(Springfield-jm) -- Nearly 20 percent of the cigarettes smoked in Illinois were purchased outside of the state. That’s the estimate from the nonprofit Tax Foundation. In conjunction with the Mackinac Center, the group tabulated the smoking rate in each state, estimated how much residents smoked on average and compared the estimated tax revenue against what states actually collect. In Illinois, the report estimated that 17.2 percent of all cigarettes consumed were brought into the state from elsewhere. The Illinois Department of Revenue reported more than $63 million in taxes collected in November from cigarette stamps, or the record of sale origin located on the packs. The penalty for smuggling cigarettes in Illinois is $15 per pack up to 100 packs and $25 per pack for someone caught with more than 100 packs, or ten cartons.
(Springfield-jm) -- The state's sports wagering program won't be ready for the Super Bowl, but it might be ready for March Madness. Some people may already be placing sports bets online after last Spring’s Supreme Court ruling allowing states to offer sports wagering, but Illinois’ legal program is not yet up and running. Those hoping to place bets from the couch may have to wait even longer. As part of the state’s $45 billion of capital spending for projects around Illinois, lawmakers approved sports betting. That money will go toward vertical construction projects such as schools. State Rep. Michael Zalewski of Riverside, said Monday that he had hoped to roll out sports betting before the Super Bowl. But that would only be for sports betting at brick-and-mortar gambling operations.
(Springfield-jm) -- State officials are working to provide more help to Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. 230 thousand people in Illinois are living with Alzheimer’s and nearly 600 thousand are acting as caregivers. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton took care of her late mother who suffered from dementia and has spent the last several months talking to others in similar situations about their needs…
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. Governor J-B Pritzker says the state is working to streamline services and is putting more funding towards helping patients and caregivers.
(Roberts-jm) -- The village of Roberts continues to meet with officials from the state EPA regarding their handling of the villages water tower painting project. Mayor Rick Flessner has the latest…
Roberts Mayor Rick Flessner.
(Buckley-jm) -- Buckley is seeking a tax levy increase. Village trustees recently approved the tentative increase. Once approved they expect to see an increase from $53,131 to $55,788.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton city council members will have a light meeting tonight. On the agenda is reviewing the tax levy, discuss and approve safety signage at Holmes and Elm, Holmes and Maple and Holmes and American and consider Mayor Bill Ingold’s appointment to the library board. The Paxton city council meeting gets underway at 7 pm.
(Washington-jm) -- Food shoppers will probably not experience very much sticker shock at the grocery store next year. Gary Crawford reports…
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumers ramped up their credit card spending in October. The Federal Reserve said that total consumer borrowing rose in October by a seasonally adjusted $18.9 billion, up from a September increase of $9.6 billion. It was the biggest increase in borrowing in three months and was driven by a jump in use of credit cards. Borrowing in the Fed’s category that includes credit cards rose by $7.9 billion, which followed a small $187 million increase in September and an actual decline in August. The category that covers auto loans and student loans increased by $11 billion, up from a gain of $9.4 billion in September.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- China is waiving punitive tariffs on U.S. soybeans and pork while the two sides negotiate a trade deal, the Ministry of Finance said. Beijing promised in September to lift the tariffs, adding to conciliatory steps that raised hopes for a settlement. The government announced then that Chinese importers were placing orders but no details of when the tariff exemption would take effect were released. The two sides have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each other’s goods, disrupting global trade and threatening to depress economic growth. Another U.S. tariff hike on an additional $160 billion of Chinese imports is due to take effect Dec. 15.
(Springfield-jm) -- Nearly every other Illinois lawmaker in the General Assembly could run unopposed in the 2020 election. The deadline to file paperwork for the 2020 March primaries was last Monday. Unless local party leaders intervene to put a candidate on the ballot, 54 out of the 118 Illinois state representatives will be the only choice from the state’s major parties in November. Twelve of the 20 senators up for re-election won’t face opposition from the other party, but a number face primary challenges. That’s higher than the national average of just under one-third.
(Undated-jm) -- As high school seniors make plans for college, e-commerce website WalletHub has released its list of the best college towns in America, and several Illinois college towns made the grade. Researchers looked at more than 400 college towns and cities across the nation. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez said the team looked more 30 metrics for the research. The metrics included categories such as the cost of living, quality of higher education and crime rate. Charleston, home of Eastern Illinois University, was the highest-ranked Illinois town on the list. It ranked 19th overall out of 415 towns and cities and fourth on the list of “Best Small Cities.” Also in the top half of the list was the University of Illinois in Champaign. A category that Champaign did not perform well in was housing costs. Overall, Champaign ranked 111th.
(Springfield-jm) -- Instant tickets make a great gift, but the Illinois Lottery reminds they are only for adults. They are great stocking stuffers but instant games are not meant for minors says Lottery Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg…
Lottery Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg. The lottery says studies show that one of the risk factors for gambling addiction is gambling at a young age.
(Sibley-jm) -- Sibley village leaders fear a water leak somewhere below the village may be much larger than what they first believed. In November, the daily average was 39,000 gallons that was up from 37,000 gallons in October. Normally, the village uses around 24,000 gallons a day. Village officials estimate the 30 day loss is around 300,000 gallons. Residents are asked to report any water pressure issues to the village.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul village leaders are expected to approve utility fees at tonight's village board meeting. Trustees will be asked to approve rates and fees for water, wastewater, natural gas and electricity services provided by the village. In addition, they are expected to approve an extension for ambulance service from OSF Pro Ambulance. The Rantoul village board meeting gets underway at 6pm.
(Undated-jm) -- More than 17,000 high school students in Illinois are being recognized by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for outstanding academic achievement. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the Rantoul Township High School scholars…
(Undated-jm) -- Flu season is off to an early start across the area. The CDC reports widespread flu activity in five states including Illinois. Nationally, four children have died from the flu.
WASHINGTON (AP) — American businesses have complained for years that they can’t find the workers they need to fill available jobs. November’s robust hiring gain suggests that at least some have found a way to do so. With the unemployment rate now at a half-century low of 3.5%, many economists have also warned that hiring would soon slow simply because there are fewer unemployed workers available. That day may still come, but it didn’t in November. Employers added 266,000 jobs last month, the most since January. Monthly hiring has, in fact, picked up since earlier this year: It averaged 205,000 for the past three months, up from a recent low of 135,000 in July.
