State of Illinois

Local State of Illinois

State, national unemployment spikes amid COVID-19 outbreak

More than 114,000 Illinoisans file new claims in one week By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — More than 114,000 workers in Illinois filed first-time unemployment claims in the week ending March 21 as the United States saw its biggest one-week spike in recorded history. 3.2 million workers filing for […]

Local State of Illinois

Local governments call for increase in state revenue sharing

By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A local government advocacy group laid out its legislative agenda Monday and called on lawmakers to fully fund a program that shares state income tax revenue with local municipalities.  The Illinois Municipal League’s “Moving Cities Forward” agenda also includes efforts to: protect local […]

Local State of Illinois

Proposed bill would mandate K-12 sex education

BY DANI TIETZdani@mahometnews.com Senate Bill 2762 could mandate “inclusive, medically accurate, and culturally appropriate comprehensive sex education” for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade if it becomes law. Presented by sponsors Senator Ram Villivalam (Democrat District 8) and Representative Kathleen Willis (Democrat District 77), the bill would require the […]

Local State of Illinois

First month’s legal marijuana sales generate $7.3 million in tax revenue

photo by Jerry Nowicki – Capitol News Illinois By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Revenue reported Monday that the first month of legalized adult-use cannabis sales in the state generated $7.3 million in cannabis tax revenue for the state, plus another $3.1 million in retail […]

Local State of Illinois

Proposed bills add sexting and e-cigs to school curriculum

By JERRY NOWICKIand PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Two bills that would add the risks of e-cigarette use and sexting to public school curriculum will head to the full Illinois House of Representatives after unanimously passing a committee Wednesday, Feb. 19 The House education curriculum committee heard testimony about House Bills 4007 and 3928, […]

Local State of Illinois

Pritzker paints two budget pictures: One with graduated tax, one without

By JERRY NOWICKIand PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker has tied his second-year state budget proposal to the unfinished marquee policy initiative of his first year – a constitutional amendment that allows the state to impose higher income tax rates on higher income earners. If voters approve […]

Local State of Illinois

Proposed bill would require sixth-grade Illinois students to get HPV vaccine

The Illinois Rules Committee is currently reviewing HB4870, which would amend the Communicable Disease Prevention Act to require students entering sixth grade in the State of Illinois to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and requiring confirmation that the student has completed the series of HPV vaccinations upon entering the […]