By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A local government advocacy group laid out its legislative agenda Monday and called on lawmakers to fully fund a program that shares state income tax revenue with local municipalities. The Illinois Municipal League’s “Moving Cities Forward” agenda also includes efforts to: […]
State of Illinois
Illinois 130 bridge replacement begins in March
The Illinois Department of Transportation will replace the bridge that carries Sycamore Street (Illinois 130) over the Embarras River in Villa Grove beginning the week of March 9. The removal of the current bridge will be done in stages to maintain two-way traffic, which will be controlled by temporary signals. […]
Proposed bill would mandate K-12 sex education
BY DANI TIETZ dani@mahometnews.com Senate Bill 2762 could mandate “inclusive, medically accurate, and culturally appropriate comprehensive sex education” for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade if it becomes law. Presented by sponsors Senator Ram Villivalam (Democrat District 8) and Representative Kathleen Willis (Democrat District 77), the bill would require […]
First month’s legal marijuana sales generate $7.3 million in tax revenue
photo by Jerry Nowicki – Capitol News Illinois By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Revenue reported Monday that the first month of legalized adult-use cannabis sales in the state generated $7.3 million in cannabis tax revenue for the state, plus another $3.1 million […]
Proposed bills add sexting and e-cigs to school curriculum
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 […]
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 […]
