By JERRY NOWICKI and PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois Two bills that would add the risks of e-cigarette use and sexting to public school curriculum will head to the full Illinois House of Representatives after unanimously passing a committee Wednesday, Feb. 19 The House education curriculum committee heard testimony about […]
State of Illinois
Pritzker paints two budget pictures: One with graduated tax, one without
By JERRY NOWICKI and PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker has tied his second-year state budget proposal to the unfinished marquee policy initiative of his first year – a constitutional amendment that allows the state to impose higher income tax rates on higher income earners. […]
Municipal Gas Tax Bill proposed
Illinois Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-18th District) has proposed a new gas tax bill. Senate Bill 2978 seeks to amend the Illinois Municipal Code to provide that municipalities may impose a motor fuel tax on top of the 38-cent state tax (19-cents previously) that was imposed in July 2019. Cunningham’s proposal […]
Pritzer annouces first round of matching grants for broadband expansion
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer announced that the state is releasing $50 million in funding for the first round of matching grants of Connect Illinois, the state’s $420 million statewide broadband expansion. “We’re beginning to deliver on an ambitious four-year plan to deliver broadband to homes, businesses and community institutions like […]
Illinois to require student to file FAFSA prior to graduation
BY DANI TIETZ dani@sjodaily.com Illinois high school graduates in the class of 2021 and beyond will be required to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or an alternative state form created by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) as a part of their requirements to be eligible for their […]
New Illinois Law will allow students to miss school to vote
BY DANI TIETZ dani@sjodaily.com Beginning June 1, 2020, high school students of voting age will be allowed to be excused from school for two hours to vote in primary, general and special elections or any election in which propositions are submitted to a popular vote. Students can be excused to […]
Village of St. Joseph to look at liquor license to broaden video gaming establishments
BY DANI TIETZ dani@mahometnews.com The Village of St. Joseph Board of Trustees will take action on amending the existing liquor license to allow for a Package/Pour License which would allow the opportunity for additional business owners to pursue a video gaming license. In Feb. 2012, Village Trustees passed an ordinance […]
Bennett’s bill provides new protections for Mahomet Aquifer
BY DANI TIETZ dani@sjodaily.com New protections for the Mahomet Aquifer went into effect on Jan. 1. Senate Bill 2027, proposed by Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett, directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to prioritize landfills, especially those that have been unregulated or under-regulated, that sit above the Mahomet Aquifer […]
Stiffer penalties for Scott’s Law violations in 2020
An increase in Scott’s Laws violations in 2019 has led to stronger penalties for 2020. Named after Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed by an intoxicated driver while assisting at a crash scene, Scott’s Law requires drivers to move over one lane or slow down for any […]
New laws Illinois business owners need to know in 2020
Business owners throughout Illinois will have to comply with new laws and regulations in 2020. Employers throughout the state will begin the minimum wage increase to $15 an hour by 2025 with two minimum wage increases this year. Public Act 101-0001 mandates that employers who have minimum wage employees will go from […]