Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Madigan ally doesn't want jury to hear about 'rape in Champaign' email
An ally of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan doesn’t want a jury to hear about a 2012 email he sent that mentioned an alleged rape in Champaign and fraudulent payroll practices.
Michael McClain, a former state lawmaker, longtime lobbyist and close confidante of Madigan, asked the judge in his corruption trial to bar any evidence related to the email. McClain’s attorneys also want to bar any mention of the $23 million that AT&T Illinois paid to the federal government as part of a 2022 deferred prosecution agreement related to the company’s efforts to influence Madigan.
Chicago Sun-Times: Income tax ‘surcharge,’ other measures needed to pay down pensions, business group says
Illinois lawmakers have shown fiscal discipline lately, but politically toxic tax increases must be considered to fully fund pensions and improve the state’s credit rating, senior business leaders in Chicago said in a report Wednesday.
The report by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago said it could support income tax “surcharges” for people and companies, lasting 10 years, provided the additional revenue is earmarked mostly for pensions.
CBS Chicago: Illinois lawmakers propose child tax credit for low- and middle-income families
Lawmakers in Springfield are hoping a proposed child tax credit can help working families.
Under legislation recently introduced to the Illinois General Assembly, low- and middle-income families would receive a $700 income tax credit for each child under age 17.
Capitol News Illinois: What to know ahead of Pritzker’s budget proposal to lawmakers
Gov. JB Pritzker’s second-term legislative agenda will kick off in earnest next week as he proposes his fifth annual state budget to lawmakers in the General Assembly.
But while a governor’s proposal usually provides the framework for the state’s annual spending plan, it rarely makes it through the General Assembly untouched by lawmakers who have their own spending priorities.
The Center Square: U.S. Department of Labor to tighten independent contractor rules
More small businesses could get caught misclassifying regular workers as independent contractors.
This spring, the U.S. Department of Labor is expected to tighten the classifications of employees. Small businesses that have been using loopholes to designate their workers as gig workers rather than regular employees could face stricter scrutiny.
WCIA: New study brings light to problem facing Central Illinois parents
Many families know the struggle of juggling work and childcare. It’s not a new issue. But a new study shows how much it is impacting the US economy.
A new study from non-profit, ReadyNation, reports the US economy is losing $122 billion dollars a year when parents miss work from inadequate childcare.