Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Capitol News Illinois: Pritzker lifts public transportation face covering requirement
Gov. JB Pritzker officially lifted the state requirement that face coverings be worn on public transportation Wednesday after a federal judge overturned the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask mandate.
U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of the Middle District of Florida ruled on Monday that the federal mask mandate was unlawful since it exceeds the authority of the CDC. The ruling comes about a week after the CDC extended the mask mandate through May 3.
The Center Square: No reforms to Illinois’ high property taxes as part of $300 rebate plan
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 the nation.
The one-time payment of up to $300 for eligible taxpayers is part of the budget package enacted this week. There’s no timeline yet on when checks from the state comptroller would go out.
CBS Chicago: 'We were let down tremendously:' Social equity applicants for marijuana licenses have dreams crushed by legal red tape
Wednesday marked 4/20 – the unofficial day of celebration for cannabis users – and since recreational sales were legalized in 2020, sales have soared well into the millions month after month – with total revenues in the billions.
Earlier Wednesday, there were lines outside the door at a local dispensary.
The Center Square: Hospitality sector gets $125 million in federal funds from state budget
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 earlier this month and was singed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker Tuesday, contains $75 million for a hotel jobs recovery program and another $50 million for a restaurant employment and stabilization grant program.
ABC 7 Chicago: Illinois hires more than 5K teachers, bringing statewide vacancy rate to 1.5%
Illinois hired more than 5,000 new teachers in the past fiscal year.
Preliminary data shows the state added 5,676 teachers. That’s more in a single year than in the past five years combined.
MyStateline.com: Illinois had more new teachers this year than past five combined
he Illinois State Board of Education said that it is finally filling those vacant teacher positions.
The “Preliminary Data of Unfilled Positions” survey sent out last fall shows that Illinois added 5,676 teachers to the profession just this year. The board said that this is the most teachers added in a single year than in the past five years combined. It was needed, as the statewide teacher vacancy rate reached a low point of 1.5%.
The Center Square: Coalition wants to end NDAs between public officials, corporations seeking taxpayer subsidies
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 Ban Secret Deals coalition is calling on state and local officials to introduce legislation similar to state Sen. Robert Peters’, D-Chicago, Honesty in Economic Development Act to put an end to the secret deals. Peters’ legislation stalled in committee during the spring legislative session. The coalition is now conducting a petition drive.