By Ben Szalinski & Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses. The $55.2 billion spending plan is supported by $55.3
By Ben Szalinski & Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois lawmakers have one week to pass a new state budget with little room for new spending and Congress presenting further challenges and uncertainty. Revenue projections had already been declining as the spring session has progressed. Now, lawmakers who have long feared
At the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley, we’re celebrating the culmination of this year’s scholarship program. More than 1,300 students applied, and we were deeply moved by their dedication, talent, and determination to pursue higher education. Thanks to the generosity of this remarkable community, we are proud to award
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker’s office is now projecting state revenues to come in about a half-billion dollars below the baseline projections assumed during his February budget address. The latest downward revision comes as lawmakers are entering the final two-week stretch to approve a budget before their
May 14, 2025Dear editor, As a small business owner in Illinois, I am deeply concerned about the impending implementation of the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA), set to take effect July 1. While the intention to reduce costs for merchants is commendable, the practical implications of this legislation pose significant
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com The General Assembly’s independent forecasting commission has improved revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year despite growing economic volatility. That’s good news for state lawmakers who are in the final weeks of crafting the fiscal year 2026 budget set to take effect July 1. But
Kane County Treasurer Chris Lauzen announced that the 2024 payable in 2025 Kane County Real Estate Tax Bills will be in the mail on or before May 1. Treasurer Lauzen shared that the first installment will be due June 2 and the second installment will be due September. The entire
April 13, 2025Dear editor; When you were little and made a mess, what happened? Mom or Dad walked in and exclaimed, What on earth have you been doing? Or What is this mess you’ve made? Either way, you were expected to clean it up. You learned to accept responsibility and
By Ben Szalinski & Jade AubreyCapitol News IllinoisNews@Capitolnewsillinois.com President Donald Trump’s administration is pulling back $477 million from Illinois that was to be used to prevent infectious disease and treat mental health and substance abuse issues. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced this week the federal Centers for Disease
March 17, 2025Dear editor; There are still townhall meetings for the Kane County Public Safety Sales Tax, so I am happy I probably can come March 20 since I am familiar with the church and it is a time, 6:30 p.m. I can probably exit my driveway at 6 p.m.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Knights of Columbus Council 14929 last month presented a $541 grant to Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA).
Our Lady of Good Counsel Knights of Columbus Council 14929 last month presented a $541 grant to Association for Individual Development (AID).
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com The Donald Trump administration has stopped reimbursing Illinois for a program designed to help farmers and supply fresh food to Illinois food banks. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that changes to federal funding mean Illinois is missing reimbursements for costs for the Local
By Rhiannon BranchFarmWeek Consumers are experiencing the highest egg prices in history driven by increased demand and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which could keep the market elevated for a while. The latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the average retail egg price at $4.90 per dozen
By Ben Szalinski, Peter Hancock, & Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com An improved revenue forecast is helping ease pressure on state finances as governor JB Pritzker calls for tightened spending to balance the budget without tax increases on everyday Illinoisans. During his annual state of the state and budget address on
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced this week he has joined yet another multistate lawsuit against the Donald Trump Administration, this time over its decision to slash funding for university research grants through the National Institutes of Health. It was at least the fourth such
February 7, 2025Dear editor; Taxpayers are the government’s “bankers of last resort”. When politicians over-spend and over-tax in fiscally irresponsible ways, it’s ultimately up to us taxpayers to say “no more”. According to its audited financial statements filed with the Illinois State Comptroller, the Kane County Board’s Ruling Democrat Super-Majority
By Ben Szalinskibszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.comCapitol News Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Tuesday, Jan. 21 signed a long-awaited bill to stop Illinois organizations from paying less than the minimum wage to workers with disabilities. The bill applies to businesses and other facilities that hold what is known as a 14(c) certificate, named after the
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has scholarships for graduating high school seniors, students in undergrad and graduate programs, students entering a trade program, and nontraditional students who are returning to school. Scholarship application for the 2025-2026 academic year will close at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Students can
Senior Services Associates, a nonprofit with offices in Aurora and Yorkville, will offer free income tax preparation help. The public is invited. The service, called AARP Tax Aide, is in cooperation with Internal Revenue Service under its Tax Counseling for the Elderly program. There are no age or income limits
