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

Congress kicks off government funding process for 2027

Congress kicks off government funding process for 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Six months out from fiscal year 2027, U.S. lawmakers are making progress on the annual 12 appropriations bills that will fund the federal government. The...
Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire's tax

Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire’s tax

By Randy DiamondThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- Seattle’s own version of Washington State's planned tax on millionaires is aimed at businesses with millionaire employees, but the goal of...
Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire's tax

Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire’s tax

By Randy DiamondThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- Seattle’s own version of Washington State's planned tax on millionaires is aimed at businesses with millionaire employees, but the goal of...
Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools leaders have agreed to transform the school day on...
Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools leaders have agreed to transform the school day on...
Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers...
Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers...
Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As closure of coal and natural gas powered energy plants loom, a group of GOP lawmakers have...
Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As closure of coal and natural gas powered energy plants loom, a group of GOP lawmakers have...
Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed

Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general says the city is owed at least $8.1 billion and lacks the tools to...
Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate has adopted the House’s 10-day extension of the expiring Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving Republican leadership less than...
Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate has adopted the House’s 10-day extension of the expiring Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving Republican leadership less than...

Illinois lawmakers seek to eliminate state diversity commission

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- An Illinois state commission has failed its mission to aid businesses owned by racial minorities, women and...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Ad-Hoc Committee: County Lowers Air Rifle Age to 13, Finds Airsoft Guns Beyond Local Regulatory Reach

Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced updates to its public peace ordinances, lowering the...
Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Republican efforts to impeach lead Democrats in Minnesota ran aground this week following a partisan deadlock in committee. The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee...