Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Illinois among least financially-transparent states in U.S., report finds
Illinois ranked as one of the least financially-transparent states in the nation.
That’s according to a new report from the nonpartisan watchdog organization Truth in Accounting, based on fiscal year 2018 data, the most recent year available.
Associated Press: Parking tax would support building, hit private land
A tax on parking places to help finance Illinois’ $45 billion statewide construction plan has lawmakers taking a second look.
The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the tax takes effect Jan. 1. It’s 9% on spaces that are rented by the month or year. It’s 6% for spaces rented hourly, daily or weekly.
Chicago Sun-Times: 248 vehicles towed as winter parking ban takes effect
Nearly 250 vehicles were towed off city streets Sunday morning when the yearly winter parking ban took effect at 3 a.m., according to the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.
The overnight ban prohibits parking on 107 miles worth of main roadways between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. until April 1, regardless of snow.
The Center Square: Final pieces coming together for rollout of Illinois’ adult-use cannabis law
In less than a month, adults 21 and older will be able to legally buy and use cannabis in Illinois.
While the number of locations where consumers will be able to buy cannabis products will be limited, the first phase of the rollout begins Jan. 1.
Associated Press: Harvey reports highest number of homicides in years
A Chicago suburb is registering a multiyear high number of homicides.
The Daily Southtown reports Harvey’s 19 homicides this year is more than any Cook County municipality outside Chicago since at least 2012. It says the number is 70% higher than Harvey’s homicide figure for all of 2018.