Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly leaders promise budget transparency

Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly leaders promise budget transparency

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, say more than 90 pieces of budget legislation will be consolidated and introduced as House Bill 131 and Senate Bill 2512.

Welch and Harmon issued a joint statement saying the compiled language would ensure that all interested parties have time to review and offer thoughtful feedback.

In previous years, Welch and Harmon have sponsored shell bills that were stuffed with line items and passed during the final hours of session.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXAMS POSTPONED DUE TO CYBER ATTACK

The University of Illinois has postponed all final exams and assignments through Sunday due to a global cyber attack on the school’s Canvas learning management system.

A university statement said the vendor that operates Canvas, Instructure, disclosed the incident May 1 and it remains under investigation.

IL FEDERATION OF TEACHERS MEGAPROJECTS CALCULATOR

The Illinois Federation of Teachers has released a “Mega Project, Mega Loss” calculator it says quantifies how much towns and schools stand to lose under megaprojects legislation in the General Assembly.

The teachers union said the current bill signifies the largest transfer of responsibility for revenue to fund schools and services from private developers to individual property owners in the state’s history.

AAA FUEL PRICES

Illinois fuel prices dipped slightly on Friday, according to AAA.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.99, down less than a penny from the day before. The average price for diesel is $5.98.

The national averages are $4.55 for unleaded and $5.67 for diesel.

POPE 1 YEAR

On the one-year anniversary of Illinois native Pope Leo XIV’s election as pope, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich offered thanked for the pontiff’s leadership and his call to unity and peace.

In a social media post, Cupich asked all to join him in praying for the Holy Father.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom

Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In light of the Saturday shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, congressional Republicans are calling for an end to the Department of Homeland...
White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident

White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House on Monday called on Congress to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents'...
Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount

Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal agencies made an estimated $186 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2025, a $24 billion increase from the prior year, according to a...
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is 'one step' in the process

Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square *The Center Square) – The federal government has moved to partially block an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on the tax and tip portions...
Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation

Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new report analyzing congressional voting records shows a clear ideological divide between Minnesota’s Republican and Democratic delegations. In its idealogical rankings, the Institute for...
White House correspondents' dinner shooter faces formal charges

White House correspondents’ dinner shooter faces formal charges

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The California man accused of charging security and shooting a Secret Service officer at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night will appear Monday...
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole

Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State transportation officials say repairs are underway after a large hole developed on an Interstate 64...
Supreme Court strikes down Texas redistricting lawsuit, upholds new maps

Supreme Court strikes down Texas redistricting lawsuit, upholds new maps

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down a challenge to Texas' new congressional maps. The court reversed Abbott v. LULAC, a case that sought...
Supreme Court to hear migrant farm worker case

Supreme Court to hear migrant farm worker case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case over the constitutional authority of federal agencies to handle migrant farmworker disputes. The case, Department of Labor...
Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Convicted felony suspected of shooting two officers One Chicago police officer is dead and another was critically injured after a man...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 8.34.35 AM

Lincoln-Way D210 Approves $483,000 Agreement with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Adds Seventh Athletic Trainer

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a new three-year, $483,000 contract with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute...
Peotone fire district graphic logo.1

Manhattan Fire Board Reviews Financials, Navigates ‘No Tax on Overtime’ Law

Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District reviewed its early 2026 financial status while command staff outlined upcoming administrative hurdles, including compliance...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Baseball

Pitching Duo Dominates as Lincoln-Way West Baseball Edges Oak Forest 4-2

Relying on a stifling pitching performance and timely late-game execution, the Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team secured a gritty 4-2 non-conference road victory over Oak Forest on Saturday afternoon. After...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Will County Passes Comprehensive Adult Entertainment Ordinance

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-133, enacting Chapter 119 of the Business Regulations to establish rigorous licensing, operational, and...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 9.20.57 AM

Manhattan Village Board Unanimously Adopts $32.7 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2027

Village of Manhattan Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board gave final approval to a $32.7 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year, featuring substantial investments in...