Illinois lawmakers target e-cigarettes, vaping with array of measures

Lawmakers are back in Springfield and one matter the Senate is poised to take up would prohibit people younger than 21 from buying tobacco and e-cigarettes, but other measures targeting vaping products are also on the horizon.

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

Acting state ag director seeks funding for broadband in rural areas

Rural Illinois residents could be a step closer to getting access to high-speed internet access, but state leaders still need to come up with the money and a plan to make it happen.

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

Changes to 2020 census could make some Southern Illinois communities even harder to count

SPRINGFIELD — With up to two Illinois congressional seats and $1 billion or more in federal funding on the line if Illinois’ population is not correctly counted in the 2020 census, nonprofit groups warn that changes to the census format this year could exacerbate an undercount in already hard-to-reach communities.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Warren Buffett calls public pension debt a ‘disaster’

Legendary investor Warren Buffett said he wouldn’t “walk into liabilities” by expanding in states like Illinois or New Jersey, which carry billions in pension debt.

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

Critics say Pritzker’s progressive tax plan relies on faulty math

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s estimate of how much his progressive tax proposal would put into state coffers fails to consider that some people will take steps to avoid paying more in taxes, leading to a budget shortfall estimated to be in the billions, according to opponents of the governor’s tax plan.

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

After loss in mayor’s race, Susana Mendoza’s political future in limbo

Throughout her two-decade political career, Susana Mendoza has cast herself as a fighter who takes on tough battles and wins.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois one of two states to shrink since recession

Illinois is one of only two states that lost population over the past decade.

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

Bill proposes single license plate for Illinois vehicle owners

Illinois drivers would only need one license plate under terms of a bill moving forward in Springfield.

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

It’s time: Voters to pick from largest field of mayoral candidates in Chicago’s 181-year history

Chicago voters will head to the polls Tuesday to pick from a record 14 contenders to become the city’s next mayor, an exercise that almost certainly will narrow the field down to two finalists rather than decide an outright winner.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Southern Illinois state representative doesn’t want Chicago policies to spread

One of the four state lawmakers behind a bill that would split Chicago off from the rest of Illinois says that while the measure was designed to spark conversation, support for a split could gain support if policymakers continue to push Windy City policies on the rest of the state.

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

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