Illinois Briefs - 11/30/11

No Deal On Business Tax Relief

(Springfield, IL)  --  It's no deal on the plan to provide tax relief for Sears and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  The bill passed in the Senate yesterday but only managed to get eight votes in the House.  Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno [[ra-done-yo]] says that could mean a drastic loss of jobs in Illinois.  Both Sears and the CME have threatened to leave the state if they didn't get the tax breaks.  Lawmakers haven't provided a timeline on when they'll try to pass the measure again.

Sears Officials Disappointed With Lawmakers

(Springfield, IL)  --  Sears officials say they're disappointed that lawmakers failed to pass a plan that provides tax relief for the company.  Spokesman Chris Brathwaite says he hopes lawmakers are able to strike a deal soon otherwise they'll take their business elsewhere.  He says they'll make a decision on whether

to leave or stay in Illinois by the end of the year.

Lawmakers Move To Close Pension Loopholes

(Springfield, IL)  --  Lawmakers are closing loopholes in the pension system that allows union leaders to collect hefty pensions from two or more systems.  The proposal comes after a  "Chicago Tribune" investigation exposed two union leaders who qualified to collect government benefits after substitute teaching for just one day.  Both Democrats and Republicans supported the measure and expressed the need for immediate action.  House Sponsor Tom Cross calls the double dipping one of the grossest abuses of state statute he's ever seen.  The bill heads to Governor Quinn's desk for final approval.

State Workers To Keep Jobs

(Springfield, IL)  --  More than 19-hundred state workers are keeping their jobs for now.  Lawmakers passed a supplementary budget yesterday, giving Governor Quinn the money he needs to keep seven state facilities open.  The workers' jobs are safe until at least July 1st.  That gives the general assembly time to reevaluate the closure plan and develop a strategy on how to move forward if shutdowns are required.  

Tenaska Passes Senate

(Springfield, IL)  --  Taylorville is one step closer to getting a clean-coal plant.  The Senate barely approved the three-point-five-billion dollar project yesterday.  President John Cullerton says it will pump eight-billion-dollars into the state's economy.  It's expected to create about 25-hundred construction jobs plus an additional 450 permanent jobs.  The bill now heads to the House but isn't likely to get a vote until next spring.

Plan Relieves Regulations On Small Cemeteries

(Springfield, IL)  --  A bill revising cemetery regulations and fees has passed the Illinois House.  The plan relieves small and rural cemeteries of higher fees and some regulations that were put in place after the scandal at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip.  State Representative Dan Brady voted against the bill because it didn't address his concerns with regulating authority between the Comptroller's office and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  He says he thinks the cemetery industry is using smaller cemeteries as a shield to divert regulatory authority in crematoriums.  The bill now goes to a committee to work out differences between a House and Senate.

Occupy Movement Gets No Support

(Springfield, IL)  --  State representatives disagree on the effectiveness of the "Occupy" movement.  In a heated debate on the House floor yesterday, Republican Representative Ed Sullivan called the protests un-American.  His colleague Roger Eddy said the movement demonizes corporate America.   But the sentiment was different on the other side of the aisle.  Democrats LaShawn Ford and Monique David both praised the movement as a people's right to be heard.  A resolution to support the movement failed in the House.

Heating Assistance Available

(Springfield, IL)  --  Heating assistance is available for City, Water, Light and Power customers.  The "Project Relief" program will help some customers pay their bills during winter months.  Customers must show proof of financial hardship to qualify for the program.  They must also be behind on their CWLP bill and have the resources to cover at least part of the past due balance.  CWLP customers who need assistance can contact the Project Relief office at 217-789-2414.

Illinoisans Are Normal Compared To Others

(Springfield, IL)  --  People in Illinois are fairly normal compared to other people across the nation.  That's according to a recent "Travel and Leisure" poll which lists the strangest people in America according to city they live in.  Voters made the determinations based on how colorful and flamboyant people are.  Thriving arts communities and diversity also played a role in the final distinctions.  Not one Illinois town or city made the top 20.  New Orleans topped the list followed by Santa Fe, NM and Austin, TX.