A group of community partners are collaborating on a new Master Plan for Downtown Springfield and the Mid-Illinois Medical District. The plan is intended to create a set of policies and programs that direct future growth and development. Additionally, the creation of a master plan can lead to strategies that will help guide community leaders as […]
Government
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Bill seeks pay raise for tipped workers
By Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois A bill in the Illinois House would do away with the sub-minimum wage paid to waitresses, bartenders and other tipped service workers. Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 5139 last month. If the bill becomes law, workers who supplement their wages with tips will receive the state’s minimum wage starting […]
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House to return to Springfield Thursday for further energy negotiations
By Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois The Illinois House is scheduled to return to Springfield Thursday to try again at passing an elusive energy regulation overhaul days after the governor’s office announced support for a new proposal. It’s the latest push for a legislative accomplishment that has eluded Gov. JB Pritzker in his three years […]
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Architecture firm selected for renovation of the State Armory Building
The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) has selected Tilton, Kelly + Bell, as the preferred architectural design firm for the renovation of the State Armory Building in Springfield. CDB will oversee the project’s design and construction in accordance with the protocol for state-appropriated projects. Through Governor JB Pritzker’s capital plan, Rebuild Illinois, nearly $122 million […]
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State comptroller’s office now has option to purchase current building or move
With a lease expiring in June, the state comptroller’s office has won legislative approval for a new deal that could result in relocation within the capital city. One option is to buy the building at 323 West Adams St. where comptroller employees have worked for 40 years. Under the expiring lease, the state is paying […]
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Restaurant loses appeal over COVID-19 restrictions
FoxFire Restaurant will appeal decision to state Supreme Court. By Sarah Mansur, Capitol News Illinois An appeals court has handed down a favorable ruling to Gov. JB Pritzker in a legal challenge to his administration’s restrictions on bars and restaurants to curb the spread of COVID-19. The 2nd District Appellate Court overruled a Kane County judge’s […]
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State fast-tracking $25 million for local government construction projects
Capital plan money to go to projects that can begin within 90 days By Rebecca Anzel, Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois department tasked with the state’s economic development launched a program Tuesday providing grant funding to local governments for capital projects. Its aim, said Michael Negron, assistant director of the Department of Commerce and […]
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Businesses reopening too soon could lead to liability issues
By Rich Miller Gov. JB Pritzker has repeatedly said he’s delegating enforcement of his stay-at-home order to local governments. That stance has frustrated some folks who want him to get tougher with violators (although he’d undoubtedly risk making martyrs out of them if he did crack down hard). And the governor’s position seems to have […]
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State of Illinois privatizes real estate services
By David Blanchette The State of Illinois is dipping a toe into the pond of privatizing its real estate management services, and if the initial foray works it could mean an $845 million, 10-year plunge involving 22 million square feet of property and 683 state-owned, leased and surplus facilities. The Illinois Department of Central Management […]
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Rauner vetoes creation of state-run workers’ comp insurer
By Patrick Yeagle Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday vetoed earlier this month a bill which would have created a state-run insurance provider for workers’ compensation. The veto comes amid debate over whether private insurers bilk employers through allegedly outsize premiums. In 2011, Illinois adopted several changes to its workers’ compensation system, including lowering reimbursement for […]
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Minimum wage hike likely dead after Rauner veto
By Patrick Yeagle Gov. Bruce Rauner last week vetoed a bill which would have raised the statewide minimum wage to $15 per hour. The bill’s sponsors vow an override vote attempt, but it likely lacks enough support to reach the required three-fifths majority. Among other provisions, Senate Bill 81 would have raised the current $8.25 […]
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Illinois renews ‘angel investment’ tax credit for tech
By Patrick Yeagle Illinois renewed a tax credit last week aimed at spurring investment in new technology companies. The previous “angel investment” tax credit expired at the end of last year, but on Aug. 24, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law renewing it through 2021. Angel investment loosely refers to individuals or groups using their […]