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Life in Illinois gets more expensive on July 1 with multiple tax increases, new laws

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

ILLINOIS — The end of a grocery tax suspension, the increase of the state's tax on gas, the doubling of certain fees; there are multiple aspects of life in Illinois set to become more expensive on July 1. Most unique ice cream treats for your Chicago summer Tax on groceries returnsPerhaps the most far-reaching impending change is the return of the state's 1% tax on sales of groceries. Though one penny for every dollar spent is arguably a low amount, it is a tax which impacts nearly every resident of Illinois.Read the Illinois Department of Revenue's informational bulletin for retailers on the return of this tax.Motor fuel tax increasesThe state's Motor Fuel Tax Law imposes an annual increase on July 1 to Illinois' Part A fuel tax. This is a separate tax from the Part B rate determined January 1 every year, and any July 1 local municipal fuel tax increases such as those in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.The yearly increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index from th...

Doja Cat coming to Chicago's United Center with Ice Spice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP/WGN) — Rapper-singer Doja Cat — the Grammy Award winner, fashion muse, and creator of many TikTok hits — is set to embark on a 2023 North American tour this fall.Doja Cat will be joined by song of the summer contender Ice Spice and up-and-coming rapper Doechii, as they open on select dates of her 24-date run. The Scarlet Tour kicks off on Halloween night in San Francisco and runs through Dec. 13, with a final show scheduled in Chicago at the United Center. Ice Spice is scheduled to appear, according to Billboard.The tour will hit most major cities in the U.S. as well as Toronto. Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias to bring ‘Trilogy Tour’ to Chicago The announcement arrives a week after Doja Cat released a new single, a fiery rap titled “Attention” that negotiates her relationship with online commentary from fans and critics alike.Doja Cat first found mainstream fame when her 2018 single, “MOO!”, went viral. Since then, she’s been nominated for many Gr...

Philosophy of love baked into every treat at Chicago bakery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Pride — and pastry.In Chicago’s lakeview neighborhood, partners James Cox and Ryan Ibasco have combined their love of baking and their love of one another to create a sweet spot in the heart of the North Side.Filipino recipes meet American classics at Chicago Sugar Daddy. More: Pride: Stories of Chicago's Very Own The philosophy of love and community baked into every item.You can visit Chicago Sugar Daddy patisserie at the corner of Broadway and Melrose, Tuesday through Sunday.

WATCH: Police tear Winnebago open with excavator, arrest barricade suspect in Virginia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) – A man who barricaded himself inside a Winnebago after leading police on a chase has been arrested in Henrico County, Virginia, by Virginia State Police. Officers used an excavator vehicle to tear open the Winnebago and apprehend the suspect inside.The incident began around 2:30 a.m. on Friday morning when deputies in King William County were called to a residence for a domestic dispute.Deputies learned that a man had driven away from the scene in a 1992 Winnebago. Law enforcement pursued the vehicle as far as Glenside Drive in Henrico County, where Virginia State Police took the lead in the chase.(Photo: Allie Barefoot, 8News)(Photo: Allie Barefoot, 8News)(Photo: Allie Barefoot, 8News)(Photo: Allie Barefoot, 8News)(Photo: Allie Barefoot, 8News)(Photo: Allie Barefoot, 8News)(Photo: Allie Barefoot, 8News)(Photo: Howard Williams, 8News)(Photo: Howard Williams, 8News)(Photo: Howard Williams, 8News)The Winnebago stopped when it ran out of gas near an intersec...

Dr. Dre becomes first-ever artist to receive new ASCAP award: 'I feel so fortunate'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

(KTLA) – The "Next Episode" for Dr. Dre is a big one. The native of Compton, California, received a high honor from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) on Thursday night, becoming the first-ever artist to be presented with the organization's Hip-Hop Icon Award. ‘There was no problem’: Dr. Dre on Eminem taking a knee during Super Bowl show "I feel so fortunate to be involved in a movement where disenfranchised Black youth had a hand in revolutionizing our culture," the producer said accepting the honor. "Hip-hop gave an outlet to a creative young man like myself and allowed us to be seen and heard beyond the concrete walls of our neighborhood."Dr. Dre's friend and frequent collaborator Snoop Dogg was also in attendance to celebrate the former's award.Dr. Dre received a high honor from ASCAP on Thursday night, becoming the first-ever artist to be presented with the organization's Hip-Hop Icon Award. (KTLA)Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, has a caree...

Major NASCAR street closures in Chicago start this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A host of major street closures in downtown Chicago for the NASCAR races in early July begin this weekend. On Sunday, the first major closure in a week full of them takes place as crews get the 2.2-mile course around Grant Park ready for the Chicago Street Races on July 1 and 2. Construction is well underway as crews are putting up suites, grandstands, along with barriers and fencing around the circuit. A guide to the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race Here are the closures that are ahead this week, starting on Jackson Drive on Sunday just after Midnight. Sunday, June 25 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight closure of westbound Roosevelt Rd between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Dr.  Sunday, June 25 – Beginning at 1 a.m. - Closure of Jackson Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr. and closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd. Monday, June 26 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Closure of Congress Plaza Dr. and lane closures on eastbound Roosevelt R...

The U.S. is short more than 4 million homes: analysis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

(The Hill) – Americans seeking to move out on their own outnumbered available housing by almost two to one in 2021, according to a new report. There were roughly 8 million individuals or families who lived in another person's home in 2021 and just 3.7 million homes for rent or sale, Zillow revealed Friday, leaving a deficit of 4.3 million homes. How much apartment space does $1,500 buy in the top US cities? "The U.S. housing market is like a high-stakes version of the game musical chairs," Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow, said in a news release. "There are simply not enough homes for millions of people. Unless we address the shortage of smaller, more-affordable, starter-type homes, we risk leaving families without a seat — and it will only get worse over time,” he added. Zillow’s analysis notes that the crisis is hitting low-income families the hardest with 68% in this category sharing spaces. And the housing gap was greatest in some of the most expensive coa...

Lineup announced for ACL Radio’s Blues on the Green

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 23, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Limits Radio announced the 2023 lineup for its annual Blues on the Green concert. Austin’s Blues on the Green returns for 32nd season The two-day event will have live music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 18 and 19 at Zilker Park. It is free to attend, according to organizers. The concert series originally began in the early 1990s as a small gathering at the Arboretum before expanding into the present day, multi-day series.Food and non-alcoholic beverages from local restaurants and businesses will be available on-site. Those over the age of 21 can purchase alcohol from a bar located at the front of the stage.Zilker Park is located at 2100 Barton Springs Road in south Austin. Organizers provided additional information on how to get to the event.Tuesday, July 18ACL Radio said the first-day performers included Devon Gilfillian with Phillip Phillips and music starting at ...

Supreme Court says states can't overrule Biden on whom to deport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

Texas and Louisiana do not have authority to challenge the Biden administration’s guidelines for when to deport migrants from the country, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday, handing a win to President Biden on immigration policy. In an 8-1 decision, the court determined the two states lacked the standing to sue over one of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) earliest directives.“The States essentially want the Federal Judiciary to order the Executive Branch to alter its arrest policy so as to make more arrests,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the majority.“But this Court has long held ‘that a citizen lacks standing to contest the policies of the prosecuting authority when he himself is neither prosecuted nor threatened with prosecution.’”The suit from Texas and Louisiana challenged the DHS’s immigration enforcement policies, which includes guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prioritize certain immigrants for detention and deportation. The polic...

'Heat dome' means Texas can't escape scorching hot temperatures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:50:25 GMT

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The state of Texas has been roasting in record-breaking heat for a little over a week now, but why does it seem only to be affecting the Lone Star State and portions of the southern United States? NEXT: What is a heat burst? Texas is experiencing an unprecedented June state-wide heat wave with heat indexes ranging from nearly 115° to 120° across the state on some days.As of Wednesday, June 21, 34,284,841 people were listed as being under heat alerts by the National Integrated Heat Health Information System. The National Weather Service has issued several excessive heat warnings, the most dangerous heat alert, throughout the week across Texas warning residents to stay inside. A typical heat wave would run its course and move on across the U.S., but this particular heat wave does not seem to want to leave. That is because this is not a normal heat wave.Texas is situated right in the middle of a 'Heat Dome,' which is created by a strong ch...