Hospitality sector gets $125 million in federal funds from state budget
(The Center Square) – The new state budget allocates $125 million in federal taxpayer funding to help Illinois’ hospitality industry after it was badly affected by economic restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s budget, which passed
Student organization applauds end of federal travel mask mandate
(The Center Square) – A student organization that fought mandates on college campuses in Illinois and elsewhere during the pandemic is applauding a judge’s ruling dropping the travel mask mandate. A federal judge in Florida struck down
UIS Faculty Authorize Strike
Faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield could walk off the job early next month unless there is significant progress soon toward a new contract. The union representing those instructors says members have overwhelmingly authorized a
No reforms to Illinois’ high property taxes as part of $300 rebate plan
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers who own real estate are in line for up to $300 back from the state. But there are no reforms to lower the state’s property taxes, which are second highest in
Springfield Gets Mixed Results On Legislative Wishlist
The City of Springfield got some, but definitely not all, of what it was hoping for in the recently-concluded legislative session. The city’s lobbyist, Larry Luster, made a presentation to aldermen Tuesday night. He notes that
Alderman Approve Transfer Of 3am Liquor License
Despite ongoing misgivings about 3am liquor establishments, Springfield aldermen have approved the transfer of a 3am license to the new owners of a downtown bar. The license that had belonged to Club Station House downtown is
Amid 4/20 Observance, State Sees Growth In Pot Sales
April 20th has become a sort of unofficial holiday for fans of marijuana, long before the drug was legal for recreational use in Illinois. And pot is now a cause for celebration for state officials, who
Another Local COVID Death Reported; Case Numbers Climbing
COVID numbers are climbing again in Sangamon County… and the county has now seen its first death from the virus in more than two weeks. The county reported 35 new cases Wednesday, and has had 212
Bill creating task force to evaluate using tax funds for immigration lawyers cued up for Pritzker
(The Center Square) – Adding to the 361 Illinois state government boards, commissions and task forces could be one tasked with looking at the cost of immigration lawyers. Senate Bill 3144 sets up a government task force
Coalition wants to end NDAs between public officials, corporations seeking taxpayer subsidies
(The Center Square) – A coalition is trying to put an end to economic non-disclosure agreements in Illinois that can shield taxpayers from knowing which corporations are lining up for subsidies, calling them corrupt and outrageous. The