Illinois Senate Democrats pass $5.4B tax increase
Illinois Senate Democrats pass $5.4B tax increase
Each Illinois household would pay an additional $1,125 in taxes each year, on average, under the Senate's tax-hike plan.
State Rep. Ives’ Senate tax hike roadblock
State Rep. Ives’ Senate tax hike roadblock
7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills
7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills
Though most of the top 100 property tax bills came from New York, the state with the second most entries was Illinois. The 13th highest bill in the country belonged to Exelon’s nuclear generating station in Byron, Illinois, totaling $36.5 million in 2016.
Illinois tax hikes
Illinois tax hikes
Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M
Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M
In 2015, Chicago-headquartered Akuna Capital LLC signed a deal with the state of Illinois that state officials estimated to be worth $4.5 million. As part of the agreement, Akuna agreed to hire 10 new employees. The agreement states the new hires specialized in trading and software.
Illinois owes $3.5M in past-due utility bills
Illinois owes $3.5M in past-due utility bills
The state government owes the City Water, Light and Power of Springfield $3.5 million on past-due utility bills for state offices. The past-due utility bills are just one part of Illinois’ more than $14.3 billion bill backlog.
Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Only 51 percent of black adults reported having some form of work in Illinois.
Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate
New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.
Illinois State Senator Andy Manar jumps the shark
Illinois State Senator Andy Manar jumps the shark
SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois
SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois
The Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee has passed a bill to prohibit municipalities in Illinois from enacting local Right-to-Work measures. The bill now heads to the full House of Representatives for a hearing.
Constitutional amendment term limiting legislative leaders advances
Constitutional amendment term limiting legislative leaders advances
A bill that would apply term limits to legislative leaders in the Illinois House and Senate cleared a major hurdle May 19, and is scheduled for a second reading May 22.
Illinois House has spent less than 6 hours in session this month
Illinois House has spent less than 6 hours in session this month
House members have spent as much time playing softball and basketball as they have in session since the beginning of May.
Bill to honor Barack Obama’s birthday headed to Gov. Rauner
Bill to honor Barack Obama’s birthday headed to Gov. Rauner
Illinois Senate Bill 55 would observe former President Barack Obama’s Aug. 4 birthday, but keep state facilities open.
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
The odds Illinois continues without a budget until 2018 increase sharply if nothing passes before the end of May