Illinois Quick Hits: Raoul says office shorted about $10M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has been shorted about $10 million from its overall state budget appropriation in 2026.

Raoul said during a City Club of Chicago event Tuesday that funding remained flat in budget legislation for fiscal year 2027 until 3 a.m. on June 1, a little more than an hour before the budget bill passed.

Raoul said his office received a $5 million increase in general funds but an overall $10 million decrease in the new budget.

ATTORNEYS GENERAL CALL FOR TOBACCO AD BAN IN AUTO RACING

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general calling on international auto racing organizations to ban sponsorships involving tobacco and nicotine products and terminate existing agreements involving those products.

In a letter to FIA and Formula One leadership, Raoul and the attorneys general cited nicotine pouch advertising connected to Formula One teams and events, including products marketed by major tobacco companies.

COOK COUNTY TAX BILLS ARE AGAIN DELAYED

Cook County officials say their next round of property tax bills will arrive about two months late.

County board president Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement that she intends to reopen a bridge fund program to help local governments manage the resulting gap in cash flow.

Technological problems have caused several delays in Cook County’s tax system in recent years, leaving municipalities and other taxing districts on the hook for interest lost and debts incurred because of the county’s delinquent distributions.

REPORT: IL HOME INSURANCE RATES ARE UP 68% SINCE 2020

A new report says Illinois ranks 17th in home insurance rates nationwide, with premiums up 68% since 2020.

LendingTree’s 2026 State of Home Insurance Report said Illinois homeowners pay $2,731 annually, 14% above the national average of $2,395.

The General Assembly recently passed House Bill 4273 to regulate property insurance.

HOUSE ANNOUNCES FALL VETO SCHEDULE

Five days after the state Senate released its calendar for fall veto session, the Illinois House has matched the schedule.

Both chambers are scheduled to meet in Springfield on Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.