January 8, 2015 | Wirepoints

Monthly state revenue growth weak again for Illinois – WP Original

January 8, 2015 No Comments

By: Mark Glennon* The Illinois Commission on Governmental Forecasting and Accountability released its December report. As has been the trend, state revenues are not increasing materially, and in aggregate are down for the year. Comparing December 2014 to December 2013, state tax and fee receipts increased by $103 million or 3.2%. However, transfers to the state from the Federal government declined by $20 million, or about 7.9%. In total, including various refunds, state receipts increased by $72 million or 2.2% compared to December 2013. For the entire 2015 fiscal year to date (July through December 2014),

Emanuel lays out platform for CPS; says Springfield owes Chicago a solution – Chicago Tribune

January 8, 2015 No Comments

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-mayor-race-met-0109-20150108-story.html

Democrats pass special-election bill, cut term of Republican Comptroller in half – Sun-Times

January 8, 2015 No Comments

http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/273559/live-blog-illinois-lawmakers-begin-special-session/?utm_source=Chicago Sun-Times&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201588_HouseSpecialElection010815&utm_content=$LINK_KEYWORD$&dm_i=2JCP,4BJO,2KDDSB,95TF,1 So much for hopes that Democrats will work in good faith with the new governor. Republicans say they will sue. Who will represent the state? Mike Madigan’s daughter as A.G., of course.

Here’s How Illinois Demographics Have Changed Over 50 years – Huffington Post

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/reboot-illinois/how-illinois-demographics_b_6423714.html

Task force urges state health exchange for undocumented immigrants – Crain’s

January 8, 2015 No Comments

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150108/NEWS03/150109914

This unsexy company was Chicago’s top tech stock of 2014 – Crain’s

January 8, 2015 No Comments

Comment: Hat tip to local entrepreneur Ron Gavillet, who founded Neutral Tandem, now called Inteliquent. Ten years ago, he sat at his kitchen table and sketched out the idea for the company and its patents, which have helped bring down telecom costs for all of us. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150108/BLOGS11/150109934

Illinois Enacts Automatic IRAs; Is Federal Mandate Coming? – Forbes

January 8, 2015 No Comments

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehopkins/2015/01/07/automatic-enrollment-iras-first-government-mandated-automatic-ira-is-enacted-in-illinois/

Winter in Chicago – The Economist

January 8, 2015 No Comments

“Chicago’s homeless are being looked after…. But it would be so much better if there were far fewer who need emergency shelter.” via Winter in Chicago: Bracingly, bitterly windy | The Economist.

What we do is worth the risk – Scott Stantis

January 8, 2015 No Comments

Chicago Tribune cartoonist Scott Stantis received a threat that included this: “After I kill you, I’m going to kill your two kids.” via What we do is worth the risk – Chicago Tribune.

Illinois lawmakers begin special session – A.P.

January 8, 2015 No Comments

http://jg-tc.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-lawmakers-begin-special-session/article_13a52ce5-bdec-52c7-96cc-065c2376d325.html

Chicago Cubs reach deal with WGN-TV for remaining 45 broadcasts – Chicago Business Journal

January 8, 2015 No Comments

Apparently, the Chicago Cubs can’t ditch WGN-Channel 9 that easily, as the team and network appear set to announce a deal to broadcast 45 games per season through 2019. http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/01/07/cubs-reach-deal-with-wgn-tv-for-remaining-45.html

Illinois Ancestors: Chicago maps are accessible online – News-Gazette

January 8, 2015 No Comments

Cartographer Dennis McClendon’s “labor of love” is a website called Chicago in Maps that makes it easy to find a variety of maps of that city. http://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/local/2015-01-07/illinois-ancestors-chicago-maps-are-accessible-online.html

Reports: Illinois could help boost struggling nuclear plants – A.P.

January 8, 2015 No Comments

Illinois could help prevent Exelon Corp. from closing nuclear plants by adopting policies that penalize competitors that emit carbon dioxide, including coal-fired power plants, according to a report released Wednesday by several state agencies. http://www.sunherald.com/2015/01/07/6005187_reports-illinois-could-help-boost.html?rh=1

For Illinois, ‘unusual’ role models pave path to reform – Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

January 8, 2015 No Comments

When it comes to criminal justice system reforms, the Land of Lincoln could be looking to more politically conservative counterparts in the south, such as Georgia, Mississippi and Texas. http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/Articles/2015/01/07/IL-Criminal-Code-Report-01-07-15.aspx

Dick Durbin: Time to raise gas tax – POLITICO

January 8, 2015 No Comments

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, filling in as Democratic leader while Sen. Harry Reid recuperates from an exercise injury, offered the most enthusiastic endorsement from a congressional leader yet this year on raising the gas tax. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/gas-tax-senate-dick-durbin-114049.html

Why Illinois May Become a National Model for Retirement Saving – Money.com

January 8, 2015 No Comments

In what may emerge as a standard for all states, Illinois is introducing a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan for most residents who do not have such a plan at work. http://time.com/money/3656560/retirement-saving-illinois-model/