Toll hike revision heads to Senate
SPRINGFIELD — A proposal that could make it more difficult for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority board to approve toll hikes was sent to the Illinois Senate Tuesday.
The plan from state Sen. Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican, would require future toll hikes to be approved by eight members of the board. The proposal was approved by a Senate committee without debate.
Murphy's original plan was to have toll hikes be subject to approval by lawmakers, but he changed course. The most recent toll increase, approved last year, was approved by seven members of the toll board.
Murphy's plan now moves to the full Senate for further debate.
It wasn't the only plan approved by a Senate panel Tuesday.
Gambling enforcement
A proposal by state Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat, would give some police powers to investigators appointed by the Illinois Gaming Board in cases involving video gambling.
The investigators would be given training to handle the cases.
The plan was approved by a Senate committee and now moves to the full Senate. A Gaming Board official told lawmakers in the hearing that video gambling machines could be ready for Illinois bars by the end of the year.
The Office of the Repealer
State Sen. Kirk Dillard's plan to create a new state office — the Office of the Repealer — advanced Tuesday.
The office would go over the state's law books and try to find ways to eliminate repetitive or outdated laws.
The Hinsdale Republican's proposal was approved in committee.
Health care costs
Also approved in committee was a plan from state Sen. Pamela Althoff, a McHenry Republican, that would require legislation affecting the state's Medicaid program to carry a note that publicly reports the expected cost.
Lawmakers are talking about making $2.7 billion in cuts to Medicaid this year, and Althoff's plan now moves to the Senate floor for a vote.
The cost note wouldn't be required on legislation until it won preliminary approval from lawmakers.