Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Crain's Chicago Business: Airbnb delivers $9.3 million in Illinois tax revenue in 2017
Airbnb said today that Illinois collected $9.3 million in tax revenue from the company in 2017, a more than 30 percent increase compared to 2016.
“This comes as Illinoisans increasingly embrace home sharing as an opportunity to earn supplemental income and make ends meet,” the company said in a statement.
Chicago Sun-Times: Aldermen get an earful, then approve Riverwalk concessions
Chicago aldermen on Thursday got an earful from noise-weary residents of Riverfront high-rises, but still approved long-term concessions that will allow eight entertainment-oriented businesses to set up shop along the downtown Riverwalk.
John Fitzpatrick, a board member of the RiverView Condominium Association, unloaded on the City Council’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate on behalf of his 500 fellow residents who live in high-rises and townhomes in the 400-block of North Water Street.
Northwest Herald: Algonquin Township Highway Department bonuses highlight problem with small governments
More than $260,000 in unexplained bonuses are being investigated amid a wider probe into official misconduct during Bob Miller’s time at the Algonquin Township Highway Department.
Township officials have no written policy explaining the bonuses, characterized as miscellaneous pay, that were given to employees since May 2013, according to documents obtained by the Northwest Herald.
Rockford Register-Star: Winnebago County Board approves money for jailers and host fee grants
The Winnebago County Board on Thursday overwhelmingly approved Sheriff Gary Caruana’s $350,000 request to hire additional correctional officers.
The money will be taken from the county’s 1 percent Public Safety Tax and will allow Caruana to hire 10 correctional officers to boost daily staffing levels in the County Jail, reduce the number of lockdowns and possibly curtail the onslaught of lawsuits filed by inmates.
Peoria Journal-Star: Woodford County tries again to pass sales tax for county school districts
Woodford County’s nine public school districts would split an estimated $1.8 million a year in sales tax revenues if voters say yes to raising the county sales tax by 1 percent.
This is the second time since 2013 the Woodford County School Facilities Sales Tax has appeared on the ballot. Voters answered with a resounding defeat five years ago, but some county residents and school superintendents are more optimistic for the upcoming March 20 election.
State Journal-Register: Even with tax increases passing, Springfield predicts budget hole
Even after passing increases in the sales and telecommunication tax, the city of Springfield would still possibly face a $4 million deficit in the budget year that begins March 1, according to city budget director Bill McCarty.
Mayor Jim Langfelder said he will propose a 4 percent natural gas tax to help with the deficit, which remains at $2.6 million. When the budget process began, it was $11.4 million, which was largely made up through the tax hikes and cuts to spending. The natural gas tax could raise $1.5 million, but the number is dependent on the cost of natural gas and its usage, McCarty said.