In a historic vote, the Illinois House on Monday agreed to ask voters to change the 1970 state constitution by authorizing a graduated-rate tax based on the size of income and repealing the currently mandated flat-rate income tax.

The move came on a 73-44 party-line vote, two votes more than the bare minimum needed for approval. It represented a significant victory for first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who campaigned for election on the concept of taxing wealthier incomes at a higher rate as part of an overall plan to deal with Illinois’ ailing finances. Pritzker hailed the vote as “a giant leap forward for the middle class.”

How much more will we be paying in taxes after the Illinois legislature finishes its business on Friday?

Rep. David McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican, rattled off a list of various possible increases under consideration – on the state motor fuel tax, on streaming video services such as Netflix, on real estate transfers, on insurance, and others.

With the Illinois General Assembly poised to consider a tax hike on video gambling, some key lawmakers and their family members have developed previously undisclosed financial connections to the industry, meaning the fate of any proposal could lie in part on votes of legislators with a stake in the outcome.

They include two of the General Assembly’s most powerful figures, Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, a Republican from Bloomington, and Chicago Democrat Antonio Muñoz, the Senate assistant majority leader, according to Illinois Gaming Board records obtained by ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ.

A massive expansion of casino gambling in Illinois — a decade-long but futile legislative pursuit — was back with a boost Monday as a Democratic lawmaker took steps to make it part of a popular plan to legalize sports betting.

Rep. Robert Rita’s measure would allow construction of six additional casinos and added gambling seats at existing sites. The Blue Island Democrat said tacking it onto the sports wagering measure would neutralize the web of criticism that has hamstrung the expansion plan.

State lawmakers appear poised to vote on a sweeping bill they say will protect Illinois students from sexual abuse and assault at school following nearly a year of negotiations on the issue.

The strongest provisions aim to protect students from repeated interrogations by school officials when they report sexual abuse at school, allow them to avoid testifying in person against their alleged abusers at disciplinary hearings and permit school districts to warn prospective employers about educators’ past misconduct.

Chicago’s new mayor, Lori Lightfoot, went on the radio last week and said she understands residents in the city want her to “get s— done.”

The former federal prosecutor and political newcomer will face the first test of her ability to do just that when the City Council meets Wednesday.