Firearm Deer Permit Applications:  Resident and non-resident deer hunters can apply for the second lottery drawing for 2015 Illinois Firearm Deer and Muzzleloader-only Deer permits.  The deadline to apply for the second lottery is June 30.  Illinois resident hunters who applied in the first lottery for firearm and muzzleloader permits can check their permit status online on the IDNR website.

More information on deer hunting.

Apply Now for Non-Resident Archery Deer Permits:  The online lottery application period is open through June 30 for Non-Resident Illinois Archery Combination Deer permits for the 2015-16 deer season.  A link for the online application is available on the IDNR website.

Non-residents may apply for one combination archery permit per season.  The upcoming Illinois Archery Deer season is Oct. 1, 2015 - Jan. 17, 2016 (except closed in firearm deer counties on Nov. 20-22 and Dec. 3-6, 2015).

Online Dove Permits:  Online applications will be accepted from resident Illinois hunters from June 10-July 1 for the first lottery for Illinois Free Dove Hunting Permits for hunting at select state sites.  Applications may be submitted for the second lottery by resident hunters who were unsuccessful in the first lottery, residents who did not apply in the first lottery, and non-resident hunters for the second lottery drawing from July 2-15.  After the second lottery permit application deadline on July 15, hunters may apply for remaining free dove permits on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8 a.m. on July 29-Aug. 25.  For more information on dove hunting permit areas and free dove permits, check the IDNR website.

Illinois Boat Owners Reminded to Check Registration:  The IDNR reminds boat owners in Illinois to check their current three-year boat registration/decal and renew their registration if it expires on June 30, 2015.  Renewing watercraft registration can be done online through the IDNR website or by phone by calling 1-866-867-3542.  To renew registration, have available the watercraft’s Illinois registration number, the first six characters of the watercraft’s hull ID number, the first three letters of the registered owner’s last name, and a credit card. For details on Illinois watercraft registration requirements and three-year boat registration fees, check the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/boating.

Read more in Chicago Now.

The College of DuPage's top two finance officials were put on administrative leave Tuesday afternoon amid the release of an internal audit that blasted the school's investment policies.

The scathing review – which college officials now say was buried for months -- found multiple instances in which the college violated its own investment policies. One decision cost the college nearly $2 million in a single, high-profile fund, according to the audit.

In light of the report, college treasurer Thomas Glaser and controller Lynn Sapyta were placed on paid leave Tuesday while the financial investigation continues. The school's board of trustees plans to consider hiring a financial services firm at its meeting later this week. The Chicago Tribune has the story.

Placing telemarketing calls to wireless phones is - and always has been - illegal in most cases.

Why the confusion about telemarketing to wireless phones?

Consumers report receiving emails saying they'll soon begin receive telemarketing calls on their wireless phones. The confusion seems to stem from discussions in the wireless phone industry about establishing a wireless 411 phone directory, much like your traditional (wired) 411 phone directory. A number of email campaigns seem to suggest that if your wireless telephone number is listed in a wireless 411 directory, it will be available to telemarketers, and you will start to receive sales calls. In addition, some of these email campaigns suggest that there is a separate do-not-call "cell phone registry," which you must call to have your wireless phone number covered by the do-not-call rules. This information is inaccurate.

 Budget Inaction  

·       While Democrats play budget games, Rauner Administration initiates steps to deal with Madigan-Cullerton deficit.  House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their caucuses passed a budget for the 2016 fiscal year beginning July 1 that is nearly $4 billion in the hole.

This latest broken Madigan-Cullerton budget comes on the heels of a Fiscal Year 2015 Madigan-Cullerton budget that was more than $1.5 billion out-of-balance when it was passed. Governor Rauner and House Republicans worked diligently to eliminate the Democrats’ $1.5 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, and the State is now projected to end the year with a balanced budget.

House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their caucuses passed a budget for the 2016 fiscal year beginning July 1 that is nearly $4 billion in the hole.

This latest broken Madigan-Cullerton budget comes on the heels of a Fiscal Year 2015 Madigan-Cullerton budget that was more than $1.5 billion out-of-balance when it was passed.

Since taking office, Governor Rauner has worked diligently to eliminate the inherited $1.5 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, and the state is now projected to end the year with a balanced budget.

Following an extensive selection process the Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) Board of Directors announced today the selection of U.S. Navy veteran Kenneth S. Barber as the first Executive Director.  Barber will report for duty today and assumes day-to-day operational leadership of the IJF, which is a statewide, public-private network of military and veteran serving organizations that collaborate in person and online to help service members, veterans, and their families navigate the “sea of goodwill.”

“We are delighted to have Ken Barber stepping up to the IJF Executive Director position,” said Tom Miller Chair, IJF Board of Directors.  “While we had an impressive field of candidates to choose from, Ken is an excellent selection.  As a combat veteran with experience in corporate, non-profit, entrepreneurial, civic, and academic settings, his wide range of experience, plus proven leadership make him a great choice.  We are looking forward to him helping to make IJF even better through engaging and supporting even more of Illinois military personnel, veterans, and their families.”

All components of the state's budget have been passed by both the House and Senate but are held in their respective chambers on a "Motion to Recorder." Until the motion is tabled or withdrawn, the budget remains tied up indefinitely.

Yesterday, the Speaker of the House sent members of the House of Representatives home with a call for them to return on Thursday for an undetermined reason. It is the hope of the House Republicans that returning to Springfield on Thursday holds an opportunity to begin working again towards reform while simultaneously tackling our budget shortfall.

Here is House Republican Leader Jim Durkin following Sunday's adjournment: