Times Lee News Service Reports

SPRINGFIELD

Senate proposal would tax phone-in horse bets

The Illinois Senate approved legislation last week that would tax betting on horse races over the phone or Internet.

State Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, sponsored the measure, which passed the Senate on 37-13 vote Thursday.

Cullerton said the proposal would not expand gambling, but would tax those who already are betting on races over the phone.

Opposition to the measure was scattered beyond party lines, with some Republicans voting in favor of it and some Democrats voting against it.

Licensing phone-in or Internet bets could bring in an estimated $1 million in revenue.

Senate Bill 2702 now heads to the House for more debate.

SPRINGFIELD

Senate advances ban on flavored cigarettes

The Illinois Senate on Thursday moved to take the flavor out of flavored cigarettes, saying the mint-, fruit- and candy-flavored smokes clearly are designed to appeal to children.

The Senate voted 39-12 to ban the sale in Illinois of any cigarette that contains a component that "causes such cigarette or its smoke to have a characterizing flavor."

The flavor of tobacco and menthol would still be allowed, but other popular flavors -- including chocolate, vanilla, honey, nuts, cocoa and spice -- would be banned.

Senate Bill 2825 now moves to the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD

State buildings to be more energy-efficient?

A proposal pending in the Illinois Senate would mandate all new state facilities be built to more environmentally friendly standards.

State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, held a news conference on the measure at the capitol Thursday, citing research indicating "green" buildings lead to substantial long-term savings in energy costs.

"Basically what we're talking about is making the buildings as energy-efficient as possible," Boland said.

Boland said new buildings could include increased insulation, high-efficiency systems such as geo-thermal or solar heating, and greater use of natural lighting and ventilation.

Research indicates the up-front cost of a new building could be between 2 percent and 8 percent more than a building under the current standards, according to the legislation.

House Bill 5113 won approval in the House on April 2 and might be debated by the Senate next month.

SPRINGFIELD

Schools prepare for possible trans fat ban

School officials say a proposed state ban on trans fats in school meals is another in a long line of orders from lawmakers that don't include any money to cover the likely increase in costs.

On Thursday, the Illinois Senate voted 33-19 to ban the use of trans fats in school cafeterias.

The measure, which now awaits action in the House, is aimed at making school lunches healthier.

State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, who is the superintendent of Hutsonville Community Unit School District 1, said the measure is another unfunded mandate on Illinois schools and the cost of swapping current cooking oils for natural oils will hit schools.