(SPRINGFIELD) A coalition of lawmakers, labor unions, and activists throughout Illinois are pushing for taxes on wealthy people and large businesses to help fund statewide public schools, roads, transit, and services. With a Governor like J.B. Pritzker and other top politicians, the group says they have the power and the road map to make a “tax on the rich” a reality.
(SPRINGFIELD) Two bills with mostly bi-partisan support are being reintroduced, one each in the State House and State Senate, that aim to expand opportunities for Illinois students and strengthen the state’s workforce. The legislation would authorize Illinois community colleges to offer a limited set of baccalaureate degrees in high-demand fields to create more affordable, accessible pathways to bachelor’s degrees for working adults and place-bound students.
(CHICAGO) Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski says approximately 25 counties have placed an invalid candidate on the March 17th primary ballot. The Illinois State Board of Elections excluded Joe Severino from final candidate certification and sent an email to county clerks stating that his name should not be included due to a circuit court decision. Dabrowski says the action violates the constitutional and statutory requirements for uniformity.
(CHICAGO) An Illinois mega-project bill about a new Chicago Bears stadium project passed through a House Committee yesterday, but it did so with a warning from several lawmakers and an advocacy group, that the bill could lead to a huge rise in property tax bills in multiple areas of the state. The bill would allow the Bears’ proposed $5 billion stadium project and any $500 million project in the state to pay a negotiated lower rate instead of the same property tax that other companies and residents pay, plus it would allow the construction of the facility to be done sales tax free for 10 years. The bill now moves to the State House for a possible vote ASAP.