Staffing and budget issues still haunt DCFS, union officials say Staffing and budget issues still haunt DCFS, union officials say Friday, March 8, 2019 Labor officials who represent workers in the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services say staff shortages in that agency have been making it difficult for case workers to keep up with a large volume of reports about abuse and neglect.
Pritzker releases initial rates in push for income tax overhaul Pritzker releases initial rates in push for income tax overhaul Thursday, March 7, 2019 Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker framed Illinois’ $3.2 billion structural budget deficit as having three possible solutions Thursday: a 15 percent across-the-board cut to state spending, including education; a 20 percent income tax increase on every Illinoisan; or his preferred solution of a graduated income tax structure, which he claims will lower taxes on 97 percent of Illinoisans. At a...
Illinois’ economy grew faster than expected last year; slowdown predicted in next two years Illinois’ economy grew faster than expected last year; slowdown predicted in next two years Thursday, March 7, 2019 Illinois’ economy grew at a faster rate than expected in fiscal year 2019, but government forecasters warn of a potential economic slowdown as the state government prepares to pass an... Read more
State higher education officials defend Pritzker’s proposed budget increase State higher education officials defend Pritzker’s proposed budget increase Thursday, March 7, 2019 Higher education officials defended Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed $137 million increase in higher education funding for next year before a key House committee on Thursday as some lawmakers... Read more
Statewide capital bill unlikely to come by construction season Statewide capital bill unlikely to come by construction season Thursday, March 7, 2019 The Illinois Department of Transportation was one among a variety of related local and state groups to talk about its funding needs for Illinois’ next major capital bill, which some... Read more
Illinois could lose extra congressional seat, billions of dollars if residents dodge census Illinois could lose extra congressional seat, billions of dollars if residents dodge census Wednesday, March 6, 2019 The loss of two congressional seats and billions of dollars in federal funding are only two of the problems facing Illinois if it cannot get all of its residents to respond to the 2020 census.... Read more
Statewide bag tax advances out of Senate committee Statewide bag tax advances out of Senate committee Wednesday, March 6, 2019 A bill levying a 7-cent tax on plastic and paper shopping bags advanced out of the state Senate’s revenue committee Wednesday with its sponsor promising to bring an amended proposal back to... Read more
Lawmaker: Illinois not doing enough to prevent suicides Lawmaker: Illinois not doing enough to prevent suicides Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Suicide is a problem both lawmakers and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention think Illinois can better address. The most recent data available show 1,474 Illinoisans died by suicide in... Read more