Importance of Safety Measures at Upcoming DNC Highlighted Amid Tragedy
In the wake of the tragic shooting at a recent political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, law enforcement officials are reaffirming confidence in security protocols for the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.
During the political rally for former President Donald Trump, a gunman fired several shots, killing one spectator and injuring three others, including the former president.
Considering this act of violence, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) have announced they are confident in their security protocols, but will adjust resources as needed at the DNC, which will be at Chicago’s United Center August 19-22. The United Center and its immediate vicinity will be overseen by the Secret Service while the CPD will secure the areas outside of the Secret Service’s purview.
Almost 5,000 delegates from across the country will travel to Chicago, along with an estimated 50,000 visitors for the 2024 DNC. In addition, President Biden has announced that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for president In August at the Dem National Convention. Much more to come in the next few weeks.
“The recent attack on President Trump, which sadly resulted in the death of one man and injuries to others, shows just how dangerous our divided political climate has become.” Said Sen. Bennett. “My thoughts and prayers go out to President Trump, the other victims and their families. Violence against any public official is never acceptable regardless of political beliefs. God bless those affected and our country.”
Governors’ Progressive Tax Rate for Sportsbooks Doubles Rates for Some Operators
Earlier this month, Illinois began a sharp tax increase on its sportsbooks, with rates more than doubling for some operators.
This tax hike, driven by Governor Pritzker’s bloated budget, introduces a progressive tax system to Illinois’ robust sports betting industry. Under the new tax system, the industry will move away from a flat 15% rate to a graduated structure, ranging from 20% for its lowest-earning sportsbooks to up to 40% for high-end earners. This change is expected to impact both sportsbook operators and everyday bettors in the state.
During the spring legislative session, Senate Republicans voiced strong opposition to the new tax rates for Illinois sportsbooks, arguing that the increased taxes could harm both the industry and casual bettors. Republican lawmakers were also concerned that higher rates could drive operators out of the state and reduce the quality of sports betting options available to Illinois consumers.
When the proposal was first brought forward, some of the titans of the sports betting industry, including FanDuel, threatened to potentially leave the state if the new tax structure was implemented but have since reevaluated. However, concerns remain that the tax hikes will result in a net-negative outcome for Illinoisans, with major gaming outfits potentially looking to spend their marketing budgets elsewhere and offering less promotional opportunities for Illinois bettors.
Senate Republicans and Treasurer’s Office Team Up to Return Unclaimed Property to Illinois Residents
Senate Republicans are partnering with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to bring ICASH events to communities across the state, helping residents identify and reclaim unclaimed property held by the Treasurer’s Office. Since 2015, the Treasurer’s Office has successfully returned over $2 billion in assets to Illinoisans. Senator Bennett just recently held an ICASH event at the beginning of the month.
According to the Treasurer’s website, unclaimed property includes abandoned intangible assets such as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, overpayments, insurance checks, payroll checks, utility refunds, money orders, un-cashed checks, dividends, stocks, bonds, and the contents of safe deposit boxes, among other things.
Senator Bennett along with other Senate Republicans are committed to continuing these ICASH events throughout Illinois, providing local access to ICASH services and assisting residents in claiming their rightful property. The process is free of charge, requiring only proper identification to return the property.
The next ICASH Event with Senator Tom Bennett is September 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Metamora Village Hall.
For more information and to conduct searches, interested individuals can visit the Illinois unclaimed property official state site.
How much do we owe?
As of the time of this writing, the State of Illinois owes $654,163,818.28 to state vendors, including 10,397 pending vouchers. This figure represents the amount of bills submitted to the office of the Comptroller and still awaiting payment. It does not include debts that can only be estimated, such as our unfunded pension liability which is subject to a wide range of factors and has been estimated to be more than $139 billion. At the same time last year, the state’s accounts payable stood at a little less than $2 billion.
Did You Know?
Did you know that honey never spoils? Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible! Honey’s low water content and acidic pH create an inhospitable environment for bacteria and microorganisms, which contributes to its preservation. Archaeologists have indeed found ancient honey in Egyptian tombs, and it has been tested and found still edible. This fact is often highlighted in discussions about the durability of food preservation.
This Week in the 53rd District
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