CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois’ department of revenue says more than 300 state employees, including two lawmakers, are delinquent in paying their taxes for the 2014 calendar year. Department of Revenue officials tell the Chicago Tribune the 312 state workers are getting their salaries but still haven’t filed returns for calendar year 2014, which were due…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – While pressure grows on Gov. Bruce Rauner to identify where he would cut state spending, an Associated Press analysis shows that much more cutting would be needed to make a real difference. The AP reviewed the Republican governor’s latest annual fiscal plan released in February. It found at least 40 programs…
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) – A published report shows jail visits of up to eight hours between a southern Illinois judge and a parolee who lived with him and was later charged with first-degree murder. Ron Duebbert, who won election in November, was placed on administrative duties following a January complaint filed against him with the…
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) – A law enforcement task force has started a tip line to collect information about public corruption in Southern Illinois. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Donald Boyce and St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly say the phone number will be advertised on billboards. The task force investigates…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Springfield officials are shrinking plans for a second water-supply lake. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/2p7AFJ5 ) the proposed Hunter Lake would pump up to 12 million gallons per day. The maximum capacity in earlier designs was 21 million gallons. Ted Meckes is water division manager for City Water, Light and…
CAIRO, Ill. (AP) – Federal housing officials say they plan to relocate 185 families from two southern Illinois public housing developments that have been plagued by problems, including poor heating and mold. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said it would provide residents with vouchers and fund…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois legislators are joining a national flurry of efforts to curb laws that allow police to confiscate property even if the owner isn’t convicted of a crime. The contentious practice permits law enforcement to permanently seize vehicles, cash and other property associated with illegal activity and profit from it. The Illinois…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois Department of Public Health has rejected intractable pain and autism spectrum disorder as medical conditions that could be treated with medical cannabis. The petition to add intractable pain to the medical marijuana program was submitted in July 2015 to the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. Department of Public Health Director…
CHICAGO (AP) – An Illinois physician has reached an agreement with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation that limits his ability to make pot recommendations. In 2015, Illinois regulators contended Dr. Bodo Schneider charged patients for pot recommendations at offices in southern Illinois and suburban Chicago without a legitimate doctor-patient relationship. Schneider approved…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has unveiled a broad-based cybersecurity plan. The Republican announced the framework Tuesday. He says cybersecurity is one of the most pressing issues facing the nation and Illinois. The plan outlines goals to protect state information systems. But it covers only executive branch agencies directly. It wouldn’t have…