WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own

Illinois to pause taxes on gas, groceries, school supplies starting Friday

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 08:09 AM PDT

CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday announced that tax relief is on the way for millions of Illinois residents.

The Illinois Family Relief Plan begins Friday and taxes on several essentials will be paused. The plan includes a suspension of state tax on groceries for one year, direct checks for some families, the earned income tax credit, a sales tax holiday for school supplies and the doubling of property tax rebates.

On the topic of school supplies, the governor announced a 10-day sales tax holiday for those items would take place in August.

The Family Relief Plan includes several tax holidays, meaning a temporary cut in taxes, including:

  • Groceries: The state's 1% sales tax will be suspended July 1 through June 30, 2023
  • Gas: The state's normally scheduled increase in the motor fuel tax will be delayed from July 1 to January 2023
  • School supplies: Sales taxes for qualified clothing and school-related items will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25% for a 10-day window from Aug. 5 to 14, Items include qualifying clothing and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $125 per item. Eligible school supplies are not subject to the $125 threshold.

In regards to the direct checks, Illinois residents making less than $200,000 per year, or $400,000 per year for couples filing jointly, qualify for the direct checks. Each taxpayer will receive $50, plus $100 for each dependent child, capped at three. Those checks are expected to be mailed the week of September 12.

As to the earned income tax credit, last year's increase in the credit now becomes permanent plus changes to its qualifying criteria will increase the number of households covered which can take advantage.

Watch the entire press conference in our video above.

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Your Hometown Eats: Homewood

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 12:43 PM PDT

WGN Radio is showcasing Homewood this month as part of our Your Hometown series.

You'll see some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, bars and spots for dessert in town featured in the Your Hometown: Homewood video and photo gallery, but we wanted to show you where Chicago's Very Own Eats co-host Michael Piff visited on his shoot earlier in June.

  • Mama and Me Pizza - 18219 Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL 60430
  • Grady's Snack and Dine - 18147 Harwood Ave, Homewood, IL 60430
  • EmpanadUS - 1943 Ridge Rd, Homewood, IL 60430
  • Blueberry Hill Pancake House - 2155 West, 183rd St, Homewood, IL 60430
  • Twisted Q Barbeque - 2053 Ridge Rd, Homewood, IL 60430
  • THE ORIGINAL Aurelio's - 18162 Harwood Ave, Homewood, IL 60430
  • The thin crust is great at Aurelio's but try their Calabrese style
  • Redbird Cafe - 2057 Ridge Rd, Homewood, IL 60430
  • A local favorite with the classic walk-up design, Dairy Queen - 1700 Ridge Rd, Homewood, IL 60430

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Photos: Home Sweet Homewood

Posted: 29 Jun 2022 10:01 PM PDT

Take a tour of Homewood in photos! One of the oldest villages in south Cook County, Homewood is located 25 miles south of the Loop. It offers plenty of amenities for residents and visitors alike. Love murals? Homewood has more Richard Haas murals than anywhere in the world.

Photos by Mike Piff; captions by Sara Tieman

Gallery 1:

  • Home Sweet Homewood!
  • Homewood: "You're in the right place"
  • American Dance Center (1933 Ridge Rd.) with Richard Haas mural.
  • Dixie Highway marker at the intersection of Dixie Highway and Hickory Road in Homewood.
  • The Dixie Highway was the first national road to link northern and southern states. The road went through downtown Homewood.
  • Aurelio's Pizza (18162 Harwood Ave.) has been part of the Homewood community since 1959.
  • Harwood Avenue, the location for Aurelio's Pizza.
  • Bosco sticks from Aurelio's Pizza
  • Blueberry Cafe (2155 W. 183rd St.) has been voted a top ten breakfast spot in Chicagoland.
  • Dorband Howe House (2035 183rd St,), Homewood's first official historic landmark. The home was built in 1891 with "Homewood" stamped brick from the local Gottschalk brickyard and one of five homes built for employees of the brickyard..
  • Today the Dorband Howe House is Homewood's Historical Society's Museum and Headquarters with a library, museum, and gift shop.
  • Water pump at Dorband Howe House.
  • Homewood Bat Co. (17845 Bretz Dr.) makes wood baseball bats fro youth and pro players.
  • About the type of wood Homewood Bat Co. uses to make their bats.
  • Many MLB players use bats made by Homewood Bat Co.
  • The Gottschalk House, built in 1891 by Henry Gottschalk, early mayor of Homewood. and owner of the Gottschalk brickyard.
  • Another angle of the Gottschalk House.
  • The "Homewood" stamped bricks in the Gottschalk House are from the Gottschalk brickyard which once stood on 183rd Street.
  • Lakes, woodlands, wetlands, ancient sand dunes and native prairie are all part of the 193-acre Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve.
  • Homewood Railroad Park (18015 Park Ave.)
  • Illinois Central Railroad cars
  • Illinois Central caboose
  • Trains were key to Homewood's growth.
  • Frank Building marker
  • Building in Homewood.
  • Homewood's location on the Illinois Central Railroad was crucial to its growth and development.
  • Homewood Science Center (18022 Dixie Hwy.)
  • Grady's Snack N' Dine (18147 Harwood Ave.)
  • Copper Still Martini Lounge & Speakeasy (1961 Ridge Rd.)
  • Homewood Florist (18064 Martin Ave.)
  • Empanadus (1943 Ridge Rd.)
  • La Banque Hotel, located in the old Homewood State Bank in downtown Homewood and built in 1925. The hotel was featured in the second season of the reality TV show "Love Is Blind."
  • Lassen's Tap ( 2131 183rd St.)

Gallery 2:

  • "Welcome to Homewood"
  • Ridgewood Bottle & Tap (2059 Ridge Rd.) is the site of Homewood's First Business, registered in 1853.
  • Marker for the Washington Park Racetrack, which operated in Homewood from 1926 until a fire in 1977. It was once the home to the nation's finest thoroughbred horses.
  • Homewood METRA station
  • Homewood's close proximity to Chicago and accessibility to train lines contributed to the village's growth and continues to be a benefit for residents.
  • Martin Avenue Square (18020 Martin Ave.)
  • "Downtown Homewood" sign.
  • Boutique shopping in Homewood like Loulou Belle (2049 Ridge Rd.).
  • Mama and Me Pizza (18219 Dixie Hwy.) serving the community for more than 25 years.
  • Mama and Me pizza.
  • Homewood was transformed by American muralist Richard Haas, best known for his architectural murals. Homewood now boasts the largest collection of Richard Haas murals anywhere in the world.
  • Richard Haas mural in Homewood.
  • Richard Haas mural marking Homewood's founding of 1893.
  • Richard Haas mural at Nielsen's Bakery (2053 Ridge Rd.)
  • A Homewood Fourth of July scene painted by Richard Haas.
  • Dixie Highway mural by Richard Haas.
  • Ravisloe Country Club, established in 1901, is one of several golf clubs in Homewood. In the 1920s, trains offered special schedules just to bring golfers from Chicago to Homewood.
  • Watch for golfers! Sign at Ravisloe Country Club.
  • Ravisloe's clubhouse is Spanish Mission-style.
  • Ravisloe is also a venue for private events.
  • Ravisloe Country Club
  • Statue of a golfer at Ravisloe.
  • Rabid Brewing (17759 Bretz Dr.)
  • Melody Mart, local music shop serving Homewood since 1956 (18062 Dixie Hwy.)
  • Richard D. Irwin Park (18120 Highland Ave.)
  • Green space at Homewood's Richard Irwin Park.
  • Redbird Cafe ( 2057 Ridge Rd.) serving farm-to-table cuisine.
  • Marker of original business at Redbird Cafe location.
  • Shop small! UpsaDaisy Boutique (18100 Martin Ave.)
  • Serendipity Yoga (18300 Dixie Hwy.)
  • Homewood Veterans Memorial

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Video: Your Hometown – Homewood

Posted: 29 Jun 2022 10:41 AM PDT

Jon Hansen visits Homewood and stops by locations including Homewood Bat Company, Homewood Disposal Service, the Homewood Science Center, Katz Milanec, and Ravisloe Country Club. Listen this Thursday, June 30, for a full day of special features about Homewood. NOTE: The yoga studio mentioned in this video is named "Serendipity Yoga." The video erroneously refers to it with an incorrect name.

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Fuel Your Pride with nutrition expert Dawn Jackson Blatner: Have some fun with your fruit

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 12:39 PM PDT

Author and food and nutrition expert Dawn Jackson Blatner joins guest host Anna Davlantes to give us some helpful tips on how you can add more fruits and vegetables to your snacks and desserts to make them fun!

These Illinois laws go into effect July 1

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 01:26 PM PDT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) -- Gov. JB Pritzker has signed more than 400 bills since the 102nd General Assembly convened in January 2021, and 13 of them take effect next week.

These are the laws that become effective on July 1.

Laws related to mental health

Senate Bill 2014: Provides that if a public higher education institution issues student identification cards to its students, the institution must provide contact information for certain suicide prevention and mental health resources on each student identification card. If an institution does not issue student identification cards to its students, the institution must publish the contact information on its website.

House Bill 1778: Provides that each school district that serves pupils in any of grades 6 through 12 and that issues an identification card to pupils in any of grades 6 through 12 shall provide contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and either the Safe2Help Illinois helpline or a local suicide prevention hotline or both on the identification card. Requires the contact information on the school's or institution's card to identify each helpline that may be contacted through text messaging. The contact information shall also be included in the student handbook and student planner if a student planner is custom printed by the school or institution.

Laws related to the Department of Children and Family Services

Senate Bill 0692: Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) shall:

  • Develop an appropriate licensing and monitoring system that recognizes the unique population and programming for youth served by the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program and
  • Maintain licensing staff who are knowledgeable of Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program standards, as set forth by the Department of Human Services.

This law also provides that the Department of Human Services shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a training curriculum for host homes that recognizes the unique population and programming of youth served in Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services.

House Bill 1746: Provides that each school board must (rather than may) appoint at least one employee to act as a liaison to facilitate enrollment and transfer of records of students in the legal custody of the DCFS. School districts will be required (rather than encouraged) to designate a liaison to DCFS by the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. For any student in the legal custody of the DCFS, the liaison must inform the Department's Office of Education and Transition Services of a parent-teacher conference or any other meeting concerning the student that would otherwise involve a parent and must, at the option of the caseworker, allow the student's caseworker to attend the conference or meeting. If a student is in the legal custody of the DCFS, the Department's Office of Education and Transition Services must be informed before a school student record is destroyed or any information in that record is deleted and shall have the right to inspect and copy all school student permanent and temporary records.

Laws related to the Department of Human Services

House Bill 4999: Provides that all early intervention services shall be initiated as soon as possible but not later than 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained for the individualized family service plan, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Human Services.

Laws related to municipal codes

House Bill 4326: Amends the Counties Code to provide that half of the 2% of the school facility occupation taxes, already collected and deposited into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund, shall be distributed to the regional superintendent of schools to cover the costs in administering and enforcing the provisions of the school facility occupation taxes Section of the Code. This law does not raise taxes.

Senate Bill 3737: Amends the Counties Code so that the county boards of Kane County, Kendall County, and Will County may impose a judicial facilities fee to be used for the building of new judicial facilities. Provides that in setting a judicial facilities fee and in the design and construction of the facilities, the county board shall set the fee and design and construct the facilities with the concurrence of the Chief Judge of the applicable judicial circuit or the presiding judge of the county in a multi-county judicial circuit.

Laws related to flushable wipes

Senate Bill 0294: Provides that manufacturers must clearly and conspicuously label a relevant product as "do not flush" in accordance with specified requirements. Municipalities and counties have concurrent and exclusive authority to enforce the Act and to collect civil penalties for violations of the Act and may impose a civil penalty in the amount of up to $2,000 for the first violation of the Act, up to $5,000 for the second violation, and up to $10,000 for the third and any subsequent violation.

Laws related to education

House Bill 3223: Provides that a student may disclose mitigating factors, such as the student's status as a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual violence, in suspension or expulsion hearings. Provides that home instruction or correspondence courses must be made available to students who are unable to attend school because of pregnancy-related conditions, parenting obligations related to the health of a child, or health and safety concerns arising from domestic or sexual violence. Includes attendance at a medical or therapeutic appointment and appointments with a victim services provider as a valid cause for absence from school. The purpose of this law is to ensure that Illinois schools have policies, procedures, and protocols in place that ensure children and students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence are identified by schools in a manner respectful of their privacy and safety, treated with dignity and regard, and provided the protection, instruction, and related accommodations and services necessary to enable them to meet State educational standards and successfully attain a school diploma.

Senate Bill 0662: Creates the School Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications from eligible social workers who are employed by a public elementary or secondary school in this State to encourage a grant recipient to use the financial assistance for the repayment of educational loans. Sets forth the purpose for giving priority under the program to applicants who are members of a racial minority.

House Bill 4580: Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code to require the Department of School Demographics and Planning ("DSP") to evaluate the enrollment at existing schools in the school district to determine if there is a need to revise existing boundaries. Requires DSP to submit a written report of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the chief executive officer and the Chicago Board of Education. If it is determined that there is a need to revise any existing boundaries or establish attendance boundaries for new schools, requires DSP to develop and recommend any proposed changes to existing boundaries or proposed boundaries for new schools. Requires the Board to conduct public hearings on the proposed establishment of or changes to attendance boundaries and the chief executive officer's recommendation prior to taking action on the establishment or revision of any attendance boundaries. Requires the Board to consider the factors of capacity, current and projected racial and ethnic considerations, geographic barriers, travel time and distance, and program considerations in making its decision on the establishment or revision of any attendance boundaries.

Laws related to insurance

House Bill 4595: Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or third-party payer and a 340B entity or 340B pharmacy shall not contain specified provisions. Provides that a violation by a pharmacy benefit manager constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance, and that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or a third-party payer and a 340B entity that is entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable. Provides that a Medicaid managed care organization or pharmacy benefit manager administering or managing benefits on behalf of a Medicaid managed organization shall not include specified provisions in a contract with a 340B entity or 340B pharmacy. Provides that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a Medicaid managed care organization or its pharmacy benefit manager and a 340B entity entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable.

House Bill 4703: Provides that when an insured receives emergency services or covered ancillary services from a nonparticipating provider or a nonparticipating facility, the health insurance issuer shall ensure that cost-sharing requirements are applied as though the services had been received from a participating provider or facility, and that the insured or any group policyholder or plan sponsor shall not be liable to or billed by the health insurance issuer, the nonparticipating provider, or the facility beyond the cost-sharing amount. Provides that health maintenance organizations and voluntary health services plans are subject to provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning billing and cost sharing.

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Homewood Disposal teaches kids how to save the environment

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 02:31 PM PDT

Peter Clevering, marketing director of Homewood Disposal, joins Lisa Dent on Chicago's Afternoon News to discuss how they've been serving communities since 1956.

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Best of the Midwest: Visit Lake Geneva!

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 12:36 PM PDT

Looking to take a quick getaway from the Chicago this summer? Well, John Williams has you covered with our "Best of the Midwest" feature. Today, guest host Anna Davlantes chats with Stephanie Klett, President and CEO, Visit Lake Geneva, to tell us about all the great things to do in Lake Geneva (aka The Hamptons of Chicago)! Stephanie talks about the Lake Geneva Cruise Line which includes the amazing U.S. Mailboat Tour. Does the birthplace of modern astrophysics intrigue you? Well, Lake Geneva has you covered with Yerkes Observatory. When you think of Lake Geneva, do you think of a safari? Well, let's change your mind with a visit to Safari Lake Geneva! And of course, you'll want to have fun on the water with surfing, sailing and paddle boarding. Don't miss a trip to Lake Geneva this summer.

Wintrust Business Lunch 6/30/22: Emergency savings, SBA waiver program, and Serendipity Yoga and Wellness

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 12:52 PM PDT

Segment 1: Greg McBride, Senior Vice President and Chief Analyst, Bankrate, chats with guest host Anna Davlantes about a new survey that shows the majority of US households are uneasy with their level of emergency savings.

Segment 2:  Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins guest host Anna Davlantes to talk about the volatility of the stock market today, how the market has performed this year, and the likelihood we see a recession.

Segment 3: Tom Huffman, EVP of Wintrust's SBA Lending division, joins Anna to talk about the Small Business Administration's waiver program that has been extended through September 2022. Tom tells us why businesses should consider this cheaper and more patient lending solution vs other lending options like credit card debt or cash advances.

Segment 4: It's Your Hometown Day on WGN and we are featuring businesses in Homewood. Elizabeth Smith, Founder and Owner of Serendipity Yoga and Wellness, joins Anna to talk about how long they have been in business, how they were impacted by the pandemic, the support they have received from the community in Homewood, the incredible services they offer and the upcoming Healthy Homewood Fest taking place on Saturday, July 16th from 12-8pm.

Homewood's Village President is excited about new casino developments

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 09:18 AM PDT

Homewood Village President Rich Hofeld joined Bob Sirott to discuss the latest on construction for a casino and other town developments. Later on, they discussed the events scheduled for the July 4th weekend, and President Hofeld talked about his favorite food spots and his memories of past concerts hosted in Homewood.