The Illinois gas tax will increase again on July 1, 2020. The automatic increase is part of the 2019 legislative session that doubled the motor fuel tax—from $.19 to $.38 as part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s $45 billion Rebuild Illinois plan. The law also allows for the tax to increase […]
State of Illinois
Pritzker signs budget, touts spending of federal funds on child care grants
Financial uncertainty still swirls as COVID-19 continues to impact tax revenues By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a state budget for fiscal year 2021 Wednesday, but there is no more financial clarity now than there was when lawmakers passed the measure last month. […]
New Illinois jobless claims slow in last week of May
State revenues fall 23% during the month By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — While new unemployment claims remained historically high in the final week of May, the surge of new claims since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be starting to slow as a number […]
Phase 3 Guidance on Illinois summer school released
By Dani Tietz dani@sjodaily.com The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released guidance on in-person instruction for summer school Thursday. Part Two of the Transition Plan Advisory Workgroup’s recommendations for transitioning to in-person instruction provides recommendations for how schools can comply with IDPH […]
Pritzker allows sale of curbside cocktails
By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois restaurants and bars can serve cocktails to go Tuesday after Gov. JB Pritzker signed an initiative designed by lawmakers to provide establishments with financial relief in the wake of COVID-19 challenges. Those businesses are “some of the hardest hit” by […]
Black Caucus: ‘Far too much to accomplish’ to let looting take away from message
‘Burned out storefronts and looted shops’ can’t be monument to George Floyd, leaders say By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus detailed their ongoing fight for racial equality and made calls for the end of looting at a news conference held […]
Illinois Secretary of State facilities to begin reopening June 1
Illinois Secretary of State facilities will begin reopening for business on June 1 with a focus on new drivers, those with expired driver’s licenses or ID cards and vehicle transactions for the first two months. Beginning June 1 facilities in Chicago North, Chicago South and Chicago West will open on […]
Despite budget approval, much is in limbo after session
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers approved a state operating budget shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, but despite the passage of the document, nothing about the next fiscal year is black and white. The state is depending on a broad package providing federal monetary aid to […]
Lawmakers pass budget package to close out special session
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Senate on early Sunday morning passed a budget package authorizing $42.8 billion in general revenue spending next year, although much of that remains tentative depending on the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential congressional action that could send more […]
Senate GOP: Stay in session until we have bipartisan reopening plan
Brady: ‘This discussion needs to go beyond 2:30 in the afternoon press conferences’ By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – On just the third day of legislative session since March 5, Senate Republicans called a socially distanced outdoor news conference Friday morning to argue for a more collaborative […]