Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker's graduated income tax plan a step closer to 2020 ballot after House panel vote
An Illinois House committee on Monday advanced a proposed state constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated-rate income tax, the cornerstone of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to stabilize the state’s chronically shaky finances.
The proposed amendment was passed by the Senate on May 1 on a 40-19 straight party-line vote, exceeding the required three-fifths majority. Before going to voters for final approval on the November 2020 ballot, the amendment must pass by the same margin in the House, where Democrats hold 74 seats. With Republicans unified in opposition, they’ll need all but three of their members to vote in favor of the amendment, which would do away with a constitutionally mandated flat tax.
Chicago Sun-Times: Moody’s: Illinois one of two states unprepared to weather a recession
A Moody’s report on Monday analyzed just how ready the country is for a recession.
And just two states failed the test: Illinois and New Jersey.
WBEZ: Illinois Charter School Battles Coming To A Head As Bill Advances
There’s been a long-standing battle in education circles in Illinois and nationally around charter schools. Now, that fight is coming to a head in Springfield as legislation aimed at getting rid of a state commission that can overrule a local school board’s decision to reject a charter school moves toward passage.
The Democrat-backed bill passed the Senate in April, and a vote is expected in the House before the legislative session ends May 31. Gov. JB Pritzker has said he’ll sign the bill, SB1226, if it arrives on his desk. Former Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a similar bill last year.
Chicago Sun-Times: Six in 10 Illinoisans want recreational pot treated ‘just like alcohol,’ poll shows
With less than two weeks left in the spring legislative session, a new poll funded by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s dark money group finds strong support for legalizing marijuana throughout the state.
The Global Strategy Group poll, commissioned by Think Big Illinois, asked 802 Illinois registered voters between April 29 and May 1 whether they supported or opposed “legalizing recreational marijuana, taxing it, and regulating it just like alcohol.”
Chicago Tribune: Chicago aldermen react to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s inaugural address
During her inaugural address Monday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot received perhaps the most raucous cheers when she put the aldermen seated behind her on notice that she intends to attack the “shady backroom deals” she said allow political insiders to get rich while regular folks foot the bill.
“These practices have gone on for far too long, and this practice breeds corruption,” she said, as the crowd and then the aldermen rose to their feet for a standing ovation. “Stopping it isn’t just in the city’s interest, it’s in the City Council’s interest.”
Daily Herald: Gurnee approves $200,000 incentive for radio stations to move to Gurnee Mills
Four radio stations are set to move to Gurnee Mills after the village board voted Monday to pay their owner $200,000 over three years to offset renovation costs.
The radio stations on the move are two Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin-based stations — WIIL 95.1-FM and WLIP 1050-AM — and two based in Waukegan — WKRS ESPN Deportes 1220-AM and WXLC 102.3-FM.
Decatur Herald & Review: The Decatur City Council just approved a $403,300 road project. Here's where work is planned.
City officials on Monday said motorists shouldn’t have to worry about South Shores Drive being closed to traffic this summer after council members approved a $403,300 project to restore asphalt on the roadway.
The council voted 6-0 to accept a bid from Dunn Company to carry out the project, which City Manager Scot Wrighton told council members is part of the city’s overall street improvement plans for this year that utilize local and state motor fuel tax revenues.
State Journal-Register: Langfelder seeks emergency passage of casino resolution
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder wants the Springfield City Council to pass an emergency resolution asking the Illinois General Assembly to include Springfield if it gives new locations authorization to have casinos.
“I’ve always said that … we want that casino license,” Langfelder said Monday, a day before the council meeting. “If you don’t have a license, you don’t have a horse in the race.”