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I wonder how much of this new revenue will go toward repairing the state's ruined finances?
Most of it.
I know all of the Chicago revenue is targeted at funding pensions, which is basically the heart of Illinois problem.
Let's hope they stick to that.
Why would you care?
When the vast majority of population lives in Chicagoland and provides the huge majority of economic activity, why wouldn't Chicago figure predominately in legislation?77%. That includes the collar counties. Ag is king in Illinois and Chicago is big due to a few things, one is as financial center and shipping center, AG as a whole contributes massively to Chicago's growth as a commodity center. The one you won't want to talk about is how Chicago and Democrats exist to grow government and Chicago has become all too important to government as policies cannot pass unless they effect a net positive to Chicago. Grow government=grow Chicago.
Interestingly U of I is rivaling the more elite institutions in terms of academic admittance, with recent students averaging 29 on the ACT. That's surprising, and not too greatly off from Northwestern at around 31 or 32. And for some reason, the school is a huge hit with Chinese nationals, pushing nearly 6K the last few years. I have no idea what's up with that.Mrs. Hays is from Illinois, I went to graduate school at U. of I., and we have friends/family in the state. Mrs. Hays and I once considered Champaign-Urbana a possible retirement location, but the state's shaky finances took it out of contention.
Interestingly U of I is rivaling the more elite institutions in terms of academic admittance, with recent students averaging 29 on the ACT. That's surprising, and not too greatly off from Northwestern at around 31 or 32. And for some reason, the school is a huge hit with Chinese nationals, pushing nearly 6K the last few years. I have no idea what's up with that.
Nice little town, but man you're surrounded by cornfields!
Interestingly U of I is rivaling the more elite institutions in terms of academic admittance, with recent students averaging 29 on the ACT. That's surprising, and not too greatly off from Northwestern at around 31 or 32. And for some reason, the school is a huge hit with Chinese nationals, pushing nearly 6K the last few years. I have no idea what's up with that.
Nice little town, but man you're surrounded by cornfields!
:lamoI have a Champaign tee-shirt: "In the foothills of Mount Level."
:lamo
Haha! I have so much respect for those salt-of-the-earth independent small farmers. They are busting ass to be independent men, running their own small business past through the generations, living off the land. I can respect the hell out of that!
But damn, I don't think I could make it surrounded only by cornfields. But I will say this: It must be pretty nice and peaceful to sit on your porch, and see nothing but your own quiet land, hearing nothing but the sound of the birds or crickets. We never get that in the city or 'burbs, and that alone might be worth the price of admission. But while I crave quiet solitude from time-to-time, I don't think I could bear the isolation.
Some might call it a blessing, then. They live in a great rural area, with a cultural center and access to a world-class education, all without leaving the farm! Not many places on earth, like that.Champaign-Urbana is a very livable community of about 130,000. Those farmers own some of the richest soil on Earth.
Some might call it a blessing, then. They live in a great rural area, with a cultural center and access to a world-class education, all without leaving the farm! Not many places on earth, like that.
Wow, congrats.My son just finished up in engineering there- I know the school well.
The Chinese thing is from very active recruiting- the school is very attractive to Chinese students because of its programs in engineering and computer science, and the sheer number of Chinese nationals makes it easy for students to be comfortable. The Asian food in Champaign is as good or better then Chinatown these days.
Why is Illinois actively bringing in Chinese students in huge numbers? Because they pay $43,000/yr for tuition alone.
Wow, congrats.
I have two comments concerning your son:
1] The kid's intelligent.
2] The kid worked his ass off!
Because Champaign is one of the top engineering & comp sci schools in the country, which you obviously already know. Hell, you & I are communicating right now in large part because of Champaign, via Marc Andreesen and Mosaic!
Anyway, congrats again buddy. This really speaks well of your son, and to yourself as a parent.
:cheers:
(BTW I wasn't aware of the quality of Champaign's Chinese food scene, but will stop in to check it out the next time I'm passing through or nearby. Thanks for the heads-up.)
There’s a sushi place on campus that’s as good as any in Chicago, too.
U-C has really become a cosmopolitan place the last 20 years.
And the kid can’t be that smart. He moved to Manhattan despite landing a job in Chicago - he pays twice as much to live in an inferior city. You can’t even get a tavern cut pizza there!
My son says it’s great.
I’ve never been.
Already well-established when I was there in the 1970's.
It moved to Neil St a while ago.
When the vast majority of population lives in Chicagoland and provides the huge majority of economic activity, why wouldn't Chicago figure predominately in legislation?
If your speaking to the objection of corruption, then I agree.Chomsky, when the majority of government employment is in Chicago, and the current policy is to grow more government...
Its not just that Chicago is influencing policy but they are influencing policy to enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of the state and consequently future generations because the pension bills are enormous.
Wow- the IL legislature/Pritzker sure were productive for the 5/31 deadline!
(The deadline is that any law passed by 5/31 can go into effect 1/1/2020).
Sports betting will not only be legal, but also easily available.
Sounds like you’ll be able to be on games at lottery locations (!), albiet parlay bets only, but also will allow betting at stadiums (Soldier Field, UC) and casinos. Not sure if baseball will allow this.
Also, more casinos have been approved, including one that is four times bigger than any other in IL (4000 gaming positions vs 1200 now), casinos at the horse tracks (1200 positions), and...slot machines at O’Hare and Midway.
Love the people who whine about Illinois financial situation incessantly, and then, when steps are taken to fix the situation, the whine turns into whining about taxes.
The plastic bag tax is not for revenue- its to cut bag use.
The gas tax will pay for infrastructure.
The graduated tax is basically not going to affect 95% of people.
The FOID fee pays for administration. I dont have the desire to subsidize gun owners any more than I do now.
Now if we could only get them to reopen Balmoral and Maywood...
Yeah, and they tried to turn Balmoral into an equestrian show park, or some BS like that...Maywood is being demolished as we speak.
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