Springfield News


  • OCT 24, 2019
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    Diversity in pension fund investment managers has improved, but senators push for more

    Since Illinois began tracking the amount of women- and minority-owned investment managers who profit from investing the many pension funds in Illinois, most funds have made significant progress toward meeting goals set in 1993, lawmakers were told Wednesday.

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  • OCT 23, 2019
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    Chicago’s property tax rates jumped significantly during past decade, but places like Harvey bearing the brunt: report

    Between 2008 and 2017, Chicago’s residential effective tax rate increased by 32.5 percent, while its commercial effective tax rate increased by 69.3 percent in the last decade, according to a new report by the Civic Federation.

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  • OCT 22, 2019
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    ‘If you’re only relying on tax credits, then you’re probably giving away too much’: DCEO head

    Erin Guthrie [Submitted]
    The state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is adding staff to lead efforts to expand broadband access and launch the state’s cannabis industry, agency Director Erin Guthrie said Monday.

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  • OCT 22, 2019
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    Illinois’ newest bonds still stable, still nearly junk

    As Illinois prepares to sell $600 million worth of bonds in early November, Fitch Ratings Inc. on Monday formally rated the debt as BBB and stable — the same as the rest of the state’s general obligation bonds — but indicated an upgrade is not likely any time soon.

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  • OCT 21, 2019
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    Supreme Court upholds revenge porn law, clearing way for trial of former State Rep.

    The Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield. [Hannah Meisel/The Daily Line]
    A majority of justices on the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday upheld Illinois’ revenge porn criminal statute, ruling against a woman who distributed nude photos of a neighbor her ex-fiance flirted with during their relationship.

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  • OCT 21, 2019
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    Aldermen to turn up heat on state lawmakers over bill designed to fight climate change

    Aldermen are set to turn up the heat on Gov. JB Pritzker and other lawmakers Monday over a bill that would set a deadline to move Illinois to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 as part of an effort to fight climate change.

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  • OCT 18, 2019
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    Elections Board wants omnibus bill to pass in veto session, but sponsor isn’t sure

    The State Board of Elections is pushing for the return of an omnibus bill designed to improve election security, help with the 2020 Census count and spare low-dollar candidates from costly audits during the legislature’s Fall Veto Session.

    However, the bill’s sponsor has not committed to that timeline.

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  • OCT 17, 2019
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    With 5 months until primary election, authorities working to secure voting

    A program that offers cybersecurity expertise to the state’s 108 local election authorities in an effort to ensure election security will continue “indefinitely,” according to Illinois’ top elections official.

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  • OCT 16, 2019
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    As sprawling corruption investigation rattles lawmakers, here’s who, what and where the feds are focusing on

    In the weeks since FBI and IRS agents raided the home, Cicero and Springfield offices of State Sen. Marty Sandoval (D-Chicago) and swiftly turned their attention to the village halls of McCook and Lyons, it has become clear that a sprawling corruption investigation is underway — one that has the power to reshape Illinois politics.

    But as the raids multiply — and more politicians are targeted — it has become a challenge with keeping all the players and the issues straight. This encyclopedia will be updated developments occur. 

    Federal agents are examining at least seven towns — as indicated by the existence of “Municipality 7” mentioned in the search warrant for Sandoval’s Springfield office, which instructed agents to collect documents related to its president and attorney. 

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  • Sophie Quinton
    April Simpson
    OCT 14, 2019

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    Cannabis banking challenges go beyond pot

    article-image

    Kat Merryfield was ready to share her farm-to-home oils, chocolates and creams with the rest of the country. But banks and credit card processors weren’t ready to work with her small business.

    “We started out our website with PayPal, and it took about six months before they shut us down,” Merryfield said. “And then they seized our money.”

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