Voters in Decatur could soon be faced with a ballot question asking them if they would be willing to pay more in taxes to support the city’s police and fire departments.
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Capitol News Illinois: Restaurant asks Illinois Supreme Court to throw out indoor dining ban
Lawyers for a Kane County restaurant are asking the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court decision that found the governor’s indoor dining ban was lawfully imposed.
FoxFire Tavern is one of dozens of restaurants that sued Gov. JB Pritzker and his administration after he issued an executive order imposing stricter restrictions on businesses, including a ban on indoor dining and bar service, in response to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout the state.
Chicago Tribune: Editorial: Voters, tell Madigan’s enablers to do the right thing
If you’re keeping score at home, House Speaker Michael Madigan appears to be only a handful of votes shy of being reelected to the speakership in January.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Forty years in power embeds a great deal of favors, especially for dependent, weak-kneed lawmakers. Those sticking by him feel indebted to him. The question is, why don’t they feel indebted to you, the voters?
The Center Square: Illinois cities try to navigate Christmas during pandemic
Many towns in Illinois that are known for getting into the holiday spirit this time of year, and even with a COVID-19 pandemic, that spirit shines on.
During this pandemic, many Illinois towns have altered the way they celebrate Christmas. Community events like parades and Christmas gatherings have been canceled for revised to promote social distancing.
Capitol News Illinois: Bills would allow lawmakers to meet, vote remotely
Two lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow the General Assembly to meet and vote remotely during a pandemic or other emergency that makes in-person meetings dangerous.
Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Robert Martwick, both Chicago Democrats, filed the legislation Monday, saying the current inability to conduct business remotely has hindered lawmakers’ ability to respond to the health crisis.
Chicago Tribune: Cops involved in Anjanette Young raid placed on desk duty; Lightfoot says Black people nationwide ‘feel angry and feel violated’
The Chicago police officers involved in the botched raid of Anjanette Young’s home have been placed on desk duty, the latest measure by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration in response to the ongoing scandal.
Lightfoot, who said the reassignments were made by police Superintendent David Brown, also criticized the Civilian Office of Police Accountability for taking too long investigating the case, saying “justice delayed is justice denied.”
Chicago Sun-Times: Kim Foxx’s vision: Automatically erase more serious convictions for weed dealing, expunge cocaine or heroin arrests
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx detailed a bold vision for drug enforcement as she laid out a plan to automatically wipe clean the records of convicted weed dealers and opened the door to expunging offenses for heroin and cocaine possession.
In an exclusive interview with the Sun-Times, Foxx framed cannabis legalization as a “test balloon” for reexamining the country’s drug laws — and their toll on the communities that have suffered the most.
WBEZ: Illinois Gaming Board Seeks $5 Million Fine Against Major Video Gambling Company Accel Entertainment
The Illinois Gaming Board is seeking to levy a $5 million fine against Accel Entertainment, a west suburban-based company that has become one of the largest video gambling operators in the nation.
The complaint from state gambling regulators alleges the company entered into a deal with the online sports betting company DraftKings in order to pay commissions to business owners to entice them into putting Accel gambling machines in their establishments. It’s illegal for video gambling operators to offer “inducements” to try and drum up or maintain video gambling business, and regulators allege the $21,000 in commissions paid out by Accel violate the Illinois Gaming Act.
Shaw Media: Judge rules against McHenry Township Highway Commissioner’s challenge against huge tax levy cuts
A judge ruled against McHenry Township Highway Commissioner Jim Condon in a lawsuit Monday brought against the local government’s trustees over their decision to cut road district property tax levies by about 30% earlier this month.
With the decision by 22nd Judicial Circuit Associate Judge Kevin G. Costello, the township road district’s total tax levy of $2,095,000 approved by the trustees will for now remain below the $3 million levy Condon originally sought.
Herald & Review: Decatur council may seek voter support for upping property tax for fire, police
A discussion item on Monday evening’s Decatur City Council agendalooks at the idea of floating a referendum on the April ballot to gauge public interest in a special tax to support more “public safety staffing” along with rising cop and firefighter pension costs.
Shaw Media: Crystal Lake City Council approves flat property tax levy
The Crystal Lake City Council unanimously approved a flat property tax levy at its meeting Tuesday.
The city’s general operations – including city administration, police, community development, and public works – will continue to be supported primarily through sales and income tax revenues, according to council documents.