* Capitol News Illinois…
State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, D-Chicago, asked a panel of his fellow House members this week to imagine Illinois facing another financial downturn like the pandemic-recession of 2020 when Trump was finishing out his first term. That year, Illinois faced a major budget shortfall, though federal stimulus money ended up helping the state recover.
“If we had something like iGaming, we would have still had a financial fallback in spite of gross negligence by the first Trump administration,” he said Wednesday at a Capitol hearing on his proposal to legalize internet gambling. “Illinois is gambling with its financial future by delaying the adoption of iGaming.”
Proponents of Gonzalez’s House Bill 3080 point out that plenty of Illinoisans are already gambling on the internet illegally, often facilitated by overseas-based websites.
“Whether or not you choose to pass legislation legalizing iGaming, it is already here,” James Hartmann, a lobbyist for sports betting giant FanDuel, told the panel. “Right now, you can take out your phone and in five minutes, be gambling real money slot machines from the app store, unregulated and untaxed.” […]
The analysis from the gambling industry consultancy firm Eilers & Krejcik estimated $775 million in state tax revenues after five years of legalized iGaming at a nearly 25% tax rate. The $1 billion figure would reflect a higher tax rate more in line with what larger casinos and sports books pay, especially after a hike in the state’s sports betting tax last year. Pritzker last month also floated a tax hike on casino table games to help fill the state’s budget gap.
But opponents of legalizing iGaming — including some casinos, video gambling terminal operators and the hospitality groups that represent the bars and restaurants in which those VGTs have proliferated in the 13 years since video gambling’s launch in Illinois — warn the introduction of iGaming would prove a zero-sum game.
* Urban Planner Steven Vance in Chicago Cityscape…
Recognizing a housing shortage across Illinois, state legislators have introduced several bills in the General Assembly in their 2025 session to permit more homes to be built, including in municipalities that severely limit residential development by regulatory means. […]
Two bills would break down the wall of exclusionary zoning by permitting the construction of at least four homes on lots zoned for residential use; jurisdictions covered by the bills — which have minor comparative differences — would have to allow two-flats and three-flats, at a minimum.
- HB 3288. The Affordable Communities Act would allow for up to eight homes to be built on all properties zoned for residential use in the state’s eight largest cities.
- HB 1814. The Missing Middle Housing Act would allow for up to four homes to be built on all properties (of 5,000 s.f. or larger) zoned for residential use in municipalities with 25,000 or more population.
Both bills would also permit townhouses, row houses, and cottage clusters. Either bill passing would legalize hundreds of thousands of new homes.
* Rep. Jackie Haas…
State Representative Jackie Haas successfully passed HB76 through committee this week. The legislation states that if a county jail in the county where an inmate lived before their conviction has a reentry program, the Department of Corrections must pay the county back for costs related to transferring the inmate to the county jail for participation in the reentry program.
“I am pleased to have passed this bill through the House of Representative’s committee process,” said Rep. Haas. “This legislation is a great opportunity to help individuals gain the skills for success in re-entering their home community as reducing recidivism. I look forward to seeing this come to a vote on the House Floor” concluded Haas.
* The Tribune Editorial Board…
State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, has sponsored the Road Usage Charge Act, which would create a pilot program to study the effectiveness of a road usage charge to tax drivers per mile. The measure has the staunch backing of Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, one of the most politically powerful unions in the state. […]
The problem lawmakers are trying to address is a loss of tax revenue as more drivers opt for electric vehicles. No doubt they’re looking to other states that have implemented per-mile tax systems. In Oregon, people can voluntarily enroll in their state’s version, and pay per-mile taxes, which are calculated either by a monitoring device or by submitting photos of their odometer. The tracking part of that process gives us pause, but at least in Oregon, if you opt into the per-mile program, you get a credit for any traditional motor fuel taxes you pay at the pump. […]
There’s no guarantee — in fact, it’s likely — that if this pilot program passes and eventually becomes part of Illinois’ road-funding process that lawmakers won’t try to have it both ways, taxing mileage and gas, especially given the state’s ongoing revenue problems. At a March 4 hearing, a Local 150 representative said there’s no way the state could scrap the gas tax if it turned to a mileage tax.
That likely would mean drivers would have to track how much gas they’re putting in their tanks in order to get credits against their per-mile levies. Sounds like a major hassle, needless to say.
* Rep. Sue Scherer…
State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is focusing on increasing accountability and transparency around the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) assessment contracts through a new measure, which recently passed out of committee, that introduces new reporting requirements for the state’s education agency.
“Taxpayers and parents deserve to know the full extent of where their money is going to support the education of our young people,” said Scherer. “This bill will create an open process to ensure that assessment contract renewals are scrutinized by stakeholders before another dime is spent.”
Scherer’s House Bill 2574 passed out of a key education committee on Wednesday. The measure will require ISBE to post information on the assessment contracts on their website such as the total length and annual cost of the contract. In addition, ISBE will be required to consult with stakeholder groups and their internal Balanced Accountability Measure Committee when considering assessment contracts. Scherer intends to increase the transparency around ISBE’s spending, especially as higher-ed institutions and scholarship organizations continue to move away from requiring assessment scores.
“For years, colleges and universities throughout the nation have been moving away from requiring the ACT or SAT for admissions, and now even scholarship organizations are doing the same,” said share. “I believe we can make reliable measures of student progress without stressing our students and compromising their education by teaching to the test.”
* WAND…
Illinois House Democrats have a clean-up bill which would make some new changes in the Department of Human Services.
This includes a new education facility called Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Wood. This center will help the blind and vision impaired to get full time salaried jobs.
Another expansion would be adding a mental health practitioner who could revoke a FOID card. An advanced practice psychiatric nurse would be able to revoke a FOID card if they perceive that person to be unstable and dangerous. […]
The proposal would also change how medical documents of the developmentally disabled are released. […]
The bill passed the House human services committee on a partisan vote 8-3, where it now heads to the House floor. [Rep. Camille Lilly] who sponsored the bill said she may send the bill back for an amendment due to some of the concerns other lawmakers raised during the hearing.
* WTVO…
A new bill proposed in Illinois would reduce the distance convicted sex offenders are required to observe when living near schools.
Senate Bill 2254, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago), would reduce the distance sex offenders are required to stay from schools and playgrounds from 500 feet to 250 feet. […]
The Illinois Sheriff’s Association has voiced opposition to the bill.
“And I think from a law enforcement perspective, you know, certainly we want to make sure that people can find viable housing. [We] understand that completely, but at the same time, if we’re going to err on this, we’re going to err on the side of caution that an increased distance or an enhanced distance of 500 feet today, that it should remain that,” said executive director Jim Kaitschuk.
SB2254 has not yet been assigned to a committee.
* WCIA…
A bill that could help Illinois residents access Alzheimer’s treatment is making its way through the House.
House Bill 1360 would amend the Illinois Insurance Code, requiring insurance to cover diagnostic testing or medications to slow Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, starting January 1, 2027.
Specifically, insurance plans would be required to cover all “medically necessary” diagnostic testing and FDA-approved treatments, as determined by a doctor. […]
HB1360 passed the House Insurance Committee on March 11. A House floor hearing is scheduled to take place on March 18.
- H-W - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 9:36 am:
Re: Senate Bill 2254 and Leader Lightford
Two thoughts. First, 250 ft is less than a football field, and that is cutting it pretty close in my mind. But I personally would not oppose the measure. I am sure there are places in the city and suburbia where 500 ft. is problematic.
=== The Illinois Sheriff’s Association has voiced opposition to the bill. ===
A look at my sheriff’s, sheriff department page on Facebook demonstrates the degree to which the job of sheriff has become a political position beyond the original job of protecting and serving. McDonough County hosts the president of the organization, and the web pages are about bill in the legislature, not risks to citizens.
- Just Me 2 - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 9:39 am:
I’m glad to see legislators addressing the housing crises with legislation to address the underlying problem of not enough homes to meet the needs of renters, instead of an artificial cap on what property owners can charge for their service.
- Just Me 2 - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 9:53 am:
It seems silly for the Chicago Tribune to be so upset over a pilot program. Let the pilot happen, view the results, and then submit your fake outrage.
- Incandenza - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 10:13 am:
== instead of an artificial cap on what property owners can charge for their service. ==
Agreed - for too long most housing “solutions” have been either trying to force price controls or to boost demand by providing subsidies for downpayments (which probably only just increase prices) and never addressing the root of the problem which is just restricted supply. Economics 101 finally being applied as a policy solution. That’s good news!
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 10:21 am:
===“Whether or not you choose to pass legislation legalizing iGaming, it is already here,” James Hartmann, a lobbyist for sports betting giant FanDuel, told the panel. “Right now, you can take out your phone and in five minutes, be gambling real money slot machines from the app store, unregulated and untaxed.”===
Now what his client would like to do is make it easier to gamble with regulation but little or no oversight into what those companies are doing and create a situation where they do everything they can to keep people gambling more everywhere they are until they’re out of money.
- RNUG - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 10:36 am:
== drivers would have to track how much gas they’re putting in their tanks ==
Personally, no big deal if all they want are totals. I keep logbooks / spreadsheets for every car by mileage that includes every fill-up and repair to that car.
- Steve - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 10:50 am:
The more housing units you zone for the more affordable housing will becomes. It’s supply and demand.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 10:59 am:
“warn the introduction of iGaming would prove a zero-sum game.”
This seems like it would be worse than zero-sum.
Currently revenue for physical video gaming terminals is taxed by the state at 35%.
If iGaming is only going to be taxed at 25% by the state with no way to determine what local even is much less for it to be taxed, it would also wipe out that 5% local tax. Which would also incentivize a rush of companies leaving the physical VGT space and moving to iGaming.
That would financially impact all the areas who have become dependent on that 5% local tax from physical terminals.
It might be zero-sum when only counting total gamblers, although I doubt that’s true either. But it would be a big difference for the operators when it comes to tax rates they have to pay for printing free money. With iGaming, this bill allows them to keep 75% of the revenue generated which is a huge increase over the revenue they get to keep from physical gaming terminals.
There would be a lot of 2nd and 3rd order effects from this bill. Whether they are good or bad effects mostly depends on which side of the gaming table you are on.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:24 am:
“… drivers would have to track … .”
Their cell phone company already does, as do many modern vehicles.
- Give Us Barabbas - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:29 am:
Re: road tax, for electric cars just recording the total odometer reading at tax time should be enough. If you tell the driver to take a picture of the odometer, that picture can be doctored. Don’t you want a third party to check that? I would suggest maybe driving into any tire shop or car dealership and having them confirm the odometer with a phone app. Should take sixty seconds, and they will do it happily for the chance of getting your business at some point.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:35 am:
===Re: road tax===
I just don’t see that happening until they come up with a far simpler idea.
And even then…
- charles in charge - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:35 am:
==“And I think from a law enforcement perspective, you know, certainly we want to make sure that people can find viable housing. [We] understand that completely, but at the same time, if we’re going to err on this, we’re going to err on the side of caution that an increased distance or an enhanced distance of 500 feet today, that it should remain that,” said executive director Jim Kaitschuk.==
As usual, the Sheriffs Association offers no facts, evidence or even an argument as to why reducing the size of banishment zones supposedly compromises safety. Just vibes. Scary scary vibes.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:36 am:
===Scary scary vibes===
Indeed, which is why this conversation starter is likely a non-starter.
- Dupage - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:41 am:
No to both gas and electric mileage tax at the same time. Electric cars already pay higher license plate fees. Meanwhile gas cars already pay higher amounts via gas tax. The hassle of trying to keep track of how much gas is paid, paperwork, receipts, forms to fill out could be more work than it is worth. If they eliminate the gas tax, roll back the base price of license plates to 10 dollars + mileage would be fair. That way cars would pay in proportion to actual miles used. Second cars that are only used occasionally would pay less.
- XT - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:49 am:
The restrictions for registered sex offenders have become too onerous. But let’s face it, the legislature is never going to pass a bill to ease restrictions unless a court steps in and finds the current law unconstitutional.
- Cool Papa Bell - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 11:57 am:
=driving into any tire shop or car dealership and having them confirm the odometer with a phone app=
Now let me tell you about tool you can buy on eBay to reset or roll back your odometer and leave no trace in the computer in the car.
Lots of people would be driving 4,000 miles a year.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 12:20 pm:
===Electric cars already pay higher license plate fees.===
That $$ is deposited into the Road Fund. Unless it is further allocated to local governments, then EVs aren’t paying any $$ to local governments. There needs to be a way for some portion of EV fees to go to local governments.
- Payback - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 12:27 pm:
“The problem lawmakers are trying to address is a loss of tax revenue as more drivers opt for electric vehicles…” Lie. Villivalam’s bill is about a total surveillance system to track the serfs. Foundations, NGOs and think tanks like the MacArthur Foundation (…a more just, verdant, and peaceful world…) have been pushing this for years. What I really despise about prog Dems like Villivalam is they pose about “the environment” while what they want is control.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 12:31 pm:
“The restrictions for registered sex offenders have become too onerous.”
Part of prison reform years ago was offender total prison sentences were reduced with the inclusion of post-release restrictions. That was done because not all offenders are deserving of long prison sentences, while others are. There’s no justice in punishing all offenders the same way. The compromise is what exists today, and it is a good one overall because the data clearly shows total recidivism rates are lower for those who serve a shorter prison sentence with restrictions upon release, than serving a longer prison sentence with no restrictions upon release.
https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/research-publications/2016/recidivism_overview.pdf
Restrictions after release from prison are still part of an adjudicated process, and provide an alternative to keeping someone locked up in a prison.
If the restrictions are too onerous, we can always return to keeping all offenders in prison for the term of their restrictions, with no restrictions upon release. That way they won’t have to worry about how hard it is to find a place to live. I doubt even registered offenders would agree that is a good idea.
I hope you never discover there are people who will purposely try to assault children in public places for gratification. There’s a local landlord who rents exclusively to offenders. He then picks them up from his rental units and drives them to locations where children are, like used clothing stores for children. Guess what, within weeks of him doing this a child was assaulted right in the store, even though they were registered offenders. If they weren’t restricted by law, they would visit playgrounds for this same purpose. It’s a good idea to keep them away from children.
I’m sure people with multiple DUI arrests find their drivers license being revoked to be onerous too.
People who commit felonies with guns are probably bothered they can’t have a gun after being released from prison with a felony record.
There are no shortages of apartments for offenders. Just a shortage of ones where they would prefer to live. Easy way to avoid that problem, is to not assault children.
- Tax And Spend - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 1:56 pm:
Any mileage/usage tax for anything other than electric vehicles is a money grab.
Apply it to EV’s and move on.
- Lefty Lefty - Monday, Mar 17, 25 @ 2:49 pm:
I’d wager that the vast majority of EV owners charge their vehicles at a public charging station or have had a 240-V outlet installed at their residences. Why can’t these source of electricity be metered separately/in addition to the general measurement so that a (slight) tax or fee can be added?
I love EVs, but they shouldn’t get to use the roads for free.