Statewide Update—Jan. 27, 2011

• State Journal-Register—Illinois court throws out liquor taxes, video gaming, “If upheld by the state Supreme Court, the decision would wipe out video gaming, higher liquor and vehicle fees and increased sales taxes on some products.”

• (Gatehouse News Service) Peoria Journal Star—State AG says nominating petitions stay pending; Madigan says Senate has 60 sessions to confirm appointments, “Gubernatorial appointees who haven’t received Senate confirmation can continue to serve into the next General Assembly, according to Attorney General Lisa Madigan.”

• Bloomington Pantagraph—Republicans outline redistricting plans, “Even though their party won’t have much say in this year’s redistricting process, state House Republican staff are looking at preliminary census figures to draw their own version of a proposed legislative map.”

• The Southern—More charges filed against former deputy, “Former Saline County chief sheriff deputy and Harrisburg school district board president Todd Fort, already jailed on sex and misconduct charges, has been indicted by a Saline County grand jury on two counts of theft of governmental property.”

• Chicago Tribune—Stickney Village President Daniel O’Reilly improperly claimed property tax benefit for six years, official says, “O’Reilly claimed homeowner exemptions on the two businesses since 2003, despite having claimed the exemption on his home in Stickney since 1999.”

• (AP) State Journal-Register—State Sen. Brad Burzynski plans to retire, “His district covers DeKalb, Ogle, Boone, La Salle and Winnebago counties.”

• Peoria Journal Star—Union, leaders react to proposal for consolidated police force, “Leaders with the city’s police union are prepared to “protect ourselves” regarding a proposed consolidated city-county police force, while other local officials say it’s something worth looking into.”