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

Fugitives arrested in New England sanctuary jurisdictions wanted on homicide charges

Fugitives arrested in New England sanctuary jurisdictions wanted on homicide charges

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Fve fugitives have been arrested in New England sanctuary jurisdictions within the past few weeks who are wanted for murder or homicide in their home...
Will County Finance Logo

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for April 7, 2026

Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 The Will County Board Finance Committee met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to review and finalize the county's 2025...
ICE director stepping down

ICE director stepping down

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Department of Homeland Security will see another leadership change as Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will step down May 31....
ICE director stepping down

ICE director stepping down

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Department of Homeland Security will see another leadership change as Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will step down May 31....
Will County Board Graphic.03

Ad-Hoc Committee: County’s Lack of Home Rule Stifles Effort to Ban Kratom and Non-Nicotine Vapes

Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee approved updates to its tobacco and alternative nicotine...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Health & Safety Committee for April 2, 2026

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 The Will County Board Public Health and Safety Committee met on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to review comprehensive...
Ex-Dem Rep. Stoneback can’t sue gun control group, current Rep. Olickal over NRA smears

Ex-Dem Rep. Stoneback can’t sue gun control group, current Rep. Olickal over NRA smears

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square An Illinois gun control activist group and a current Illinois Democratic state lawmaker appear poised to ultimately prevail over a former Democratic...
Ex-Dem Rep. Stoneback can’t sue gun control group, current Rep. Olickal over NRA smears

Ex-Dem Rep. Stoneback can’t sue gun control group, current Rep. Olickal over NRA smears

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square An Illinois gun control activist group and a current Illinois Democratic state lawmaker appear poised to ultimately prevail over a former Democratic...
Democrats grill Kennedy, Wright, Rollins on 2027 budget requests

Democrats grill Kennedy, Wright, Rollins on 2027 budget requests

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democratic lawmakers grilled major Trump administration officials in a series of congressional hearings Thursday, questioning the millions in federal program cuts proposed by the president’s...
Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state...
Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state...
Consumer advocate: Following Kansas’ lead to prevent ‘lawfare’ is ‘imperative’

Consumer advocate: Following Kansas’ lead to prevent ‘lawfare’ is ‘imperative’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square After Kansas passed legislation to prevent “lawfare” – or the making of policies apart from the legal process – a consumer protection organization said other...
Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he hopes the federal government does what’s best for consumers and businesses as...
Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he hopes the federal government does what’s best for consumers and businesses as...
New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Federal funds totaling $73 million will be withheld from New York by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday....