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Chicago Tribune: Gas taxes and driver's license fees would go up dramatically under Illinois Senate proposal
The cost of owning and operating a vehicle in Illinois would increase dramatically under a proposal in the state Senate aimed at paying for repairs to crumbling roads and bridges.
The legislation, introduced this week by Democratic Sen. Martin Sandoval of Chicago, would more than double the state’s gas tax to 44 cents a gallon, double the driver’s license fee to $60 and raise the vehicle registration fee to $148. The driver’s license fee is now $30; the vehicle registration fee is $98.
State Journal-Register: House Republicans say no tax hikes needed with improved state finances
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said Wednesday the state can forgo tax and fee increases to balance the budget because state finances are in better shape than expected.
At a Statehouse news conference, Durkin said the state can now afford to drop a number of revenue ideas floated by Gov. J.B. Pritzker like imposing a tax on plastic bags and raising the tax on tobacco products.
Associated Press: Illinois lawmakers vow to fix lapses in child welfare system
Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday took aim at the state’s Department of Children and Family Services, which has been haunted for decades by deaths wrought of abuse and neglect and is in the spotlight again following the beating death of a 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy with a long history of contact with the agency.
The agency also this year has drawn scrutiny for its involvement with two other children who died, including a 2-year-old Decatur girl who police say died of starvation and neglect.
State Journal-Register: Small businesses opposed to increase in video gaming tax
Doug and Karen Kent run three establishments in Springfield — the Burger Bar, Always After Five and the Sunset Inn.
All three places have an added attraction to the business itself — five video gaming machines to play if you are so inclined.
Crain's Chicago Business: Emanuel's new pension Rx: tax high-end retirement income
In an interview in which he discussed the high and low points of his administration—from making difficult decisions on city finances to getting off on the wrong foot with former Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis—Emanuel disclosed that he has begun shopping his new pension idea in Springfield.
WBEZ: How Illinois Racked Up Big Debt From Poor Kids Vaccine Program
The Illinois Department of Public Health owes the federal government an estimated $24 million for debt that piled up from a complicated state program to vaccinate poor kids, WBEZ has learned.
The revelation adds another layer to Illinois’ byzantine effort to get vaccines for roughly 130,000 low-income children. The state had been using free vaccines from the federal government for kids in the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP.
Chicago Sun-Times: Another chapter of ‘All in the Family’ — Burnett pushing stepson for House seat
A sequel to a long running Chicago political story — “All in the Family” — is playing out in the behind-the-scenes maneuvering to fill the vacancy created by State Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s election as city treasurer.
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) is pushing his stepson, Jawaharial “Omar” Williams, to replace Conyears-Ervin in the 10th District.
Chicago Tribune: How did a CPS high school get in line for a $13M gym to lure a star basketball coach? All one of Rahm Emanuel’s campaign donors had to do was ask.
Two days after Orr Academy won its second straight state basketball title, the wealthy philanthropist and driving force behind efforts to turn around academic performance at the West Side high school emailed a plan to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Former venture capitalist Martin “Mike” Koldyke asked to dump Orr from his nonprofit’s portfolio, saying it “has no prospect for improvement.” He requested that Chicago Public Schools spend $12 million to build a new gym at Phillips Academy on the South Side. In turn, they could persuade Orr’s star hoops coach, Lou Adams, to switch schools and help transform Phillips, already a football powerhouse, into the city’s mecca for high school sports.
Northwest Herald: Watchdog group alleges Freedom of Information Act violation against Algonquin Township
Algonquin Township has again been accused of violating the Freedom of Information Act, this time in reference to a June 2 request from the donation-driven group Edgar County Watchdogs.
In a civil complaint filed Friday in McHenry County court, the group’s attorney, Denise Ambroziak, accused Algonquin Township of failing to respond to Edgar County Watchdog founder John Kraft’s request for township communications with YouTube representatives.
Daily Herald: Some concerns about District 15 school in mall, but plans will continue
Palatine Township Elementary District 15’s school board is OK continuing with a plan to create a new school in part of a mall in the village near Dundee and Rand roads.
Superintendent Scott Thompson gave a presentation at Wednesday night’s District 15 school board meeting with more financial details on the proposal, roughly a month since it first surfaced. He said he’d end the idea if the elected officials objected, but that did not occur.
Rockford Register-Star: Winnebago County state’s attorney criticized for lack of transparency
Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney, municipal leaders of Loves Park, Machesney Park and Winnebago and even a few County Board members are blasting State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross for advising the board to keep mum about how the county spends its public safety sales tax revenue.
The County Board confirmed Hite Ross’ appointment as state’s attorney by a vote of 17-3 in December, and she retains the support of many board members. But critics say that the county’s top prosecutor is keeping the public in the dark about how the county is spending taxpayer money and doing the public’s business.