Ggambling as a whole has actually increased statewide by a significant margin — from $1.651 billion in 2012 to $3.031 billion in 2019. Given the legislature’s decision last year to dramatically expand gambling in Illinois, those revenues seem certain to continue to increase. At the same time, it is unclear who will benefit from the expansion.

The inspector general couldn’t sustain the allegation that Preckwinkle’s office failed to act on the complaint of sexual harassment against the employee, concluding that staffers “responded appropriately and according to the County policies, rules, and regulations as to the confirmed acts of sexual harassment by the subject Special Assistant against the victim.”

A report published by Democrats on the agriculture committee showed that southern cotton farmers received more money per acre than Midwest soybean farmers who were harder hit. First-round payments in Illinois averaged $69 per acre, with the highest county, Piatt, at $87. In contrast, 163 counties in those five southern states saw payments above $87 per acre, including 13 that saw the maximum $150 per acre.

While some say the mandate would create jobs, Josh Sharp with the Illinois Petroleum Marketer’s Association responded, “I would characterize it as a typical Springfield solution to creating jobs, which is to mandate it. What we need is a more economically competitive environment in this state to create jobs.”

The report shows tax revenues to Illinois state government increased by more than $3 billion, to $77.9 billion in 2019. Total expenses were also up, from $80.3 billion in 2018 to $81.5 billion in 2019. The largest amount of revenue, outside of money from the federal government, is income taxes.

Despite other proposals to change the state constitution, such as to amend the pension protection clause, create a nonpartisan legislative map-making commission, or impose term limits, only one constitutional amendment is set to be in front of voters in November, and that’s the proposal to change Illinois’ flat income tax to a structure with higher rates on higher earners. That passed the General Assembly along party lines last year.

Respondents are said high quality public schools are more important than lowering taxes, reforming the state’s pensions, reducing violence, and balancing the state’s budget, a constitutional requirement.

For the first time since news broke last summer that federal investigators had subpoenaed Exelon and subsidiary ComEd in their probe of Illinois political corruption, the company is explicitly warning investors that it could be subject to criminal or civil penalties.

Orphe Divounguy, chief economist at the Illinois Policy Institute, said, “As the number of residents and workers leaving the region continues to increase and outnumber those entering the region, one of our primary economic assets — people — diminishes, undermining the region’s economic growth and competitiveness.”

In 2018, the city implemented mandatory furloughs to replenish $1.6 million back into the city’s reserves after years of burning through savings in the wake of Caterpillar layoffs and the company’s 2017 corporate headquarters relocation.

An actuary’s perspective.

Elmhurst pays the lowest administration fees for its police pension fund among 11 suburbs surveyed. Hinsdale pays the highest.