Springfield News
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Gov. JB Pritzker’s office was the catalyst behind labor group AFL-CIO Illinois putting together a coalition to push for “vertical projects” — that is schools, public buildings and hospitals — to be included in a final capital bill, sources said.
Three sources confirmed to The Daily Line this week that Pritzker’s office set in motion the formation of Build Up Illinois, a coalition of 45 universities, health, housing and education associations and unions from around the state with vested interests in a “vertical” component to the first capital bill in a decade.
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Seven weeks after victims rights activist Denise Rotheimer and freshman State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) complained that their “victims’ bill of rights” had been blocked by House Democratic leadership, the pair said Wednesday that it will part of a larger ethics package.
Victims rights activist Denise Rotheimer, left, and freshman State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) tell reporters in March that their victims rights bill was being blocked by Democratic leaders. [Hannah Meisel/The Daily Line]
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A comprehensive package of energy bills faces a tough path to make it to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk before the end of spring legislative session, especially with another major energy company putting forward its own bill earlier this month.
A coalition of groups and lawmakers unveiled an ambitious bill to move Illinois to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. [Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition]
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Opponents of Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal to hike taxes on the video gaming industry on Thursday offered a counter-proposal, which it estimates will bring in more than the $89 million from the tax increase the governor needs to balance the state budget.
Charts displayed at a House committee hearing Thursday make the case for allowing increase in the maximum number of video gaming terminals an establishment can own from five to six and an increase in the maximum bet from $2 to $4. [Hannah Meisel/The Daily Line]
However, it’s unclear whether serious consideration of the proposal would invite traditional gaming interests to pile on their own requests.
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When Illinois’ video gaming industry went live in 2012, the extra bodies that began filling small taverns, American Legion and VFW halls eventually made up for the business that had slowed when the state banned smoking in nearly all establishments early in 2008.
But video gaming owners and operators this week will mobilize against Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed increase to Illinois’ 30 percent tax on video gaming terminals, descending on Springfield Wednesday to lobby lawmakers ahead of a Thursday hearing on the tax hike, which Pritzker’s administration is hoping to net $89 million more for the state next year.
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Credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service gave Gov. JB Pritzker’s push for a graduated income tax a mixed review on Monday, urging lawmakers to earmark an increase in tax revenues for the state’s $133.5 billion unfunded pension liability.
The ratings agency also warned the change could backfire if the economy slides into a recession.
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The push to legalize marijuana in Illinois that began in earnest more than two years ago took a major step forward Saturday as Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled a measure that would take effect Jan. 1.
Gov. JB Pritzker said he welcomed feedback on his proposal. [Twitter/@GovPrtizker]
But it remains unclear whether the marathon effort — launched in March 2017 by state Sen. Heather Steans (D-Edgewater) and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Rogers Park) — will make it over the finish line in less than a month.
A Tesla electric car. [Tesla]
