(SPRINGFIELD) With the final scheduled session day for state lawmakers set for today in Springfield, statewide taxpayers remain in the dark about how the legislators plan to spend the more than $50 billion proposed by Governor J.B. Pritzker. Many lawmakers spent time last night lining up new or expanded programs to use the taxpayer funds. Although today is the adjournment date, lawmakers have the rest of May scheduled for contingency days.
(SPRINGFIELD) Amid a tremendous amount of pushback from restaurant groups and workers in the service industry, a bill to raise the tipped wage has stalled at the Illinois State Capitol. House Bill 5345 would mandate that tipped workers are paid at least the $8.40 per hour minimum wage, not including tips, with the employers required to make up the difference if tips do not boost the pay rate to the standard minimum wage. With today’s scheduled adjournment, the bill has not been called for a vote in either chamber.
(SPRINGFIELD) Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to the summer boating season. Both the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Conservation Police are urging people to wear life jackets anytime they’re on the water and to only operate boats while sober. Statistics show that last year there were 70 reportable boating accidents on Illinois waterways, resulting 12 deaths and 37 injuries. Of the 12 fatalities a year ago, eight of the victims were not wearing a life jacket or safety vest. Let’s be safe out there.