As Illinois lawmakers prepare to vote on a constitutional amendment to change the state’s flat income tax to a graduated one, debate on the topic continued Monday even with the legislature off for a two-week break.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Rep. Ilhan Omar says she’s faced increased death threats since President Donald Trump spread around a video that purports to show her being dismissive of the 2001 terrorist attacks. “This is endangering lives,” she said, accusing Trump of fomenting right-wing extremism. “It has to stop.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Noncitizen students and transgender individuals not eligible for federal student loan aid because they’ve failed to register for the selective service would be able to access tuition assistance in Illinois under a plan passed by the House.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

For all of the outcry and political promises to help property taxes, Illinoisans still pay the second highest rates in the nation.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

The Illinois Department of Human Services, which has one of the largest line items in the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, is seeking additional money to cover the cost of the state’s new minimum wage and expand access to child care assistance.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

The debate over how Illinois should tax income is getting heated amid reports that the Democrats, who control both chambers of the state legislature with supermajorities, may not have enough support to pass the graduated tax plan that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s is counting on to stabilize the state’s finances and pay for the promises he made on the campaign trail.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

After a week of heated protests and calls for her resignation, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and African-American leaders condemned Chicago’s police union and defended how the prosecutor’s office addressed an actor’s alleged hate crime hoax.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

In a period of a little over 24 hours this weekend, 24 people were shot in Chicago, including three children under 13 — and three of the adults shot died from their injuries, according to police

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois will become the eight state to raise the legal age to 21 to buy or use tobacco products after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed new legislation into law Sunday afternoon.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

CARBONDALE — In early 2018, former Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Carlo Montemagno was accused of nepotism for improperly hiring Melissa and Jeffrey Germain, his daughter and son-in-law. But an investigation into the hirings by the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General has found Montemagno’s superior, former Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn, was at fault.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.