NFIB: Businesses would consider leaving if IL imposes non-electric vehicle ban | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Pollution Control Board is considering a proposal to ban most new non-electric vehicle sales in the state by 2035. Environmental groups have proposed adopting some of California’s vehicle emissions standards, which include phasing out the sale of new gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and a complete ban on the sale […]
Illinois quick hits: Man charged with immigration fraud; tax scam warning | Illinois
Man charged with immigration fraud A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly providing false and fraudulent information to U.S. authorities to obtain immigration benefits for his foreign national clients. Sosa Cardona operated Delta Global Solutions, which assisted individuals in applying for asylum, immigrant visas and other immigration benefits. According […]
CPS per student spending soars while private school excels on thin budget | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Taxpayers are spending tens of thousands of dollars per student at public high schools in Chicago, and at two schools, the number is more than $100,000 per student. Leo Catholic High School on the city’s South Side, meanwhile, has achieved 100% graduation rates for over a decade at a fraction of […]
Republican lawmakers introduce package of bills to address the fentanyl crisis | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Some Republican lawmakers want to go after those who deal fentanyl in Illinois. Saying it is time to address the fentanyl crisis, GOP lawmakers, including state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, introduced a package of bills that includes increasing penalties for distributing and selling the drug, and reclassifying fentanyl overdose deaths to […]
Illinois food assistance higher than pre-pandemic levels | Illinois
(The Center Square) – More Illinoisans are getting taxpayer subsidized food assistance now than from before the pandemic. State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, is calling on lawmakers to do more to aid struggling state residents after the number of individuals relying on food assistance sharply jumped over the past five years. Data composed by […]
Judge blocks freeze on federal funding | National
(The Center Square) – A federal judge Thursday blocked the Trump administration from freezing up to $3 trillion in funding for federal agency grants, loans and other financial assistance. Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a preliminary injunction that was requested by attorneys general for […]
WATCH: Chicago mayor defends sanctuary policies at Congressional hearing | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago testified during a congressional hearing Wednesday that his city is safer because of its Welcoming City ordinance. “Any actions that amplify fears of deportations make Chicago more dangerous. Those fears cause witnesses and victims to avoid cooperating with police,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Johnson joined mayors from […]
WATCH: Early childhood agency proposes budget, questioned about ‘White Fragility’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can expect to spend almost $4 billion on early childhood programs throughout the state over the next two years. The Department of Early Childhood is a new executive agency created last year dedicated to early childhood spending. The new agency will eventually take over the early childhood block grant […]
WATCH: Illinois considering allowing community colleges to offer 4-year degrees | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is backing new legislation that would allow community colleges in Illinois to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in high demand fields. Officials point to a recent survey that revealed that 75% of Illinois community college students would pursue a bachelor’s degree if they could complete it at their current […]
Chicagoans to pay high price for government borrowing | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Taxpayers can expect to pay more than twice the stated amount for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s recently-approved bond issue. After much discussion, a majority of city aldermen voted Wednesday in favor of the mayor’s $830 million borrowing plan for capital projects. Johnson said the city council’s approval of the general obligation debt […]