-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
State lawmakers in the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee may or may not come up with an official revenue estimate to include in the budgeting process for the spending plan that begins this summer. But committee leaders from both sides of the aisle want to give appropriations committees a solid revenue estimate for the coming budget.
Only New York and San Francisco have higher construction costs than the Chicago market, according to a report from Jones Lang LaSalle. Construction costs here have risen 31.6 percent over the past decade, more than any other metro area in the Midwest but less than several others in the country, especially those on the West Coast, the report shows.
Chicago’s CFO Bennett: “On Tuesday, the Sun-Times published an article titled “Chicago water bill collections plummet without threat of shut-offs.” The story was patently false and not supported by data. The article states that there was a $20 million decline in water revenues in November. However, this seasonality in collections happens every year. This reduction is due to non-metered residents paying their bills semi-annually, with one of those payments happening in October, not due to lower collection rates. This was information that the city comptroller’s office communicated to the Sun-Times, but the paper ignored.”
“So if you wish to stop gerrymandering in Illinois, it appears you have two options: (a) elect holy angels; or (b) amend the Illinois Constitution.”
“The junk-rated Chicago Board of Education has been counting on higher state aid after Illinois’s new evidence-based funding formula became law in August 2017, sending more aid to districts with lower resources”
“Higher taxes on businesses is the last thing our state needs. Illinois needs continuous new business investment that leads to stronger economic growth and job creation, but Pritzker’s fair tax would do the opposite by repelling businesses and capital.”
Aldermen never had prerogative over the Zoning Board of Appeals, which is tasked with doling out the special-use zoning permits pot companies need to open. While aldermen used to be able submit a letter of opposition and have an unfavorable applicant stricken from the ZBA’s agenda, they aren’t sure how to assert their influence now.
The Rebuild Illinois Act, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed in 2018 to improve state infrastructure, proposes $23 billion in spending on road repairs alone. The total budget of $41 billion will be partly funded by taxes on gas and vehicle registration.
“While progress has been made and we remain steadfast in our commitment to implementing sustainable reform, we are not yet where we want to be in many areas of the consent decree. Deadlines have been missed. Compliance has yet to be achieved in several important areas.”
“I don’t need or want a rubber-stamp City Council. I think that undermines the legitimacy of all government when that happens,” the mayor said.
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