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The Center Square: Critics: Illinois Democrats' plan to force retailers to post 'tax relief' details is unconstitutional, election year propaganda
Budget bills introduced by Illinois Democrats in the waning hours of session and that were passed early Saturday will require private-sector retailers to notify consumers of temporary “tax relief” measures included in them. Critics say the requirements are an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights and forced campaign propaganda during an election year.
The budget will require gas stations to post stickers on pumps noting that an inflationary gas tax increase of about 2.2 cents a gallon that’s scheduled to go into effect July 1 has been suspended for six months. Retailers that refuse will face a $500 daily fine. Election Day, when Gov. J.B. Pritzker and all state legislative seats are on the ballot, is Nov. 8. Retailers that refuse to post the stickers through Election Day face fines of more than $65,500.
MyStateline.com: Illinois’ $46 billion budget headed to Gov. Pritzker’s desk
The new state budget is headed to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk after a marathon session at the statehouse Friday night.
The Illinois House adjourned just after 6 a.m. Saturday. Lawmakers applauded after they approved a $46 billion budget, which provides nearly $2 billion in tax relief.
Bloomberg: Illinois Legislators Approve $1 Billion More for Pension Buyouts
The Illinois Senate on Tuesday approved a bipartisan proposal to authorize selling $1 billion of debt to pay for pension buyouts in a bid to reduce the worst-rated state’s massive unfunded liability for its retirement systems.
The bill, which the House passed last month, would allow additional borrowing to extend a buyout option for many employees of the state, its universities and school systems. The debt would be on top of a previous authorization from 2018 to issue $1 billion of so-called pension-obligation-acceleration debt, most of which has been sold.
The Center Square: Pay raises for lawmakers, temporary tax cuts part of largest spending plan in Illinois history
Illinois state lawmakers gave themselves more than $485,000 in pay raises as they approved the largest spending plan in state history that includes around $1.8 billion in tax cuts.
It wasn’t until nearly 6 in the morning Saturday that state lawmakers finalized a plan out of both the House and Senate to tax and spend for the coming fiscal year.
FOX Illinois: Illinois Democrats support budget bills after early morning vote
Illinois Democrats express their support for the budget bills (HB900 & HB4700) after an early morning vote by the House of Representatives.