(SPRINGFIELD) Lawmakers are back in Springfield gearing up for the spring legislative session at the State Capitol. The Illinois House’s first meeting of 2026 was yesterday afternoon. While some Democrats are calling for a new tax on rich people at higher rates in Illinois, many downstate lawmakers are opposed to further tax hikes and want to simply focus on spending cuts throughout the state. Plenty of other issues are also at the forefront of discussion in Springfield including an overhaul of the state’s SAFE-T Act, a state policy regarding Israel, and more. The House members are slated to meet again today. The State Senate met briefly last week.
(SPRINGFIELD) One proposal by Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Democratic lawmakers is already spurring controversy throughout the state. It’s House Bill 3320, called the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation Act, referred to as the RIFL Act. Drawing sharp criticism from gun-rights advocates, many statewide Republicans, & even some Democrats, the bill would require firearm manufacturers operating in Illinois to obtain a new state permit and pay fees tied to the estimated cost of gun violence. Officials with the Illinois Firearms Association recently stated that the new proposal is one of most dangerous gun control bills yet to be introduced in the Land of Lincoln.
(SPRINGFIELD) A new survey released by 5StarLoans.com shows the most hated tax in Illinois is the property tax. The poll of 3,044 respondents found Illinois homeowners pay thousands of dollars more in property taxes each year as compared to counterparts in surrounding states, plus residents feel like they are paying premium rates for services that have not kept pace. The second most hated tax is vehicle registration fees, followed by utility & service surcharges.
(EFFINGHAM) Newly crowned Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, Krista Phillips of Effingham County, is looking to representing statewide agriculture over the next year as she will reign over the 2026 State Fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin, plus attend some 30 local fairs while working for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The 21-year-old will graduate from the U of I in Champaign in May with a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing.