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* WUIS reports on Senate President John Cullerton’s proposal to jack up the tax on cigarettes by a dollar a pack. The governor supports the idea…
The plan would also increase the taxes on other tobacco products at 64 percent of the wholesale price. In a statement, Victoria Vasconcellos, president of the Smoke Free Alternatives Coalition of Illinois, said this tax will make it harder for smokers to quit despite the added cost.
“We have seen that vapor products are a factor in the unprecedented decline in cigarette sales,” said Vasconcellos. “That’s why classifying vapor products in the same category as cigarettes is a backward step for public health, and adults should not be penalized for making healthier choices.”
Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokesperson for Gov. Pritzker, said he would support the steeper tax.
* Mark Brown…
On its face, a presentation this week by lawmakers and community groups seeking funding for community-based legal services for the poor seemed straightforward enough.
The Illinois Access to Justice Program would create a $10 million fund to be split among groups that deal with the legal problems of undocumented immigrants and others that specialize in helping ex-offenders.
Yet in many ways the most significant aspect of their effort remained largely unspoken — an attempt at finding common ground and forging cooperation between African-American and Latino lawmakers and the communities they represent.
So often in politics, “black and brown communities”— to borrow the phrase currently in vogue — are pitted against each other to compete for scarce resources and opportunities.
That’s about to play out again in Illinois with the upcoming 2020 census—and the redistricting that will follow.
* Press release…
Last night, the Illinois Senate Criminal Law Committee approved House Bill 1613, a measure that would make permanent the current practice of collecting data about every traffic stop conducted by police in the State of Illinois. The practice has been in place in Illinois since 2004 when then-State Senator Barack Obama championed the law.
The following can be attributed to Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois:
“Today’s strong vote by the Senate Criminal Law Committee moves this important legislation one step closer to final passage. As the Committee heard today, collecting and analyzing data about traffic and pedestrian stops by police allows the public to provide appropriate transparency of law enforcement and serves as a critical tool for law enforcement supervisors to use in training and managing officers interacting with the public.
It is time to make this practice – which has been good policy for more than a decade – permanent. We look forward to passage of this measure by the full Senate. With the leadership of sponsor Senator Elgie Sims, we are confident that the measure will be on its way to the Governor.”
* Other stuff…
* Senators Rethink ISBE Property Tax Relief Plan: Education advocates who testified before the committee said if the tax relief measure isn’t changed, the legislature should increase the state’s school equity appropriation from the statutorily-required $350 million to at least $450 million. Lawmakers on the Senate education committee listened, but didn’t articulate a response.
* Senate Measure Would Protect Consumers Against ‘Deceptive’ Energy Suppliers: Under the Senate plan, suppliers can still provide their services as long as contracts don’t automatically rollover and consumers are informed about any rate increases before they happen. Suppliers would also need to report their rates to the Illinois Commerce Commission and attorney general. Attorney General Kwame Raoul said suppliers’ deceptive practices often hurt those who can’t afford to pay more.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 8, 19 @ 11:54 am
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It took me many, many years and countless tries to quit smoking. Not only was I able to easily transition to e-cigarettes, but for some reason, I was then able to transition to quitting all nicotine for good. I have zero desire to smoke now. Treating e-cigarettes as the same as tobacco is ludicrous.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, May 8, 19 @ 12:15 pm
–Under the Senate plan, suppliers can still provide their services as long as contracts don’t automatically rollover and consumers are informed about any rate increases before they happen. Suppliers would also need to report their rates to the Illinois Commerce Commission and attorney general.–
Geez, I would have thought those provisions were required already.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 8, 19 @ 12:17 pm
I’m for it, but it would be nice to see luxury items taxed instead of/as well as products that low income people are more inclined towards.
I haven’t thought this through enough to specify what I mean by “luxury items.”
Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, May 8, 19 @ 12:33 pm
=“That’s why classifying vapor products in the same category as cigarettes is a backward step for public health, and adults should not be penalized for making healthier choices.”=
And while we’re at it can we lower the tax on light beer?
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, May 8, 19 @ 12:52 pm
It’s almost like lighting things on fire and inhaling the smoke is a bad idea…
Comment by Unpopular Wednesday, May 8, 19 @ 1:40 pm