Illinois Business Journal Illinois Business Journal
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Illinois House of Representatives and Senate Legislators in the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate were sent home June 1 after a budget impasse at the regular session deadline of midnight, May 31. In addition to a stall-out in plugging the $54 billion budget's $2.3 billion hole, elected officials are less at odds with each other than they are with the governor and House speaker. Bankers, lobbyists successful in keeping state tax exemption
By KERRY L. SMITH

   SPRINGFIELD - A major piece of banking legislation that would have cost Illinois banks at least a $1 million each annually was defeated in the final days of the 93rd General Assembly, leaving Southwestern Illinois bankers relieved but cautious until next session. [continue]


Stalled Transportation Bill
Congress' inability to pass a new six-year transportation reauthorization bill spells a sluggish start to the construction season and threatens to derail mega-projects like the New Mississippi River Bridge.

Stalled transportation bill puts peak construction season in jeopardy
By ALAN J. ORTBALS

   While some progress is being made in the effort to pass a new federal transportation reauthorization bill, insiders are skeptical whether the bill will be passed in time to save the 2004 construction season. [continue]
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April stats show job losses slowing, tax and fee hikes still worrying businesses
By KERRY L. SMITH

   Despite an optimistic picture painted by the Illinois Department of Employment Security's latest statistics, business leaders and economists are concerned about the long-term ramifications the governor's latest tax and fee hikes will have on the "jobless recovery" in Southwestern Illinois and across the nation.
   Unemployment figures [continue]

 Jobs Creation: Illinois vs. U.S.