Category: State of Illinois
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New distracted driving law goes into effect on July 1
Beginning July 1, the Illinois secretary of state will be able to revoke driving privileges for one year when a driver causes “great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement” due to use of an electronic communication device. The offense is also subject to a minimum $1,000 fine. Electronic communication devices include hand-held wireless telephone, hand-held… Read more
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Unemployment rate 15.2 percent in May; state on pace to enter Phase 4 on June 26
By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 15.2 percent in May, according to the state Department of Employment Security, representing a 2 percent drop from the previous month. Nonfarm payrolls added 62,200 jobs in May based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job losses for… Read more
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Illinois residents can now preregister online for driver’s license or identification card
In an attempt to cut down on wait times and long lines at the DMV, Secretary of State Jesse White announced that Illinois residents can preregister online when applying for a driver’s license or identification card. Customers may go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com to access the preregistration application for driver’s licenses and ID cards and input specific… Read more
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Pritzker expands vote by mail, makes election day a state holiday
By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday. In a news release, Pritzker’s office… Read more
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Slight increase in Illinois motor fuel tax scheduled for July 1
The Illinois gas tax will increase again on July 1, 2020. The automatic increase is part of the 2019 legislative session that doubled the motor fuel tax—from $.19 to $.38 as part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s $45 billion Rebuild Illinois plan. The law also allows for the tax to increase with inflation In each subsequent… Read more
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Pritzker signs budget, touts spending of federal funds on child care grants
Financial uncertainty still swirls as COVID-19 continues to impact tax revenues By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a state budget for fiscal year 2021 Wednesday, but there is no more financial clarity now than there was when lawmakers passed the measure last month. The $42.9 billion operating budget relies upon… Read more
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New Illinois jobless claims slow in last week of May
State revenues fall 23% during the month By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — While new unemployment claims remained historically high in the final week of May, the surge of new claims since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be starting to slow as a number of businesses begin to reopen after two… Read more
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Phase 3 Guidance on Illinois summer school released
By Dani Tietzdani@mahometnews.com The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released guidance on in-person instruction for summer school Thursday. Part Two of the Transition Plan Advisory Workgroup’s recommendations for transitioning to in-person instruction provides recommendations for how schools can comply with IDPH health and safety requirements in Phase… Read more
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Pritzker allows sale of curbside cocktails
By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois restaurants and bars can serve cocktails to go Tuesday after Gov. JB Pritzker signed an initiative designed by lawmakers to provide establishments with financial relief in the wake of COVID-19 challenges. Those businesses are “some of the hardest hit” by the public health emergency, the… Read more
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Black Caucus: ‘Far too much to accomplish’ to let looting take away from message
‘Burned out storefronts and looted shops’ can’t be monument to George Floyd, leaders say By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus detailed their ongoing fight for racial equality and made calls for the end of looting at a news conference held at a recently-looted strip mall Tuesday on… Read more