Money owed for unpaid fines or fees won’t come out of Illinois tax refunds again this year

(The Center Square) – For the second year in a row, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office will allow low-income Illinois earners the option to defer payment of certain fines and fees.

More projects announced for 'Rebuild Illinois'

(The Center Square) – A $32 million roadway construction project in Joliet is the latest to tap into the Rebuild Illinois construction plan that more than doubled the state's gas tax.

Quick hits: Illinois news in brief for Friday, Jan. 21, 2022

University of Illinois increases tuition

Rapper, 16, accused of shooting NYPD cop could make bail from record label deal

A rising 16-year-old rapper charged with shooting a New York City police officer could be freed on a $250,000 bond as soon as Friday, sources told Fox News Digital.

Small town in South Dakota still grappling with Keystone cancelation one year later

Residents of Philip, a small South Dakota town, are deal with the consequences of the canceled Keystone project a year later.

NYC hate crimes nearly doubled in 2021, anti-AAPI attacks soared 343%; Manhattan DA says office honing in

New York City hate crimes complaints rose nearly 100% in 2021 and several types of bias crimes also skyrocketed – in some cases more than 340%, police statistics show, as the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says he is expanding his office’s hate crimes unit to address the uptick in racially motivated attacks.

Illinois Supreme Court ponders politicians using campaign cash for criminal defense

Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez argued a publicly elected official facing corruption charges should not be able to use campaign funds for a legal defense. If the person is not running for office, the legal bills are a “personal” expense, he contended.

Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate

Illinois teachers currently face mandated COVID-19 testing if unvaccinated. The Illinois State Board of Education might remove that option depending on whether it follows Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate or a high court decision.

Illinois lawmakers fail to replace their ethics watchdog

The Illinois General Assembly is without a watchdog. The former legislative inspector general quit after saying she was just a paper tiger. Now lawmakers cannot agree on her replacement.

Amendment 1 would come between teachers, dedication to students

Amendment 1 would give Illinois teachers a permanent right to strike, taking more class time away from teachers who believe their place is with their students instead of on the picket line. Voters will decide Nov. 8.