support. The bill builds upon the existing statute last updated in 2012 to expand the definition of bullying to add additional protected characteristics and creates new requirements for the Illinois State […]
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Croke Responds to Governor’s Address, Encourages Greater Investment in Affordable Child Care and Education

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, issued the following statement Wednesday after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual State of the State and Budget Address: “The budget we develop must reflect our values as a state, and that starts by prioritizing investment in affordable child care and investing in our education system. If we want every […]
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