Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Politics at the pump: Democrats’ election-year plan to pause gas tax hike sparks backlash from station owners
By Fourth of July, Illinois drivers likely will be greeted at the gas pump by 4-by-8-inch signs informing them that as they fill their tanks, they’re actually saving money, courtesy of their elected leaders in Springfield.
Legislation pushed through in the closing hours of the General Assembly’s truncated spring session this month freezes a scheduled hike in the state’s gas tax for six months. The measure, now awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature, includes a stipulation that every gas station in the state post a notice informing drivers about the gas-tax freeze.
The Center Square: Op-Ed: Why Illinois politicians are goofy to put tax signs on gas pumps
A new crop of political signs is sprouting across Illinois, but rather than decorating the roadsides, these are on gas pumps. They contain a lot of legally-prescribed words, but here’s the gist: “Save 2.2 cents a gallon for six months. Vote for J.B.”
Still, the content of the signs isn’t quite as important as the message being delivered to Illinois’ gas station owners: “Push our campaign agenda, or we’ll treat you like a criminal and fine you $500 per day.”
Capitol News Illinois: Appellate court declines to block enforcement of vaccine, testing mandate
A state appellate court ruled this week that it will not block enforcement of the Pritzker administration’s mandate that certain categories of public employees either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo regular testing.
The 2-1 ruling by the 4th District Court of Appeals upheld a Sangamon County judge’s decision on April 1 not to issue a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the policy.