(SPRINGFIELD) In a state where its residents pay the second highest gas taxes in the nation, another increase is just weeks away in Illinois. While the “Rebuild Illinois” capitol plan approved in 2019 doubled the 19 cent gas tax to 38 cents and linked annual increases to the Consumer Price Index, the gas tax is set to increase again this coming July 1st, up to 48.3 cents per gallon. With the revenue generated from the motor fuel taxes mostly used to fund transportation-related infrastructure, legislation introduced by Illinois Republicans would temporarily halt fuel tax rate hikes linked to the Consumer Price Index.
(SPRINGFIELD) States across the country, including Illinois, have had their digital equity grant funding pulled after the federal government announced the program will be ending. The grant would have provided more than $23 million to statewide organizations to equip households with high-speed internet. Most of the homes included those in urban areas.
(CHICAGO) The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the City of Chicago for possible race-based hiring practices following comments made during a public speech this past Sunday by Mayor Brandon Johnson at a Chicago church. The mayor listed several officials he has hired, pointing out their race and titles, such as deputy mayors and the city’s chief operations officer. The Justice Department said it had reasonable cause to believe a pattern or practice of discrimination may be occurring, a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(MARION) Williamson County in southern Illinois is under a disaster declaration following a powerful tornado that touched down last Friday evening. Weather officials upgraded the twister to an EF-4 with winds peaking at 190 miles-per-hour. Dozens of homes and other buildings were damaged or destroyed south of Marion, but no fatalities were reported. It was the strongest tornado to hit the downstate region since December 2021. While other unofficial tornado reports also occurred last Friday are still being investigated by the NWS, there were yet more tornadoes unofficially reported in the St. Louis area last night.