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Chicago Tribune: Rauner-Madigan war leads to exodus of lawmakers from Springfield
The long-running, expensive political battle between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has resulted in a war of attrition in Springfield that’s led to a mass exodus of lawmakers and forced legislative leaders to find replacements.
House Republican leader Jim Durkin, who’s been confronted with a split among his members over supporting a major income tax increase the governor opposed, acknowledged the years of gridlock have proved unsatisfying to some at the Capitol.
Chicago Tribune: General Assembly exodus: List of lawmakers who left or plan to leave
The political war between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken its toll at the Capitol. Since Rauner and lawmakers were sworn into office in January 2015, at least 43 of 118 House seats and at least 14 of 59 Senate districts have already seen or will see changes by the time next year’s elections are concluded. That’s 36 percent of the House and nearly a quarter of the Senate. All told, it’s one-third of the entire General Assembly.
Chicago Sun-Times: Cook County sweetened beverage sales continue to decline
Some retailers have seen their beverage sales decline by around 47 percent, according to numbers released to Can the Tax Coalition from the county’s retailers.
The coalition, which receives funding from the American Beverage Association, teamed up with stores from the Illinois Food Retailers Association. Of the 32 stores that opted to share sales data with the coalition, 24 said that they had experienced sales declines of more than 20 percent. Thirteen of the retailers reported declines of more than 30 percent, and five said that their beverage sales have declined by 40 percent or more with the highest reported at 47 percent.
Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago a 'top prospect' for Amazon headquarters
As a delegation from City Hall and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office tours Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle today, the head of the state’s economic development arm is lifting the veil a bit on the odds of Chicago winning Amazon’s huge 50,000-job HQ2.
The bottom line from Intersect Illinois’ Mark Peterson: The Windy City really is in the hunt, aided by its public transportation infrastructure, an asset that’s gone largely unappreciated until now in the headquarters sweepstakes. And the governor and Mayor Rahm Emanuel really are working together for a change on this one, Peterson notes. But success by no means is guaranteed.
Chicago Tribune: House Republican leader: Don't 'give away the store' to Amazon
House Republican leader Jim Durkin on Tuesday said Illinois should pursue Amazon’s second headquarters, but he doesn’t “think we need to give away the store like Wisconsin just did” for Foxconn.
Durkin was asked about Illinois’ efforts to land the giant company during an appearance before the City Club of Chicago. He said he plans to meet with Gov. Bruce Rauner in the coming days and that “we need to be competitive” in pursuing the company.
News-Gazette: State's economy teeters on edge
Illinois needs an economic climate friendly to all job creators, not just a favored few.
Gov. Bruce Rauner this week signed legislation that restores a business tax incentive program that’s aimed at encouraging businesses — both large and small — to invest in Illinois.
Called the EDGE program — Economic Development for a Growing Economy — the legislation reinstates a program that expired in January 2017 and continues it until June 30, 2022.
Chicago Tribune: 'Tiny houses' considered for Chicago's homeless
So-called tiny houses could be part of the answer to homelessness in Chicago, and Catholic Charities wants to build a few of the small homes on the South Side for veterans, aldermen were told Tuesday.
The City Council held a hearing about tiny houses after powerful Southwest Side Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, introduced a resolution for the city to consider them. The homes measure about 160 square feet, and builders say they can be completed in less than two weeks.
Northwest Herald: Woodstock City Council votes to implement 1 percent home rule sales tax
The city of Woodstock will see a sales tax increase
Jan. 1 after City Council members decided Tuesday to implement a 1 percent home rule sales tax.
City officials first began to discuss the tax in July, a month after Woodstock became a home rule community. A public hearing was held Aug. 1 on the proposed tax, and residents had mixed reactions.
Daily Herald: Bonds for Longmeadow toll bridge said to be no risk to Kane taxpayers
Kane County transportation officials nullified a long-standing fear Tuesday about the tollway portion of the Longmeadow Parkway, saying no scenario puts taxpayers on the hook if drivers don’t use the toll bridge.
The county board’s transportation committee moved forward with plans to update the traffic and revenue projection study last completed in 2009. The update will cost about $489,000.
Rockford Register-Star: Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office plans layoffs
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office sent letters to reserve deputies today informing them of layoffs at the end of the month.
“We regret to inform you that your reserve deputy position with Sheriff’s Office of Winnebago County is being reduced,” the letter from Sheriff Gary Caruana reads. “Budgetary constraints have dictated a reorganization within the office, and, therefore you are being placed on layoff, effective September 30, 2017.”
Bloomington Pantagraph: County tax rate up slightly despite budget drop
McLean County is on track for a slightly higher tax rate but a lower overall budget for 2018 — both rarities for the county government.
The tax rate would rise from from 91.399 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation to 91.414 cents, costing the owner of a home valued at $165,000 another 9 cents per year in property taxes. It’s the second increase in three years after the county tax rate was steady from 2010 to 2015.
Fox Illinois: AFSCME pickets for contract progress with the Sangamon County Board
Dozens of AFSCME members were picketing outside the Sangamon County Complex Tuesday evening.
It’s their first one in two years.