In a potential election-year gift to homeowners and businesses, the Illinois House Tuesday voted to block suburban governments from increasing property taxes when overall property values decline. By a 74-39 vote, the measure sponsored by Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) moves to the Senate, where it is expected to encounter stiff resistance from teachers unions, the Illinois Municipal League and other local government advocates.
A bill aimed at rolling back a crackdown on potential pension abuses by Illinois Federation of Teachers and Chicago union officials did not surface Monday in the Illinois House and appears to be dead for the year.
The Illinois House approved a big tax-break for businesses like Sears and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Those two companies have threatened to leave the state unless they get some tax relief.
With a 58-53 vote, the Illinois House on Wednesday shot down a revised bill that would expand gambling in Illinois.
State lawmakers on Wednesday advanced reform legislation aimed at thwarting lucrative pension abuses by some labor leaders.
