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 operating budget for FY2020.
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 the committee in the coming weeks.
AARP-backed bill would penalize nursing homes for staff shortages AARP-backed bill would penalize nursing homes for staff shortages Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Senior care advocates promoted legislation Wednesday that is aimed at enforcing minimum staffing mandates, limiting the use of psychotropic drugs and heightening transparency for care violations... Read more
New ISBE superintendent supportive of added education funding New ISBE superintendent supportive of added education funding Tuesday, March 5, 2019 During just her third day on the job, Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent Carmen Ayala told a Senate appropriations committee Tuesday she was encouraged by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s... Read more
Study: Illinois marijuana industry will have to expand to meet legalization demand Study: Illinois marijuana industry will have to expand to meet legalization demand Friday, March 1, 2019 A fully-matured adult-use marijuana program in Illinois could produce between $440 million and $676 million in annual revenue, and the expected demand would be far greater than the state’s... Read more
Illinois filmmaking revenue grows by 12 percent in 2018 Illinois filmmaking revenue grows by 12 percent in 2018 Thursday, February 28, 2019 Spending and wages from the Illinois film industry were up 12 percent in 2018 from 2017, according to a release Thursday from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Film Office at the Department of... Read more
Universities detail billions in construction needs Universities detail billions in construction needs Thursday, February 28, 2019 With talk of the first capital bill in nearly a decade permeating the Capitol, representatives of the state’s public universities and community colleges put in their wish lists at a House... Read more
Republicans want details on Pritzker’s income tax plan Republicans want details on Pritzker’s income tax plan Wednesday, February 27, 2019 In the absence of public details regarding a rate structure for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax, opposing factions are painting starkly different pictures of the proposed... Read more