Capital plan money to go to projects that can begin within 90 days By Rebecca Anzel, Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois department tasked with the state’s economic development launched a program Tuesday providing grant funding to local governments for capital projects. Its aim, said Michael Negron, assistant director of the Department of Commerce and [...]
By Rich Miller Gov. JB Pritzker has repeatedly said he's delegating enforcement of his stay-at-home order to local governments. That stance has frustrated some folks who want him to get tougher with violators (although he'd undoubtedly risk making martyrs out of them if he did crack down hard). And the governor's position seems to have [...]
By David Blanchette The State of Illinois is dipping a toe into the pond of privatizing its real estate management services, and if the initial foray works it could mean an $845 million, 10-year plunge involving 22 million square feet of property and 683 state-owned, leased and surplus facilities. The Illinois Department of Central Management [...]
By Patrick Yeagle Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday vetoed earlier this month a bill which would have created a state-run insurance provider for workers' compensation. The veto comes amid debate over whether private insurers bilk employers through allegedly outsize premiums. In 2011, Illinois adopted several changes to its workers' compensation system, including lowering reimbursement for [...]
By Patrick Yeagle Gov. Bruce Rauner, pictured here at his inauguration in 2015. Gov. Bruce Rauner last week vetoed a bill which would have raised the statewide minimum wage to $15 per hour. The bill's sponsors vow an override vote attempt, but it likely lacks enough support to reach the required three-fifths majority. [...]
By Patrick Yeagle Illinois renewed a tax credit last week aimed at spurring investment in new technology companies. The previous "angel investment" tax credit expired at the end of last year, but on Aug. 24, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law renewing it through 2021. Angel investment loosely refers to individuals or groups using their [...]
By Patrick Yeagle The former Goodwill building at 815 N. 11th St. is undergoing renovation to house Capitol Reuse Center Inc. The former Goodwill building on North 11th Street in Springfield is slated to become the new headquarters for a different nonprofit. Capitol Reuse Center Inc. purchased the building at 815 N. 11th [...]
The City of Springfield recently issued the following permits: Capitol Reuse Center LLC obtained a permit for non-structural demolition at 815 N. 11th St. Mark Iversen is the contractor. The project is valued at $3,000. The City of Springfield obtained a permit for remodeling, tuck pointing and sealant work at 800 E. Monroe. The project [...]
The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is slated to consider a zoning reclassification for 101 W. North Grand Ave. to allow for new signage directing visitors to Oak Ridge Cemetery. The request by Cooney Clan LLC and Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation would allow new signage directing people to the cemetery, Lincoln's Tomb and the African [...]
By Patrick Yeagle The City of Springfield hopes to use TIF money to alleviate flooding on Jackson Street downtown, which could facilitate development of the empty North Mansion Block. The city's economic development panel voted Tuesday to okay a request from the city to use TIF money for the project's planning. The request now needs [...]