(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois consumers will start paying higher taxes on a variety of items next week, beginning Tuesday, plus they may also foot the bill for corporate tax changes. On July 1st, the state will raise taxes on short-term rentals, tobacco & vaping products, sports wagering, and telecommunications, plus Illinois will lower tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases. The new tax rules will impact businesses in the current tax year by lowering deductions and another change could result in companies facing double taxation.
(SPRINGFIELD) In related news, House Bill 2755, approved alongside the State Budget, at the last minute on May 31st, in Springfield, contained several revenue measures added in the final hours of the spring session. The bill’s original language designated July 25th of each year as Emmett Till Day, a day to honor the 14 year old African American boy who was kidnapped and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Democratic lawmakers gutted the bill’s original language and replaced it with the revenue provisions without discussion or debate.
(CHICAGO) The Illinois Supreme Court has announced amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances in Civil Proceedings, which are intended to give courts and justice partners concrete tools to enhance and improve their existing remote court practices. Speaking on behalf of the court, Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis says this will help increase access to justice in both urban and rural areas, plus the amendments will help statewide courts continue to improve the remote court experience.
(SPRINGFIELD) The state of Illinois now has a full month to respond to plaintiffs suing the state over the gun and ammunition magazine ban initiated in 2023. Plaintiffs groups filed their briefs earlier this month in the appeals court, supporting the district court’s finding that the law violated the Constitution’s Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The appeals court this week granted the state a delay to respond by July 28th.