Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Who covers EV charger costs for homes main focus of Illinois mandate
A law in Illinois soon requiring electric vehicle charging stations in the garage of new or renovated homes was signed into law earlier this year. While discussing a trailer bill during veto session, critics said the mandate will increase costs.
State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, filed Senate Bill 40. She said it puts Illinois on a path to having one million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030. The bill was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago Public Schools officials project $391 million deficit next year when COVID-19 relief funds run out
Chicago Public Schools officials will have to find $391 million in additional funding by next summer or face cuts across the school system in the face of a massive structural budget deficit.
District leaders and Board of Education officials for the past year have warned of a financial cliff approaching next school year when federal COVID-19 relief funding runs out. That money had papered over a structural deficit that officials estimate at $691 million for next year. With only $300 million in federal funding left to spend, CPS’ budget hole becomes exposed.
Chicago Tribune: Downstate utility, electrical workers union put effort to control transmission line construction on hold
Measures tied to organized labor were the focus at the Illinois Capitol Wednesday as the state House voted to allow legislative staffers to organize while a politically powerful union and a downstate energy company announced a temporary hold on efforts to pass a measure allowing the utility to build transmission lines without going through a competitive bidding process.
Supporters of legislation to give Ameren Illinois the right of first refusal to build transmission lines in its territory acknowledged Wednesday that they don’t have enough support in the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to override Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s veto of that portion of energy legislation approved in the spring.
Capitol News: House approves framework allowing legislative staff to unionize
Democrats in the Illinois House on Wednesday approved a measure to allow certain legislative staffers to unionize, following in the recent footsteps of lawmakers in California and Oregon.
House Bill 4148 passed 74-35 and now goes to the Senate, where leaders have not yet revealed whether they plan to take it up during lawmakers’ two-week fall session. The vote was the only significant action the House took this week before leaving Springfield and canceling Thursday’s session.