A growing debate over how tipped income is taxed in Illinois has resurfaced as state Rep. Regan Deering introduced legislation aiming to align Illinois law with the federal “No Tax on Tips” policy. State officials previously said Illinois would not adopt the federal exemption, citing concerns that exempting gratuities could create an unequal tax burden.

The FBI is investigating former Carlyle Police Chief Mark Pingsterhaus, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, for possible wire fraud and theft of federal funds, according to the search warrant. The FBI rents space in the Carlyle police station in downstate Clinton County.

Pritzker also wants lawmakers to extend the state’s pension buyout program for another two years through fiscal year 2028. The program has already been extended twice since it was created in 2018 and has reduced the state’s pension liability by $2.9 billion, according to the governor’s office. They predict extending the program will reduce the unfunded liability by another $1.4 billion.

“I am a Chicago Public Schools’ high school teacher, a member of the CTU and a parent with kids that attended both public and private schools. These experiences have showed me that all schools need the proper materials and personnel to offer a quality education, and all parents should be awarded the opportunity to make the choice that is best for their children.”

The amended complaint adds the U.S Department of the Interior as a defendant, accusing the department of illegally bypassing requirements in the National Environmental Protection Act and Endangered Species Act when permitting fossil fuel projects. Such energy sources as wind, solar, and batteries are not being given the same preferential treatment, the attorneys general said.

“For years, Illinois has refused to mandate voter ID, a commonsense election integrity measure. The State also insists on counting mail-in ballots received long after election day, a controversial practice that is subject to ongoing litigation,” states a letter sent by Illinois Republican congressmen.

As a federal judge in Chicago prepares to hear Illinois’ and Chicago’s lawsuit seeking to all but halt ICE and Border Patrol immigration enforcement actions in the state, a Minnesota federal judge has ruled a nearly identical legal action brought by that state and its largest cities will likely fail as an unconstitutional attempt to use the courts to give states veto power over federal immigration enforcement.

Jim Dey: “Durbin committed a major faux pas thanks to the image he chose to use to illustrate his speech about the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minnesota. … But while graphic — the photo depicts an execution — it wasn’t exactly flawless. One of the three ICE officers shown in the photo lacks a head, for instance, an absence the apparently failed to attract Durbin’s curiosity.