Illinois in Focus

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_438aa328-12f9-11ef-be51-0357e350a26f.html

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Illinois state agencies are being directed to prepare for $800 million less than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed for the fiscal year 2025 budget. The General Assembly has until May 31 to pass a budget with simple majorities. Fiscal 2025 begins July 1. Pritzker proposed a $52.7 billion budget in February that included about $1 billion in tax increases. In a memo obtained by The Center Square sent out to state agency directors Wednesday, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said it has "become clear that opposition to proposed revenue is significant enough to direct agencies to prepare for the possibility of reductions to proposed spending" and "we must prepare to implement a potential balanced budget scenario with $800 million less in available revenue."

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In less than 24 hours, Illinois Statehouse Democrats passed a measure that changes election law, a move Republicans say is a slap in the face of voters in the middle of an election cycle. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signaled support.  Senate Bill 2412 originally started as a measure impacting child welfare, but late Wednesday, House Democrats gutted the bill to bring about an elections measure. House Republicans voted present and walked off the floor in protest, saying the measure was dropped on them last minute. 

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_2b607af8-08cb-11ef-be4b-4314e8b49453.html

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The Chicago Bears on Wednesday unveiled details about a proposed new stadium complex on the lakefront in which the NFL team will seek taxpayer funding, something that is not sitting well with Illinois' governor and legislative leaders.

The team is planning to build a state-of-the-art, domed lakefront stadium near Soldier Field, its current stadium. The Bears said they'd provide over $2 billion for the project, which they said would cover over 70% of the costs. But projections put the total price tag at around $4.7 billion.

Full stories:

Chicago Bears look for public financing in building a new stadium

Education expert analyzes Invest in Kids’ record-breaking numbers for final year

State senator: Pritzker ‘gaslighting’ Illinoisans he says engage in migrant ‘hysteria'

Pritzker: State prepared for possible protests at Democrat's convention

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Advocates on both sides of the debate around gun control are using this week to champion their issues at the Illinois Statehouse. On Tuesday, hundreds of gun control advocates from Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action and others, including some from Minnesota, discussed their priorities during a rally at the Illinois Statehouse. One Aim Illinois Deputy Director Yolanda Androzzo pushed for gun control measures. “Illinois state legislators have the opportunity, it’s an opportunity to ensure protection through protection and justice for survivors of gun violence,” she said.

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_c646ec30-fced-11ee-8aba-8bfbc4e273cd.html

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Illinois taxpayers will be paying significantly more so state employees can have "Cadillac" health insurance coverage. 

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability met Tuesday in Springfield to review the fiscal year 2025 state employees’ group insurance program. According to the 2025 budget plan, the State Employee Group Health and Life Insurance program is proposed to receive more than $6.9 billion, a 21% overall increase from last year, when the program received $5.7 billion.

The state's taxpayers and workers share in the cost of the program.

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As Illinois public health officials handle the ongoing outbreak of measles originating in a Chicago shelter for noncitizens, the state’s public health director said Thursday that two cases of tuberculosis also have been identified at a migrant shelter. Last month, the first cases of measles were discovered at a migrant shelter in Chicago. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra reported to legislators in Springfield Thursday.

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_ba23dd58-f2a9-11ee-8c1f-130add289b2b.html

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A shakeup at the Illinois Prisoner Review Board has Republicans calling for reforms. Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said the resignation of two people from the PRB Monday, member LeAnn Miller and Chair Donald Shelton, following a recent parolee allegedly murdering a child and stabbing their mother is “another example of [Gov. J.B. Pritzker] failing to oversee an agency under his control.” State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, said the PRB shouldn’t be under Pritzker’s control.

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(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vows to continue with his agenda despite an apparent defeat of his Bring Chicago Home referendum this week.   The measure, which would have increased the city’s real estate transfer tax on properties over $1 million and, according to Johnson, use the funds to pay for homelessness programs, now appears to be rejected by voters. Fifty-four percent of voters said “no” to 46% “yes” with 98% of precincts reporting. “All the votes have not been counted so it has not been declared just yet,” Johnson said. “Look, there are 68,000 people unhoused, that’s the focus.”

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Illinois business owners are bracing for a potential tax hit from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The governor’s proposed budget extends the cap on business net operating losses, but increases the cap to $500,000. His office estimates the “revenue adjustment” will raise $526 million, the bulk of the nearly $900 million of tax increases in his $52.7 billion spending proposal.

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