Comptroller, treasurer talk state’s fiscal state
Fiscal officers, budgeteer stress importance of balanced budget By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ top fiscal and investment officers touted some of the economic policy initiatives laid out by Gov. JB Pritzker in his State of the State speech Wednesday and stressed the importance of continuing to balance the budget. The…
Read MoreSenate bill would outlaw live animal prizes at Illinois carnivals
Aims to reduce abandoned pet population but could impact the fair experience By BEN ORNER Capitol News Illinois borner@capitolnewsillinois.com It is a mainstay of fairs and carnivals around the country: sink a ping pong ball into a fish bowl and win the goldfish swimming inside. But if a bill in the Illinois Senate becomes law,…
Read MoreMajor rehab of I-255 begins this weekend; several-month closure
A full closure of Interstate 255 in both directions between Interstate 64 and Interstate 55/70 begins Saturday for approximately five months. A subsequent phase of work will take 255 repairs into November. The Illinois Department of Transportation was joined by the Illinois State Police Tuesday to remind the public that the first phase of repairs…
Read MoreFormer senator to cooperate with federal investigators after bribery plea
By PETER HANCOCK, Capitol News Illinois, phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Former state Sen. Martin Sandoval entered a plea deal Tuesday in which he admitted to receiving more than $250,000 in bribes over a three-year period and filing a false tax return. In exchange for his plea, Sandoval (shown) agreed to cooperate with federal investigators in other…
Read MoreHey, that business is ours! Lawmakers seek end to states’ ‘corporate poaching’
New bill is part of national effort to phase out corporate tax incentives By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Two Democratic lawmakers unveiled legislation Tuesday to form a multi-state compact in which each member state would vow not to use company-specific tax incentives to lure businesses away from another member state. Rep.…
Read MoreState police say forensic evidence backlog shrinking, needs more work
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly and Robin Woolery, the assistant deputy director for ISP’s forensic science department, testify Tuesday before the Senate Public Health Committee in Springfield. The committee met to discuss the state’s backlog of untested forensic evidence. (Credit: blueroomstream.com) Advocates request spot on task force for victims’ families By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol…
Read MoreLongtime banker named president of First National Bank of Waterloo
The First National Bank of Waterloo and Robert Hoffmann, chairman of the Board, announced that Rick Parks will succeed Gary Hemmer as the bank’s president. “We are delighted to have Rick Parks join the First National Bank of Waterloo as the new president,” said Hoffmann. Parks will become the bank’s ninth president spanning the bank’s history…
Read MoreHouse Republicans tie ethics reforms to redistricting changes
GOP also pushing for greater financial disclosure by lawmakers, property tax reform By REBECCA ANZEL, Capitol News Illinois, ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Remodeling how Illinois’ political districts are drawn is the key to addressing the “dark cloud” of ethical violations hovering over state government, House Republican leaders said Tuesday. Communities are grouped “primarily for political advantage,”…
Read MoreScott AFB investing in talent pool for military, civilians
“Take Care of the Troops” serves as one of the five U.S. Transportation Command’s priorities at Scott Air Force Base, and a key component of the effort involves investing in the workforce. An office within the command’s Manpower and Personnel Directorate, the Human Capital Development Branch provides numerous education and personal-growth opportunities annually. For example,…
Read MoreEast St. Louis caretaker, accomplice indicted for defrauding elderly clients
A federal grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois has returned a nine-count indictment charging Erica S. Rose, 30, of East Saint Louis, and Ashley N. McKinney, 36, of Pheba, Miss., with conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and other felony offenses. According to the indictment, Rose used her employment…
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