Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Cook County, parking operators in dispute over possibly millions in back taxes that could leave consumers pinched
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s administration is doing more than 20 audits of private parking operators dating back seven years to determine whether they owe potentially millions in back taxes related to residential apartment parking, records and interviews show.
The issue has the potential to affect many Chicago-area residents and cost parking lot operators millions that could ultimately be passed on to consumers. If individual parking companies end up getting hit hard by an audit, they’re likely to raise their own prices to try and recoup that money, ultimately hurting consumers.
Crain's Chicago Business: These are the stories to watch in 2019
Mayor Rahm Emanuel decided not to seek a third term and Gov. Bruce Rauner, to much less surprise, lost his bid for a second. They will return to a private sector clouded by a slowing economy, stock market volatility and fears of further increases in interest rates.
Peoria Journal-Star: New law tackles old TV disposal, but local recycling options remain limited
A new state law regulating the recycling of electronic devices has already taken effect, but it’s still not quite time to wrestle that big-screen television set into the back seat and haul it away.
The Consumer Electronics Recycling Act, signed into law in Illinois last August, authorized free collection sites across the state for common electronic equipment that has been barred from landfills since 2012, but it could be spring or later before sites are actually established in individual counties.
State Journal-Register: Personal assistants hope Pritzker grants reprieve from Rauner OT rule
David Spurney of rural Staunton hopes the new year brings an end to statewide restrictions on overtime for personal assistants.
Spurney, 47, and his personal assistant, Tami Straub, in whose home he lives, said they would like to see Gov-elect J.B. Pritzker rescind outgoing Gov. Bruce Rauner’s overtime rule and lift the threat of suspension for PAs who work more than 45 hours per week.
The Southern: Forbes list says Illinois is one of the next states to legalize pot
In a recent Forbes list, Illinois was listed as one of the top states likely to legalize marijuana in the coming year.
This follows marked enthusiasm on the campaign trail and post-election from Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker, who has said he would act on the legalization of pot as quickly as he possibly could. Also no longer neutral on the issue is House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who has said he’d back such a measure.