Taxpayers funding $52.8M Route 9 upgrade; residents raise safety concerns | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois is set to receive $52.8 million in federal taxpayer funding to overhaul roughly 6 miles of Illinois Route 9, but a proposed sidewalk near Bloomington High School is drawing sharp opposition from nearby homeowners who say the project creates new safety risks and disrupts long-standing neighborhoods. The IDOT project, funded with […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Bills filed to create small business accounts | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Democratic state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, and Republican state Rep Amy Elik, R-Alton, have filed legislation to create small business asset purchase accounts. HB 4874 and SB 3614 allow small businesses to receive income tax deductions of 50% in the tax year they contribute funds to the account or withdraw funds. […]
Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to $27 per hour in 2032, but an employment policy researcher says the move could trigger drastic inflation. House Bill 5367 and Senate Bill 3821 provide for incremental increases, starting on July 1st of this year. Citing research by economists and Bureau […]
WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction | Illinois
(The Center Square) – One year after a federal jury convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and use of a facility to promote unlawful activity, a defense attorney who worked on the case says public corruption trials are worth the taxpayer expense. After a trial lasting more than four […]
Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans are calling on Democrats to oppose new tax proposals. State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, said House Bill 4459 would impose fees on backyard campfires, and House Bill 5112 would impose taxes on retail carryout bags. “By the way Mr. Severin, those s’mores items you just bought at the […]
Chicago aldermen call out transportation dept. over Complete Streets, bike lanes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A Chicago alderman says the city’s Complete Streets program is a disaster that’s costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. According to the Chicago Department of Transportation, the city had 30% fewer traffic fatalities in 2024 than in 2021. CDOT Assistant Commissioner Dave Smith discussed Complete Streets capital investments before the […]
Pritzker announces bond expansion, says progress has been made with Bears | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says progress has been made in conversations with the Chicago Bears. Pritzker announced the expansion of sales tax and revenue bonds for capital projects at a press conference in Belleville on Monday. The governor said STAR bonds were not written for the Bears. “This can be used by […]
Illinois eyes smarter park funding: handicap accessibility gets priority | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are proposing a change to the way state parks receive funding, one that could give taxpayers more bang for their buck, according to the bill’s sponsor. Senate Bill 3016, sponsored by state Sen. Don Dewitte, R-St. Charles, would amend the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act to prioritize grants […]
Nation’s first primary states to begin early voting | National
(The Center Square) – Early voting has begun or is about to begin in states with the earliest 2026 midterm election primaries. Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi will hold some of the country’s first primaries with March election dates already set. Each state has different regulations for who can vote in which primaries. […]
Gas prices projected to rise if Pritzker fails to act on E10 waiver | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gas prices have dropped across the country in recent months, but the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association is warning that higher prices may be on the way in the Land of Lincoln. Illinois and five other Midwestern states opted out of a federal waiver regarding the weight of E10 gasoline, hoping […]