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Chicago Tribune: Setting low expectations for his first budget, Gov. J.B. Pritzker report says Bruce Rauner drove Illinois 'into a financial ditch'
Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration on Friday set the stage for a low-expectations budget plan later this month, attacking former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner for driving Illinois “into a financial ditch” that will take years to pull out of.
“Rebuilding a strong financial foundation for Illinois will take more than one year, or even one gubernatorial term,” said a report from Deputy Gov. Dan Hynes, a former state comptroller. “The current administration is committed to working diligently and across party lines to put our state on a path to fiscal stability.”
Crain's Chicago Business: Pritzker: Illinois deficit to be $435M more than Rauner estimated
The deficit is $3.2 billion, Pritzker’s office said in issuing a report called “Digging Out: The Rauner Wreckage Report.”
Chicago Tribune: Ald. Burke got a tax break on his home that Cook County's new assessor can't explain
Embattled Ald. Edward Burke got property tax breaks on his home and office building last year that the newly elected Cook County assessor says he can’t explain.
The breaks, which saved the 14th Ward alderman more than $1,500 on his property tax bills, came as Burke was under federal investigation for suspicion of using the considerable powers of his office and Finance Committee chairmanship to leverage business for Klafter & Burke, his property tax appeals firm.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago and Illinois are still after Amazon's HQ2, or at least part of it
Chicago and Illinois officials reached out to Amazon on Friday in a renewed effort to win a 25,000-job campus that would serve as part of the tech behemoth’s second headquarters.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker called Amazon and made “a full-throated pitch” this morning, according to a source from his administration. A City Hall source confirmed the city reached out as well.
WBEZ: Universal Basic Income Pilot In Chicago Takes Cues From California
A Chicago task force dedicated to studying economic inequality released on Thursday its recommendation to explore a guaranteed income pilot and expand the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The recommendations were included in a 50-page report filled with data about stagnant wages and growing income inequality and highlighting personal stories of Chicagoans struggling to make ends meet despite working multiple jobs and sticking to strict budgets. According to the task force, these proposals would put additional money in the pockets of low- and middle-income families to keep them above water financially.
Peoria Journal-Star: Will Peoria charge out-of-towners involved in auto accidents?
Getting in an accident in Peoria could soon prove even more costly for out-of-towners than a dented fender.
The Peoria City Council will review an ordinance Tuesday that would charge non-Peoria residents for services fire department personnel perform at the scene of an accident.