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Strip club tax could benefit Illinois rape crisis centers
May 16, 2012 By Stephanie Fryer | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — A revamped plan to tax Illinois strip clubs danced its way out of the Senate Public Health Committee on Wednesday. The revised legislation could require owners of strip clubs that serve alcohol or allow alcohol consumption to pay either a $3 fee per visitor, or a flat fee based on the establishment’s tax revenue.
IL Senate committee votes to send minimum-wage hike to the floor
By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — A plan to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to more than $10 per hour passed a Senate committee Wednesday, despite protests from business owners who said it will harm their ability to stay afloat in a tough economy. Proponents of Senate Bill 1565 say a minimum-wage hike will put more money in workers’ pockets, thus enabling them to spend more money at Illinois businesses.
IL Senate president proposes iGaming plan for the state
By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Senate President John Cullerton , asserting “time is of the essence,” wants lawmakers to approve his plan to regulate Internet gambling in Illinois before the legislative session ends May 31. The framework, the Chicago Democrat said, would position Illinois as a worldwide Internet gaming hub.
More potholes in Illinois’ future?
By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — Money meant for maintaining state highways could be paying for some of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s day-to-day expenses. Gov.
Enviro groups: IL coal-to-gas projects too costly for ratepayers
By Anthony Brino | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — The controversial Tenaska coal-to-gas power plant in central Illinois is in limbo, as environmental groups point to costs as a way to kill it and two similar projects. “These three plants represent the first time that the Legislature has mandated that specific power plants be built and that consumers pay for them,” said report co-author Martin Cohen, a consultant and former head of the Illinois Citizens Utility Board .
Priorities for IL women voters: Jobs and economy, not abortion
By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — As the country’s two main political parties continue to duke it out in the so-called “war on women,” women voters in Illinois say they believe the hubbub is merely a tool to distract from the bread-and-butter issues they care about. Jobs.
Week in Review: Pensions, health care take center stage in IL
By Anthony Brino | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — In a week foreshadowing drama to come in this legislative session’s final weeks, Illinois lawmakers passed a bill requiring retired government workers to pay for their health insurance. Meanwhile, Chicago ‘s mayor weighed in on the state’s pension crisis, a state representative accused of bribery proclaimed his innocence and a College Illinois! employee was accused of insider investing.
Illinois drivers soon can leave scenes of minor accidents
SPRINGFIELD — A measure that would allow Illinois drivers to leave the scene of minor crashes and move to a safer location is headed to Gov. Pat Quinn ’s desk.
Indicted IL politico uses Blago defense: Put all facts out there
By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News Indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith , D- Chicago , refused to answer questions from the Illinois House committee tasked with recommending whether he should be impeached.