WATCH: Calls persist to repeal Illinois’ Interchange Fee Prohibition Act | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The debate continues over a controversial credit and debit card law set to go into effect in Illinois in July. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act prohibits a credit card holder’s bank from charging or receiving interchange fees on portions of transactions, including taxes and gratuities. Randy Hultgren, president of the Illinois Bankers […]
Illinois House passes numerous bills, including rent controls and mascot measures | Illinois
(The Center Square) – It was a busy day for the Illinois House of Representatives Tuesday with a slew of bills passing through the chamber. One measure, House Bill 3564, prohibits a landlord from imposing a move-in fee for renters. It also limits fees for the late payment of rent to a one-time $15 fee for […]
WATCH: Illinois House passes bill allowing abortion pill even if deemed unsafe by FDA | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois House has passed a bill which would allow medical providers in the state to continue prescribing abortion pills, even if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finds them to be unsafe. Members voted Monday 67 to 39 in favor of state Rep. Dagmara Avelar’s House Bill 3637. State Rep. […]
Illinois bill would ban campaign donations by government-regulated utilities | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois House bill would prevent public utilities from making campaign contributions to political candidates if it becomes law. State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid’s, D-Bridgeview, measure has the support of the Citizens Utility Board and its director of Governmental Affairs, Bryan McDaniel. “This would make it so that utilities, water, gas, sewer, […]
IL property tax bill called bandage avoiding ‘bigger problem’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker calls his bill a “Band-Aid,” and urges Democrats to look at the “bigger problem” when it comes to property tax relief. Senate Bill 2086 seeks to raise the income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption to $75,000 for taxable year 2025. State Sen. Chris Balkema, […]
Illinois quick hits: DCFS worked fired; naturalization ceremony Tuesday | Illinois
DCFS worked fired An attorney for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was fired after allegedly working for a bank on state time. A report by the Office of Executive Inspector General said that Deborah Riley disclosed to the state that she was a part-time employee at a bank. An investigation showed that […]
WATCH: Bill allowing recall of county officials advances in IL Senate committee | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A measure that could allow for the recall of countywide elected officials in Illinois outside of Cook County is advancing. State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, said local voters wanted to recall the sheriff after the police-involved shooting of Sonya Massey in Springfield last year, but the Sangamon County Board sought clarity […]
WATCH: Union-backed bill could double-punish IL businesses not in compliance | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Union leaders support an Illinois Senate bill they say would protect workers’ rights and safety standards, but opponents say it could lead to unfair penalties for business owners. State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, said the intent of Senate Bill 1976 is to ensure that Illinois workers have the same rights they […]
Teachers union claims tentative agreement with Chicago Public Schools | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union announced Monday evening that it has reached a “Historic Tentative Agreement” with the city’s public school system. Union officials said in social media posts that the contract would be “a major leap forward in transforming Chicago Public Schools.” Negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement between CPS […]
Report: Lawyers PAC funnels over $1 million to Illinois Democrats | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new report reveals how a trial lawyer’s political action committee has spent more than $1 million exclusively on Democratic candidates and committees since Election Day 2022. The report is called “Follow the Money: How Illinois Trial Lawyers Fuel a Lawsuit-Friendly Legislature” and was compiled by the group Illinois Citizens Against Lawsuit […]