SPRINGFIELD, IL – Plans for the Illiana Expressway project received a major boost thanks to legislation passed today by State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights). Senate Bill 3318 will streamline the planning process in the hopes that ground can be broken on the project by 2016. 

The Illiana Expressway is expected to bring in over $6 billion in investment over a thirty-year period. Construction is expected to create up to 4,300 short-term construction jobs and 13,800 long-term jobs in northeastern Illinois.

“We are moving full steam ahead on the Illiana Expressway to spur economic development in the region,” Hutchinson said. “We want to continue to see improvement in the state and local economy. This measure will help facilitate job growth and interstate commerce both now and in the future. This is a vastly important investment in the economic future of our region.”

The Illiana Expressway Act became law in 2012, laying the groundwork for a highway connecting Illinois’ Interstate-55 and Indiana’s Interstate-65. The project represented a partnership transcending both party and state lines in an organized effort that prioritized the goal of economic growth.

“Legislators and Governors of all political stripes came together to set this project in motion,” Hutchinson stated. “Everyone recognizes that job creation is our number one priority and by ensuring that the timetables are met, we can further accelerate economic development in our state and region.”

After passing the Senate, the legislation now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.

 

Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) sat down to give an update on controversial legislation which is set to be heard by the full Senate body in the coming weeks. The measure, dubbed the strip club surcharge, would fund sexual assault organizations in Illinois through a controversial $5 surcharge on adult entertainment clubs cleared the Senate Public Health committee this week.

 

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The Strip Club Surcharge: BY THE NUMBERS

5	the number of dollars collected for each patron who enters an establishment that sells both live nudity and alcohol. Any establishment that does not have full nudity, or that does not allow alcohol, would be exempt.
2009	the year of a study on this issue that concluded: “Are sexually oriented businesses, alcohol, and the victimization and perpetration of sexual violence against women connected? An exhaustive review of the literature says yes.”
33	the number of rape crisis centers in Illinois
50-70	the estimated number of Illinois strip clubs affected by the tax
1/4	the amount of funding rape crisis centers have lost over the last four years ($4.6 million this year, down from $5.8 million in 2009) the millions of dollars of estimated revenue the tax would generate for rape crisis centers in Illinois
6-12	the millions of dollars of estimated revenue the tax would generate for rape crisis centers in Illinois
18,000	the number of clients served by Illinois rape crisis centers in Fiscal Year 2011
5,000	the number of criminal sexual assaults reported to State Police in 2009

Source: http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1907519430/Strip-club-tax-would-fund-sexual-violence-prevention

 

Related:

Strip club surcharge moves to full Senate for debate (VIDEO)

Sexual assault organizations could see increased funding under proposed adult entertainment fee (VIDEO)

 

 

The Center for Economic Progress helps nearly 30,000 people in Illinois file their taxes. Senator Toi Hutchinson wants Chicago Heights residents to know about a one-day tax assistance workshop on Saturday, March 31 from 10am to 1pm at Prairie State College. If you need assistance in preparing your return and ensuring you get all the credits you have earned and refunds you are owed, CEP is ready to help.

Details on this event and what you need to bring, as well as more information available through CEP’s website and a scan-able QR code, are available on this flier.