Two Representatives want the Illinois Department of Employment Security to open offices across the state. Representatives Dave Vella and Joe Sosnowski introduced the bipartisan resolution asking the state to reopen local IDES offices. The offices were closed because of the pandemic. Many of those filing unemployment claims have experienced difficulties receiving their benefits. Widespread fraud has also been an issue.

Local mayors from across Illinois say they cannot afford another budget cut from state government. A number of local leaders yesterday held a virtual news conference to push back on Governor JB Pritzker’s plan to cut what’s known as Local Government Distributive Funds. That’s the local share of Illinois’ income tax. Local governments used to get 10-percent of the sales tax money, but they get six percent now. Governor Pritzker wants to cut that even further.