(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois business leaders pressured state lawmakers yesterday to approve billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded child-care investments, arguing that without more public spending, families and small businesses will continue to shoulder the burden of a system they say is already stretched thin. A new report released yesterday by Ready Nation Illinois, a nonpartisan network of roughly 300 businesses across the state, shows a lack of access to & affordable costs of child-care for working families. The survey of 403 working parents in Illinois found that those without sufficient child-care lose an average of $6,640 per year, primarily in lost wages, plus the survey approximated that this average totals at least $4.83 billion when applied across the state.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says property taxes are a local issue, however a county treasurer’s report says hefty tax increases are allowed by state law, which are not controlled locally. Asked about possible statewide property tax relief this past Monday, the Governor said property taxes are not determined by the state, but by local units of government, such as park boards, library boards, school boards, municipalities, etc. He also pointed to the minority party in Illinois as being confused by the property tax process. However, the Americans for Prosperity Illinois says the Governor’s statement is false and he should be held accountable.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Police reported yesterday that all 169 of the state’s 9-1-1 call centers have upgraded to Next Generation 9-1-1. Beginning nearly four years ago in June 2022, transitions from voice-centric networks to IP-based infrastructure concluded early last month, in March. Officials say that Illinois has now moved into the 21st century for 9-1-1 communication.
(CHICAGO) A federal grand jury has indicted a Buffalo Grove woman for allegedly swindling multiple victims out of at least $3.5 million by falsely claiming their money would be used to support immigration services, projects in Ukraine, and other needs. The 40 year old pleaded not guilty to 7 counts of wire fraud and 2 counts of impersonating a federal law enforcement officer.