Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Lawmakers explain 'shell bills' at the Illinois statehouse
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly return this week and with deadlines to move bills out of committee, legislation is expected to abound.
In the House and Senate, there are 6,545 bills filed for consideration. Many of those are what is referred to as a “shell bill.” State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, gave his take on shell bills.
Chicago Sun-Times: Data error blamed as thousands of Cook County homeowners got erroneous tax delinquency notices from banks
Thousands of Cook County homeowners could have received notices from their banks that they owe money on tax bills they already have paid, based on a computer glitch by a national data firm.
Daily Herald: Resident calls Bears tax break a 'stinker,' but Arlington Heights officials don't weigh in yet
Arlington Heights officials Monday declined to state a preference on pending state legislation that would give the Bears a massive property tax break at Arlington Park.
The so-called Payments in Lieu of Taxes legislation would place an assessment freeze of up to 40 years on the 326-acre property, and allow the Bears to make negotiated payments to local taxing bodies like school districts. Arlington Heights and Bears would do the negotiating, and the village would distribute the annual payments to the other local governments.
ABC 7: Chicago City Council sessions off to slower start in 2023, BGA finds
A recent analysis by the Better Government Association shows the Chicago City Council is off to a slower start in 2023.
According to city council recordings obtained by BGA policy, only 40% of time in session so far this year – or about two of every five hours between the opening and closing gavels – has been spent legislating. The other 60% was spent noting significant birthdays, retirements, tributes and other non-binding resolutions.
The Center Square: Opposition expressed to 'rent control' bills in Springfield
Rent control is seemingly an annual issue at the Illinois statehouse, and although past efforts have failed, the discussion is starting up again.
One measure creates the Rent Control Act, which provides that no more than 12 months a landlord may increase the rent by a rate no greater than 15%.
WCIA: Bill to change Illinois’ state flag filed
One state senator is trying to change the Illinois state flag after it has remained the same for decades.
State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) has a bill to create a 21-person committee of leaders to make recommendations to the General Assembly by September 2024.
Chicago Sun-Times: Indicted Ald. Carrie Austin gets head start on political retirement
An extraordinary era in Chicago politics ended quietly in late November when indicted Ald. Edward Burke (14th), the City Council’s longest-serving and most powerful alderperson, decided not to seek reelection to a record 15th term.