Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer says a controversial proposal to change how police records are handled under the state’s public records law could help agencies manage growing workloads – while still maintaining transparency. State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Homer Glen, said House Bill 5733 would ease the burden on police departments […]
Firefighter age bill stalled despite union backing | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A proposed Illinois bill aimed at addressing firefighter shortages by lowering the minimum hiring age has stalled in the legislature after failing to be called before a key deadline. State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, is behind House Bill 1098, which would amend the state’s municipal code and Fire Protection District Act to […]
Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A proposal aimed at helping local governments manage retiree health care costs is drawing differing views from Illinois lawmakers over how taxpayer dollars should be used. Senate Bill 4175 would allow municipalities to create Other Post-Employment Benefits trusts, which are designed to fund retiree fringe benefits such as health care. Supporters say […]
Millionaire’s tax proposal draws mixed reviews as deadline approaches | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Supporters of a 3% surcharge on income more than $1 million have less than a month to move a resolution through the General Assembly in time to get the proposal before voters in November. House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 26 calls for a binding referendum to be placed on the general […]
Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of ‘burdensome’ mandates | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a new report on energy affordability, burdensome mandates are making Illinois more expensive. The American Legislative Exchange Council’s Energy Affordability Report ranks Illinois 31st out of 50 states. Lora Current, ALEC’s senior manager of the Energy, Environment & Agriculture Task Force, says Illinois has severe policies that will increase […]
Illini Final Four trip expected to benefit University of Illinois, state of Indiana | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A University of Illinois professor says the economic benefit of the school’s mens basketball team reaching the NCAA Final Four will easily outweigh the potential costs. The Fighting Illini are scheduled to play Connecticut in Indianapolis on Saturday. Jason Satchell, teaching assistant professor of finance at U of I, said the […]
Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a study by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, property taxes in the county increased at twice the rate of inflation and well above the rate of wage growth from 1995 to 2024. The report says local officials took advantage of loopholes in a state law designed to limit tax […]
GOP: Vandalism fueled by toxic rhetoric | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The chair of the Illinois Republican Party is speaking out after a “disturbing act of vandalism” targeting a suburban GOP office, calling it a “symptom of escalating political hostility.” Kathy Salvi condemned the incident at the Wheeling Township Republican headquarters in Arlington Heights, where two elderly suspects allegedly defaced the property with […]
Illinois GOP senators urge action on business, worker tax relief | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Three Illinois Senate Republicans called for passing a legislation package they say would bring relief to small businesses and their employees across the state. Senators said the bills aim to do so while also considering current state budget issues. In a news conference, State Sens. Seth Lewis, R-Carol Stream, Dave Syverson, […]
Illinois ride-share union bill pushed through amid disagreement on new fee | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois bill allowing thousands of ride-share drivers to unionize made some motion in an Illinois House committee Thursday, despite opposition from some stakeholders. The bill sets a structure for how drivers would begin to unionize and negotiate with industry leaders. House Bill 4743 would allow the more than 100,000 contract […]