State Budget Stalemate Drags On With No Deal In Sight
Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state's top four lawmakers seemed to meet in vain Tuesday, attempting to end a two-year budget standoff, but they'll give it another shot Thursday.
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Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state's top four lawmakers seemed to meet in vain Tuesday, attempting to end a two-year budget standoff, but they'll give it another shot Thursday.
Meanwhile, the state's finances continue to burn, says one government watchdog. CBS 2 Political Reporter Derrick Blakley reports.
The man who challenged Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and lost in the Democratic primary this year has filed a federal lawsuit against Madigan, accusing him of fraud and defamation.
A voter referendum aimed at changing the way Illinois draws its political boundaries is unconstitutional for the November ballot, a judge determined Wednesday.
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.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
From temporary shelter to a place to call home; that's the goal of a LaGrange-based nonprofit, which received $15 million in funding to continue creating a path forward for those experiencing homelessness.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
President Trump spoke with CBS News Friday in a new telephone interview.
The House OK'd a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, after Republicans revolted and refused President Trump's push for a longer extension.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
But underground construction work on a presidential bunker underneath the ballroom can continue, the judge said.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Skyrocketing property taxes continue to be a hot-button issue in Cook County — particularly since last fall, when many residents saw their tax bills increase by 100% or more.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
It has been several weeks since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois, abruptly shut down — and then on Wednesday, it just as swiftly partially reopened, with some services available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Allergy season is here, and the dreaded pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Northwestern Medicine and the American Red Cross teamed up for a community blood drive in Chicago on Monday morning.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A new restaurant has joined the busy stretch of Halsted Street toward the south end of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood that is also home to Alinea and Boka.
The federal government is suing Illinois, Connecticut and Arizona over efforts to regulate prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
The owners of the popular Uncommon Ground restaurant, live music venue, and brewery in Chicago's Wrigleyville community announced this week that they're looking for a successor to take over the business.
Chicago consistently ranks in the top three cities in Fortune 500 company headquarters, and now a competition has been launched to build on Chicago's power in business.
Blues icon and world music pioneer Taj Mahal will be headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this June.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Afrika Bambaataa, a rapper and producer, was best known for breakthrough tracks like 1982's "Planet Rock" and for founding the Universal Zulu Nation art collective.
Mozart's "Don Giovanni," the local premiere of the 2022 opera "Omar," and a fresh production of "Guys and Dolls" are among the highlights of the 2026-2027 season for Chicago's Lyric Opera.
Federal magistrate Renee Harris Toliver told Pooh Sheisty that the evidence against him is strong.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest First Alert Weather forecast.
The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have agreed to use May Day for a "day of civic action" for students and teachers.
A tornado watch has been expanded to the entire Chicago area as severe storms barrel east into the Chicago area. A tornado and funnel clouds were reported in Lena and Machesney Park, Illinois.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
A reported tornado in Lena Illinois, west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage. Police are warning people to stay away.
A reported tornado in Lena, Illinois, about 47 miles west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage, including possibly to schools that had students inside at the time.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released video Friday of the deadly shooting that killed Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera in 2025.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A specially designed playground in the West Pullman neighborhood is making a difference, addressing flooding and the impact of climate change across Chicago.
A tree planting initiative has kicked off in Chatham, among the Chicago neighborhoods most plagued by flooding, to help with the persistent problem.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
Some parents in southwest suburban Oswego are fired up, saying the school district invited all non-white students to participate in summer remedial programming, regardless of how they're doing in school.
New proposed Illinois legislation would allow renters or people who can't install massive rooftop panels to also harness the power of the sun.
Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ homered, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Mets their ninth straight loss, pounding New York 12-4.
The University of Notre Dame and Villanova will kick off both their men's and women's 2026-2027 basketball seasons with an international game in Rome.
Junior Caminero homered and the Tampa Rays scored twice on bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning, rallying for a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
The Blackhawks won four of their last 15 games and three of their last 11 home games, but finished with 72 points, 11 more than last season.
Nico Hoerner drove in a career-high five runs, Shota Imanaga struck out 11 in six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs routed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Wednesday night.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A well-known café and newsstand in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood was damaged early Thursday morning when a stolen car that police were pursuing crashed into it.
Gregory Morgan Jr. of Temple Hills, Maryland, was charged Thursday morning with two counts of second-degree assault in the Feb. 5 incident.
Members of the Cook County State's Attorney's office visited CTA train stations across Chicago on Thursday.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself what police described as a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.
