Study: Illinois places last in the country for economic health | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new study paints a bleak picture of the economic health of Illinois. The personal finance website WalletHub has released its findings of the best and worst state economies. Researcher Chip Lugo said Wallethub used three economic categories including economic activity, economic health and innovation potential. “Then we applied 28 relevant […]
Central Illinois struggles with massage parlor crackdown amid trafficking concerns | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Municipalities like Peoria, Springfield and Decatur have passed stricter massage licensing ordinances amid concerns over human trafficking. State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, a law enforcement officer, noted that while ordinances can help, most investigations begin with tips or complaints, not routine licensing checks. “We used to have quite a few […]
ICE says Chicago arrests had final orders of removal; Illinois officials cry foul | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Despite criticism from state and local politicians about immigrant detentions in Chicago, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say people detained Wednesday outside a Homeland Security office on the city’s Near South Side had final orders of removal by a judge. An ICE spokesperson provided The Center Square with a statement […]
As utility bills climb, IL lawmakers fail to address what some call a crisis | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Electricity bills for Illinoisans are expected to shoot up this summer as some lawmakers are saying the state is headed for an energy cost crisis. Rates for electricity are usually higher during the summer months. This year, they will be even higher due to reduced capacity for power generation. Midcontinent Independent System […]
Illinois’ swipe fee law put on hold while being challenged in court | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Banking groups are applauding the news that Illinois’ controversial Interchange Fee Prohibition Act is being placed on the back burner for a year. The law would prohibit interchange fees from being charged on portions of credit and debit card transactions that include taxes and gratuities. The law is currently being challenged in […]
Illinois bill could expose businesses to claims involving out-of-state events | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation from the state Senate president that could expose businesses to lawsuits from around the country. The Illinois House approved Senate Bill 328 in the final hours of the legislative session over the weekend. SB 328 contains language from an amended SB 26, which initially […]
WATCH: Illinois taxpayers to pay $1 billion more for approved $55B budget | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers are on the hook for over a billion dollars of tax and collection increases to fund a $55 billion budget, the most expensive spending plan in state history. Before approving the plan in the House, state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, said the budget is compassionate and fiscally and socially […]
WATCH: IL bill granting FOID board immunity, ‘due process’ for revocations, passes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinoisans who are either denied a Firearm Owners ID Card or had their FOID card revoked could have a process to get their rights back with a measure that cleared the General Assembly Saturday. House Bill 850 was approved out of the Illinois House earlier in the week. On the last […]
Prosecutors seek 12.5 year sentence, $1.5 million fine for ex-Speaker Madigan | Illinois
(The Center Square) – U.S. government attorneys are asking a federal judge to give former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan a 12.5-year prison sentence. In a memorandum sent to Judge John Robert Blakey Friday, prosecutors also asked that Madigan, D-Chicago, pay a fine of $1.5 million for his crimes. The longtime speaker and Democratic Party […]
WATCH: Some question Pritzker’s tax ‘veto’ pledge, say Trump should cut funding | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers still don’t know how much of their money will be spent by the state of Illinois next fiscal year or whether they’ll be charged higher taxes to pay for it. Saturday is the deadline for legislators to approve the annual spending plan that begins July 1. Wednesday, Gov. J.B. […]