Madison - St. Clair Record

New rule sets minimum standard for clarity in bankruptcy courts

By Christopher Knoll | Mar 2, 2017

EAST ST. LOUIS – The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois published a notice on Feb. 7 announcing greater clarity for the nation’s creditors as it pertains to Chapter 13 insolvencies. The newly added Rule 3015.1 requires, as of December 2017, the use of a national form for Chapter 13 plans unless a district already has a process that meets the requirements in the new rule.

Illinois residents could face sticker shock over beverage tax proposal

By Christopher Knoll | Jan 17, 2017

SPRINGFIELD – If you think you're already paying too much for sweetened liquid refreshments, hold on to your wallet. If approved by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law, Senate Bill 9 would sharply raise the price consumers pay for packaged sodas, syrup-based coffee drinks and tea.

Republican state senator weighs in on Illinois budget quagmire

By Christopher Knoll | Jan 13, 2017

State Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) calls for lower taxes on businesses, reduced regulations and civil justice reforms combined with belt-tightening as the types of measures needed to get the state out of its financial straits.

Many voters do not see budget cuts hitting them directly, poll finds

By Christopher Knoll | Oct 19, 2016

CARBONDALE – Consistent with a trend beginning in 2009, a recent poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University found that a slowly growing number of state voters do not see a series of proposed budget and spending cuts as affecting them directly.