Illinois Budget Deal Heading For House Vote
The state's epic budget impasse could end Thursday, as lawmakers were expected to vote on a stopgap spending plan, and a full-year education funding deal allowing schools to open in fall.
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The state's epic budget impasse could end Thursday, as lawmakers were expected to vote on a stopgap spending plan, and a full-year education funding deal allowing schools to open in fall.
State lawmakers were holding their breath Wednesday night over a tentative deal to end the epic budget stalemate.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and leaders in the Illinois Legislature continued meetings Wednesday to negotiate a short-term budget deal during the state's epic one-year stalemate.
Gov. Bruce Rauner and majority Democrats were pushing competing plans to ensure schools stay open and government operations continue, though there were signs late Tuesday that the two sides could reach a deal on stopgap spending as Illinois approaches a second year without a full state budget.
A day before state lawmakers were set to return to Springfield for another try at a stopgap budget plan, the governor and legislative leaders seemed to be sending mixed signals about the chances for a deal.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said Monday he's close to a compromise with Democratic lawmakers on a partial-year budget plan with just three days left in the fiscal year, but said that's not the case on legislation he favors to open public schools on time.
Illinois's entire social services landscape is sinking, pulled under by the weight of the state's budget quarrel. Thousands are suffering.
A top Republican lawmaker said it's likely the Illinois General Assembly will reach an agreement on a stopgap budget deal soon, but long-term solutions might take a while.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool told CBS 2 that CPS and many other districts in Illinois would be unable to open in fall if Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly cannot agree on some type of budget deal and approve funding for public schools across the state.
Illinois lawmakers signaled Monday they won't have a budget deal before a key deadline, leaving the state hurtling toward another fiscal year without a spending plan and bringing further uncertainty to public schools, colleges, and social services providers.
The emails started arriving as heads were still spinning in the state Capitol over Democrats ramming through a state budget proposal. The missives from Republicans on Wednesday accused the majority party of approving a plan that's out of balance by $7 billion.
Illinois legislative leaders are meeting again with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Sunday to try to settle a dispute that has left the state without a budget for 11 months, but the chances that they'll find agreement before the Legislature adjourns in two days are slim.
The rally comes just hours after the Illinois House approved Speaker Michael Madigan's budget plan, which would add $700 million for public schools statewide, including $287 million in additional funding for CPS.
Amid howls of protest from Republicans, the Democratic-led Illinois House passed a spending plan for next year Wednesday without considering any of the pro-business legislation GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner wants as part of a deal to end an historic budget stalemate.
The study for the Illinois Policy Institute, a conservative think tank, found the average salary for state workers here, when adjusted for cost of living, is just over $59,000 – about $10,000 more than the national average.
Illinois House Democrats advanced a $3.9 billion measure to fund colleges and human services programs while the state operates without a budget.
Governor Bruce Rauner said he's ready to sit down at talk with House Speaker Michael Madigan about budget issues, though he's not publicly suggesting he is backing off any of his previous positions, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley takes a look at the sky-high money that's being spent on two races for low-level offices.
In a rare move, President Barack Obama is joining the fray in an Illinois House race, backing a first-time candidate against a Democratic incumbent in a race that has become a proxy war in the battle between Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Governor Bruce Rauner said he's supporting legislation to make money available for higher education and scholarships for students, but he insists his nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan, is standing in the way, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
When state Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) met Thursday night for a 90-minute debate with 5th District Democratic primary challenger Juliana Stratton, virtually every topic circled back eventually to Dunkin's estrangement from Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
There is a push to unseat arguably the most powerful politician in Illinois: Speaker of the House Michael Madigan.
The Chicago Democrat says the political establishment -- led by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan -- is behind a smear campaign. CBS 2's Mike Parker reports.
The panel will meet with Illinois educators at the Capitol on Tuesday to address the state's decades-old education formula that some lawmakers say unfairly penalizes students in poor districts.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has postponed the Nov. 18 budget summit because a family matter will prevent House Speaker Michael Madigan from attending.
The Brookfield Zoo is hosting a unique animal-themed lantern festival this spring.
A health care worker at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago's Lakeview community got a big surprise this week — in the form of free tickets to the Chicago Bears playoff game this coming weekend.
Federal prosecutors charged 20 people in an alleged point-shaving scheme involving dozens of college basketball players, according to an indictment.
Chicago police have issued a community alert on a string of burglaries this week targeting businesses from the north lakefront to the Southwest Side.
Burglars broke into a bar in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood early Thursday morning.
A panel for the U.S. Central District Court of California ruled Democrats can proceed in using their redrawn congressional maps for the 2026 midterm elections.
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago President Kari Steele met Wednesday to talk about securing federal funding owed to the district for the Thornton Composite Reservoir.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) on Wednesday formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning with leaders within the Chicago Police Department and violence prevention partners.
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Illinois Rep. Michael Bost, a Republican.
Police in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva are warning of a scam involving spoofed phone numbers.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
Roughly 1.4 million fewer Americans have signed up for an Affordable Care Act plan as expiring tax breaks drive up premiums.
January is Radon Action Month, and the Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon.
Severe flu season is sending many people to hospital emergency rooms across the country, including in the Chicago area.
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
WSCR-AM, 670 The Score, will begin a simulcast on 104.3 FM next month.
Does the Chicago Bears' dramatic improvement this season, culminating in their first playoff run in five years, change the discussion about where they will build a new stadium?
The Piggery, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar in the northwest corner of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, announced Thursday that it is going out of business.
The Lincolnwood Town Center mall in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been sold to a developer, the village announced Wednesday.
They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but a longtime Chicago fried chicken institution said imitation went too far after a new business opened with a very similar name.
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at the age of 68, his first ex-wife revealed on Tuesday.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
The burglars hit Bruno's Lounge on Sheridan Road, and broke a front window.
A teen stood charged Thursday with shooting a young woman in the mouth in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood earlier this week.
A health care worker at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago’s Lakeview community got a big surprise this week — in the form of free tickets to the Chicago Bears playoff game this coming weekend.
The "Glow Wild: A Lantern Festival of Hope" opens on March 19 and runs through May 10.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, has formally introduced articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her of obstructing congressional oversight of immigration enforcement efforts.
A man is dead, and two others were injured after a shooting in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.
Lake effect snow will impact areas in Northwest Indiana on Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) on Wednesday formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
President Trump this week threatened to cut off federal funding to any states where local governments oppose his administration's immigration policies.
The Brookfield Zoo is hosting a unique animal-themed lantern festival this spring.
Lead-based paint was banned for serious health reasons in 1978, but most homes built before then remain covered in it.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Federal prosecutors charged 20 people in an alleged point-shaving scheme involving dozens of college basketball players, according to an indictment.
Kylan Boswell had 13 points and six assists for Illinois, which used its superior size to outscore Northwestern 34-18 in the paint.
The Chicago Bulls overcame Brice Sensabaugh's career-high 43 points to beat the Utah Jazz 128-126 on Wednesday night.
With a tough divisional matchup with the Rams coming up on Sunday, they are ready to mute all the cheesehead chatter.
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
Chicago police have issued a community alert on a string of burglaries this week targeting businesses from the north lakefront to the Southwest Side.
Burglars broke into a bar in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood early Thursday morning.
A teen stood charged Thursday with shooting a young woman in the mouth in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood earlier this week.
A man is dead, and two others were injured after a shooting in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.
Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that they have charged a registered nurse to giving counterfeit Ozempic to patients in Chicago.
