-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
The current total of Illinoisans working is just 1.7% higher than it was 23 years ago. In other words, the number of jobs held in Illinois is essentially no better than it was in 2000, lagging badly behind employment growth for the nation and all but one of our neighboring states.
HB219 changes the Illinois Wrongful Death Act and Survival Act by allowing plaintiffs for the first time in the state’s history to tack potentially massive punitive damage awards onto jury verdicts against defendants targeted by personal injury lawsuits that also allege wrongful death against people and businesses accused of engaging in reprehensible, reckless or intentional conduct. One attorney said the law could have a bearing on product-liability cases, particularly in lawsuits in the state’s massive docket of personal injury claims related to asbestos.
The $20 million Illinois Grocery Initiative will support existing grocers and also help encourage new grocers by allowing stores receiving grants to be able to receive tax credits and other incentives. The governor said 20% of the initiative will help stores replace aging equipment with energy-efficient alternatives to help keep costs down and help keep their doors open.
“None of us have the resources for this. We do not have health departments. We do not have that kind of stuff,” Mayor Keith Pekau said. “[Gov. JB Pritzker] has called us a sanctuary state, right? Here’s the deal, at the state level, the state has been ripping all the municipalities off by the Local Government Distributive Fund since prior to Pritzker.”
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