Illinois sues Deere
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining a lawsuit against Deere and Company, arguing the agricultural equipment manufacturer’s use of unfair practices has driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs on critical farming equipment, including tractors.
In the lawsuit, Raoul and the coalition seek to order the company to make available to owners of Deere’s equipment access to its fully functional Service ADVISOR repair tool and any other repair resources available to authorized dealers.
State to accept income tax filings beginning Jan. 27
The Illinois Department of Revenue has announced it will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Monday, Jan. 27, the same date the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting federal income tax returns.
Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File program this year. Eligible taxpayers will be able to use the program to electronically complete their 2024 federal tax returns for free.
Chicago police issue pickpocket alert
An alert has been issued by Chicago police after a rash of pickpocket thefts at downtown restaurants. Police said in the incidents, a group or lone person entered a crowded downtown restaurant to steal debit and credit cards from bags, purses and wallets. In a majority of the incidents, the cards are then used to make fraudulent purchases at a department store immediately after. There have been at least 14 thefts since Dec. 21.
