(CHICAGO) Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed $1.5 billion public transit-funding legislation, but Illinois consumers are expected to pay the price with higher taxes and tolls. Signed into law yesterday in Chicago, Senate Bill 2111 establishes the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) to replace the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and oversee the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace. While the Governor promised that Illinois is on the verge of a world class transportation network, opponents of the move say it’s simply a bailout for Chicago, paid for by taxpayers. With $860 million in annual transit funding from a diversion of the state’s motor fuel tax, $200 million will come from the road fund and state construction account.
(CARBONDALE) The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois has released the results of a seven-day fugitive roundup effort by federal and state law enforcement agencies. Operation Safe Christmas resulted in 63 arrests, plus the seizure of 2.5 pounds of narcotics and over $15,000 in U.S. currency. U.S. Marshals led the operation with arrests in five downstate Illinois counties and various connected arrests in Atlanta, Georgia as well.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois is the only state in the Midwest and one of just a dozen in the nation with average gas prices over $3.00 per gallon. The Triple A Motor Club reports the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Illinois is at $3.03 as of yesterday, all while the national average has fallen below $2.91 per gallon. The downstate area average for gasoline is holding even at $2.85.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced yesterday that $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge & Transition (IBT) Grants have been awarded to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers. The downstate recipients among the 29 total grants awarded include Lake Land College, Kaskaskia College, and Lewis & Clark Community College.