Illinois needs to gain more ground in putting its fiscal house in order as a burdensome pension tab, population losses, and economic uncertainty threaten progress that has driven a round of positive rating actions. That’s the assessment offered by the legislature?s non-partisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability in its annual three-year budget forecast.

Local governments could see an additional $500 million dollars for their share of state income taxes, something that could help fund local services and control local taxes.

The Local Government Distributive Fund, or LGDF, was instituted when the state implemented an income tax decades ago. The LGDF sends a percentage of state income taxes back to local governments as a way to keep local governments from implementing their own income taxes.

Legislation giving only vaccinated school staff the benefit of taking COVID-related sick time as administrative leave rather than sick time could soon head to the governor’s desk.

“Instead of being a man and putting his name on these false attacks, Governor Pritzker chooses to hide behind political insider groups by forcing them to meddle into the GOP primary on his behalf,” Durkin said.

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said Republicans have been frozen out of negotiations. He expects large amounts of spending supported by federal tax dollars that Democrats will tout as a great accomplishment. Durkin also said despite House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, saying it’s a “new day” after replacing former longtime Speaker Michael Madigan, Democrats will be taking up what Durkin called the Madigan model to budgeting.

In the Land of Lincoln, gas taxes are the second highest in the nation. Residents close to the borders are taking advantage of neighboring states’ lower rates. Currently, Illinois’ average gallon of fuel costs $4.49, according to AAA. In Wisconsin, it’s $3.95. Iowa’s average is $3.88 and Missouri is even cheaper. Most of that difference is due to taxes. On top of a state gas tax, Illinois also allows local motor fuel and sales taxes.

A number of Illinois housing provider groups are pushing for a “no” vote on legislation that would require landlords to participate in the federal Section 8 housing program by amending the state’s Homeless Prevention Act.

Graduates from Illinois colleges and universities may soon be able to access their transcripts even if they still owe money to the school they attended. The Illinois House on Tuesday gave its approval to a bill that had already cleared the Senate prohibiting higher education institutions from refusing to provide copies of student transcripts either to the current or former student or that student’s current or prospective employer.

Loitering, drinking on public property, fights, shootings — they’re all issues police would typically handle, except for one problem. Champaign police don’t have enough officers to provide extra patrols in the downtown area, where incidents such as these have been occurring. The city’s proposed solution for now: hiring private security officers to address safety and nuisance concerns on the busiest nights for downtown bars and restaurants.

The Democratic Governors Association is pouring $728,000 into a statewide advertising blitz focused on the Illinois Republican race for governor. The first ad ran early this morning. It’s a 30-second spot that targets Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s career as a defense attorney (after he was a prosecutor) and questions his decision to represent “violent criminals” accused of domestic abuse, child pornography and sexual assault in the past. The goal is to rev up Republicans to vote for Darren Bailey, or maybe any of the other GOP candidates, over Irvin. There’s nothing Republicans hate more than a candidate who’s not tough

A proposed state law to strengthen environmental protections for low-income communities appears to be dead for a second-straight legislative session as lawmakers fear the wrath of business groups in an election year. Environmental groups say a law is needed to slow the addition of pollution sources in communities already overwhelmed with bad air and other hazards. The businesses say the proposal adds red tape and fees that will kill jobs. The idea of an “environmental justice” law was supported by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last year but a bill was never debated in 2021. The same bill now lacks enough votes