(SPRINGFIELD) It was earlier this week that the proposed millionaires tax was shot down in the Illinois House as the Democrat leadership said it was unable to get enough votes together to push it through. The proposed House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 21 would have raised the tax rate on income earned more than $1 million from 4.95% to 7.95%. The tax dollars brought in by the amendment would have been split equally between property tax relief and school funding. Many lawmakers say they believe the measure is deceiving in its language.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Wetlands Protection Act has not advanced in the Illinois General Assembly, following a response from more than 750 Illinois Farm Bureau members who recently responded to an action request through last Friday, April 17th. With the lawmakers set to adjourn the spring session on May 31st, the wetlands proposal is currently still sitting idle in committee.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking millions of extra dollars from state taxpayers due to federal policy changes. In fact, the House Appropriations – Health & Human Services Committee was told yesterday that the federal changes require additional state investments to address the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid. Among the requests made, one is for $40 million to hire 450 new caseworkers, whom the Department says could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars by making sure that the SNAP and Medicaid funds are used correctly and for those who are truly in need. No action was taken.
(SPRINGFIELD) The state has announced a new 5% tax credit to help bring green film and television production to the Land of Lincoln. Under the program signed into effect by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker this week, productions recognized as “certified green” through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Illinois Film Office will be eligible.