Sangamon Sun

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, Sept. 10th, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

ICASH Event with Senator Tom Bennett

See if you are owed money, and to receive help filing a claim.

Metamora Village Hall

102 N. Davenport St., Metamora, IL

Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Blocking Law That Limits Candidate Slating

The Illinois Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court’s ruling that blocked Senate Bill 2412, a controversial law signed by Governor Pritzker in May. The bill aimed to halt the practice of slating candidates to fill ballot vacancies for the current election cycle, even as candidates were already collecting petition signatures and rearranging their lives to run for office. Republican lawmakers criticized the bill as an attempt to benefit Democratic incumbents and reduce voter choice in the upcoming election.

Governor Pritzker’s legislative allies petitioned the court to revisit the earlier ruling, but the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision, declaring the law unconstitutional since it attempted to alter election rules after the election cycle had begun. If the law Pritzker signed had taken effect, it would have prevented numerous candidates from being placed on the ballot in the 2024 general election. The measure drew swift criticism from many, including good government advocates, who viewed it as a blatant power grab by Democratic lawmakers to give vulnerable incumbents an advantage in November.

Under the recent ruling, candidates who had collected the required number of petition signatures by the official deadline will now be placed on the ballot for voter consideration.

Senator Bennett, who opposed the bill in the Senate, expressed relief that "the courts rejected yet another attempt by Pritzker’s allies to reduce voters’ choices and manipulate the electoral process."

Tax Credits Available for Parents and Educators

With students back in classrooms and a new school year underway, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding eligible taxpayers that they may claim back-to-school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2024 individual income tax returns. With high living costs and taxes placing significant strain on working families, every bit of financial relief counts.

The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of a full-time K-12 student under age 21 to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250, up to a maximum credit of $750. Eligible expenses include tuition, book rental, and lab fees paid to schools where students are enrolled full-time. For families who homeschool, book rental and lab fees that exceed $250 also qualify if part of an approved home school program.

In addition to this credit for parents, Illinois offers the K-12 Instructional Materials and Supplies Tax Credit for educators. Teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, and aides working in qualified schools for at least 900 hours during the school year can claim up to $500 for out-of-pocket expenses on classroom materials. For educator spouses filing jointly, this maximum credit doubles to $1,000.

Additional information regarding both tax credits can be found by visiting IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov and Pub-112: Education Expense Credit General Rules and Requirements for Schools, Home Schools, Parents, and Guardians.

Illinois Sees Record Tourism Growth in 2023

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Office of Tourism recently reported that Illinois welcomed 112 million domestic and international visitors in 2023 resulting in $47 billion in visitor spending.

This marks an increase of one million visitors and over $3 billion in spending compared to last year according to data from Tourism Economics. In 2023 leisure travel saw notable growth with an increase in overnight leisure stays statewide by 4.3%.

Visitor spending surpassed pre-pandemic levels marking a 4% increase over numbers from 2019. The economic impact including indirect effects reached $83 billion—a 6.4% increase from last year.

Currently DCEO is offering $5 million through Route 66 Grant Program and International Tourism Grant Program aiming at boosting tourism across Illinois. More information is available on DCEO's website.

How much do we owe?

As of now State of Illinois owes $1,67593113868 to state vendors including pending vouchers totaling seventeen thousand four hundred sixty-nine (17 ,469). This figure represents bills submitted awaiting payment excluding debts like unfunded pension liability estimated over one hundred thirty-nine billion dollars ($139B). Last year's accounts payable stood slightly below two billion dollars ($2B).

Did You Know?

Did you know corn can “sweat”? NBC Chicago reported last week about "corn sweat" contributing significantly hot weather conditions caused via evapotranspiration releasing water vapor affecting heat indices determined temperatures dew points alike making temperatures feel hotter especially mid-July late August peak periods each acre potentially releasing up four thousand gallons daily!

This Week in The Fifty-third District Working full-time representing you!