Framework of new Bears, megaprojects legislation announced | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The sponsor of a new plan to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois says his proposal will prevent local taxing bodies from getting stadium development money off the backs of taxpayers. State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, is drafting a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes bill he hopes to file by the end of this week […]
Senator says disability service workers’ raise falls short | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator says wages for direct support professionals who provide services for people with developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses lag behind where they were when Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office. Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, asked Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, if anything was added to the […]
Sorensen drug-pricing bill draws criticism from former FDA official | Illinois
(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois, is backing legislation he says would lower prescription drug costs by targeting the use of Food and Drug Administration citizen petitions that can delay generic drug competition. But critics argue the proposal could undermine an important regulatory process and discourage investment in new medicines. Sorensen recently […]
Lawmaker blasts reports of ‘equitable assessments’ at medical school | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Bill Hauter, a Republican physician and graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, sharply criticized reports that the school is promoting “equitable assessments” in medical education. He called the approach “outrageous,” “unconstitutional,” and dangerous to the medical profession. The comments came in response to a Campus […]
Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears are moving forward with plans to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana. Bears Chairman George McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren said Friday that the team’s board of directors voted on Thursday to advance their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be […]
Questions loom after data center legislation stalls | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he thinks state lawmakers will eventually pass data center regulations, but questions remain over why legislation stalled this spring. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition said the state’s House and Senate leadership is woefully out of touch for continuing data center tax breaks and failing to […]
Nearly 100,000 Illinois Uber, Lyft drivers may soon be able to unionize | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A proposal that would allow many Uber and Lyft drivers to form a sector-wide union and engage in collective bargaining passed the Illinois’ legislature last weekend. Illinois is one of only three states to pass a law that allows such contract workers in on labor organizing. State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, […]
Swipe fee battle continues after delay, court ruling | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois is still waiting to benefit from a law promised to generate hundreds of millions of dollars by restricting credit and debit card swipe fees. U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Kendall ruled that a federal order issued in April effectively blocks the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act that was signed into […]
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but not before the legislation was adjusted due to potential issues with the state’s DUI laws. During the final weekend of spring session, legislators in both the state Senate and House approved the measure setting […]
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban Chicago park district official may have used public resources to fund a helicopter prom photo shoot for her daughter. Brian Costin, deputy state director for Americans for Prosperity Illinois, said the allegations involving Quintina Brown […]