Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois New taxes will be disastrous for gas stations and convenience stores, particularly along border As lawmakers prepare to head home for the summer, one of their final acts before leaving the Capitol includes potentially doubling the state’s motor fuel tax and raising…
Sandoval cosponsors legislation to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois Proposal includes provisions for expungement, equitable participation in the industry. The Illinois Senate on Thursday May 30, 2019 voted 38-17 to approve the legislation after about 40 minutes of debate. It must still pass the Illinois House. Recreational cannabis could soon be legal in Illinois under…
“Fair Tax” approved by Illinois House, now goes to voters Leaders Also Announce Property Tax Relief Task Force As Part of Fair Tax; Bipartisan, Bicameral Task Force to Make Recommendations for Property Tax Relief. The “Fair Tax” law will be presented to Illinois Voters in a binding referendum in the November 2020 elections Governor JB…
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Teamsters Local 727 criticize Pritzker plan to impose 6% parking tax Pritzker’s Proposal for State Parking Tax in ‘Rebuild Illinois’ Plan Will Do Real Harm to Illinois Business Climate. Confiscatory parking tax targets City and unreasonably burdens Chicago workers and businesses The “Rebuild Illinois” capital plan recently released by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker proposed a 6%…
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Ford Introduces Legislation to Save Lives in the Opioid Overdose Epidemic Emphasizing that we have to do everything that we can to save lives during the epidemic of deaths from overdoses, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation to make sure that those who have suffered an overdose have the antidote medicine…
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Stratton takes back-stage in Pritzker administration Juliana Stratton, who was elected as the lieutenant Governor running mate to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, has not been given the role she was promised. Instead, high profile issues are being handed out to Pritzker’s male cronies including former Comptroller Dan Hynes By Ray Hanania After J.B. Pritzker was elected,…
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Hurley Supports Sale of Cruelty-Free Cosmetics in Illinois Cosmetics companies would be encouraged to find alternatives to testing new products on animals under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago. “Safety testing by the cosmetics industry is often painful and distressing to animals,” Hurley said. “While many brands have taken it upon themselves to…
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Gov. Pritzker, legislators move to legalize Adult-Use cannabis Sen. Heather Steans, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Sen. Hutchinson, Rep. Gordon-Booth, Rep. Villanueva, Lt. Gov. Stratton Join Numerous Stakeholders Support Measure to Legalize Cannabis for Adult Use on Jan. 1, 2020 Gov. JB Pritzker, key lawmakers and stakeholders from around the state announced that they have agreed on…
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J.B. Pritzker’s income tax shell game Once again, Pritzker thinks money will not only buy him into statewide office but it will also pull the wool over the eyes of Illinois taxpayers. Pritzker’s new income tax plan changes the flat tax to a graduated tax that would open the door to significant tax increases on…
Arab American Heritage Month, April, celebrated by elected officials More than 100 elected officials and Arab American community leaders came together on April 10 to celebrate the revival of Arab American Heritage month, April. The commemoration of Arab American contributions to this country and their culture was codified in a state law introduced by Illinois…
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Willis, Welch bill to make hospital closure tougher passes House State Reps. Kathleen Willis, D-Northlake, and Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, are continuing their push to keep Westlake Hospital open by passing legislation that makes it harder for wealthy health management companies to purchase local hospitals and then close down to pad profits. “Hospitals need every…
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April proclaimed Arab American Heritage month by Cook County Board Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison introduces a proclamation honoring April as Arab American Heritage Month at the board meeting March 20, 2019, in coordination with the passage of a State of Illinois Law designating April as Arab American Heritage month. The Cook County Board on…
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Speaker details actions taken to address sexual harassment In February 2018, the Office of the Speaker released a summary of past complaints of discrimination and harassment. That document included descriptions of two allegations involving Travis Shea. Both women were consulted prior to the release and requested confidentiality. To date, neither has given permission to disclose…
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Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois As part of her commitment to criminal justice reform, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is proposing a major overhaul of Illinois’ sentencing laws, easing reliance on unfair mandatory minimum sentences and providing judges with discretion to use alternative sentences. “We’ve seen how a so-called ‘tough on…
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Pritzker names Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head Veterans Affairs Governor JB Pritzker announced a new appointment to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, nominating Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head the agency. “The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has faced numerous challenges, and it’s a priority for my administration to ensure that our…
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Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment Legislative leaders release statements detailing steps to be taken in response to allegations of sexual harassment. Statements released by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, former legislator Barbara Flynn Curry, and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on…
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Illinois leaders denounce Trump’s campus harassment changes Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, and leaders of the Illinois Democratic Party including Assistant Majority Leader Kelly Burke denounce President Donald Trump’s efforts to weaken Campus Harassment Rules for university and college students House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and members of the House Democratic Women’s Caucus are calling…
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Sandoval takes oath of office for sixth term State Sen. Martin Sandoval declares that health care and immigrant rights will remain priorities as he returns to The Illinois Senate for a 6th Term in office Affordable health care, protecting immigrants’ rights, equitable K-12 funding, increasing public safety and creating more jobs will continue to be…