Lawmakers return to Springfield as projected budget deficit looms
Illinois lawmakers returned to Springfield Tuesday for the first time since May following news earlier this month that they’re facing a projected $3.2 billion budget deficit.
Illinois lawmakers returned to Springfield Tuesday for the first time since May following news earlier this month that they’re facing a projected $3.2 billion budget deficit.
If the projections hold true, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker could face difficult financial decisions, from increasing taxes to cutting spending. The relative financial calm that has marked Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s six years in office may soon be coming to a close as his administration Friday forecast a more than $3 billion budget shortfall for the
URBANA — The University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved an $8.3 billion budget for the current fiscal year, representing a 6.2% increase from fiscal year 2024. The U of I system reported another record year in student enrollment for the fall semester, with a systemwide total of 97,772 enrolled students at the universities in
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the state budget on Wednesday that eliminates the statewide, 1 percent grocery tax. Because the tax was a source of revenue for local governments, the city of Champaign is looking for ways to offset a loss of about $2.7 million per year.
Two chambers ‘very close’ on agreement, but further amendments expected.
The votes on raising the nation’s debt ceiling fell along party lines among the downstate Illinois congressional delegation.
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL15) says she will not support the debt ceiling deal negotiated by President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy.
The plodding along on the state budget could still see the Illinois House passing the $50.6 billion spending plan by Friday.
Measure came to vote after frenzied two days of closed-door negotiations.
CHAMPAIGN — With city revenues down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Champaign City Council Tuesday night endorsed the idea of cutting spending by cutting city staff. They want to do this by offering buyouts to an estimated 15 to 25 employees who agree to leave voluntarily. During the Great Recession, the city of Champaign
State Crop Sustainability Goal Is Centuries Away PEORIA – Illinois is still two centuries away from hitting towards its goal of planting enough cover crops to make a significant dent in nutrient pollution in waterways. That’s according to a coalition of environmental groups responding to the state’s recently-released biennial Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy report. Nutrient
Passing a state budget is arguably the most important thing the Illinois General Assembly does every year — or at least should do every year. After last year’s drama — when a two-year standoff ended with a Republican revolt against Governor Bruce Rauner — it’s an open question about how things will go this year.