Latest news with #ChristopherBelt
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IL State Senator pushing ban of ‘bait-and-switch' gym membership sales tactic
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — An Illinois State Senator is pushing a proposal to stop gyms from altering benefits of a 'promised lifetime membership.' State Senator Christopher Belt said in a news conference he's highlighting legislation that would prevent gyms and fitness centers from cancelling or changing benefits of their promised lifetime memberships, otherwise known as a 'bait-and-switch' tactic. Illinois Supreme Court hears arguments over Sean Grayson's pretrial status 'This bill is about fairness, trust, and making sure that when a business offers a lifetime membership, it actually means lifetime membership — not one year, not until they decide to change the deal, but for the life of the customer,' Belt (D-Swansea) said. 'We're setting a fair and clear standard that responsible businesses are already following and that gym-goers deserve.' Senate Bill 314 requires physical fitness centers that offer these lifetime memberships to be upfront about any provisions in the contract that would allow them to decrease benefits or increase prices. Additionally, these terms have to be clearly disclosed, meaning no fine print or 'legal gymnastics.' This bill also includes commonsense exceptions — meaning if the customer agrees in writing to new terms, or if the gym is sold to an unaffiliated company, those are legitimate reasons to revisit the contract. Over 13% of Central Illinoisans are food insecure: EIF, Feeding America 'The days of bait-and-switch tactics of selling someone on a lifetime deal and then changing the rules a year later need to end,' Belt said. 'I urge my colleagues in the House to pass Senate Bill 314 and give our residents the protection they've asked for.' The bill passed the Senate and is currently awaiting consideration before the Illinois House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Illinois' gas tax goes up on July 1st. Here's by how much:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois drivers: brace yourselves. The annual gas tax increase is about to kick in on July 1st, 2025. The automatic Motor Fuel Tax increases to account for inflation. Currently, Illinois residents pay the second-highest gas tax in the country, behind California. The gas tax is now .45 cents per gallon, but on July 1st it will go up to .47 cents per gallon. The average car holds between 12 and 16 gallons of gas, meaning drivers should expect to spend between .24 and .32 cents extra at the pump. The Motor Fuel Tax will account for a range of $5.64 and $7.52 in taxes per full tank of gas, on average. The tax on diesel fuel rises from .52 cents to .54 cents per gallon. A new proposal in Springfield would change how Illinois funds its roads by charging drivers by the mile instead of a gas tax. The proposal, filed by Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Sen. Christopher Belt (D-East St. Louis), calls for starting a pilot program to study the effectiveness of charging drivers by the mile, something the state is considering due to the prevalence of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on Illinois roadways. Since fuel-efficient cars use less gasoline, fewer tax dollars will be available for road infrastructure. Electric vehicle owners currently pay a $100 premium on their annual license plate sticker renewal to offset losses to the Illinois Motor Fuel Tax. Oregon and Utah have already implemented similar programs, and five other states, including Pennsylvania and California, are considering it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Illinois considers new way to fund roads: Charging drivers by the mile
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new proposal in Springfield would change how Illinois funds its roads, by charging drivers by the mile instead of a gas tax. The proposal, filed by Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Sen. Christopher Belt (D-East St. Louis), calls for starting a pilot program to study the effectiveness of charging drivers by the mile, something the state is considering due to the prevalence of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on Ilinois roadways. Since fuel-efficient cars use less gasoline, fewer tax dollars will be available for road infrastructure. Electric vehicle owners currently pay a $100 premium on their annual license plate sticker renewal, to offset losses to Illinois Motor Fuel Tax. Participants in the program would report their mileage to the Illinois Department of Transportation under the pilot program, either via a transponder on their car or by sending a photo of their odometer to IDOT. Oregon and Utah have already implemented similar programs, and five other states, including Pennsylvania and California, are considering it. Illinois residents currently pay the second-highest gas tax in the country besides California, at 66 cents per gallon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
