Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: State budget awaits Pritzker’s signature after clearing House without Republican support
In the wee hours of Saturday morning, the Illinois House approved a $50.4 billion state budget that Democrats called a financially responsible and “compassionate” spending plan — and Republicans blasted as “another partisan onesided budget.”
Just after 2:30 a.m., the Illinois House voted 73-38 to pass the budget, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted as his “fifth balanced budget,” vowing to sign it.
The Center Square: Audit of Pritzker’s BIG program gives GOP concerns over management of migrant health subsidies
A recent audit of a Pritzker administration COVID-era grant program for businesses is more evidence to Republicans who are skeptical of how the governor manages the state’s finances.
Democrats herald their management of the state’s finances. Gov. J.B. Pritzker regularly touts credit upgrades over the past several years, despite Illinois still having the nation’s worst credit rating tied with New Jersey.
Chicago Tribune: CPS’ ‘blatant violation of state law’ over physical restraint of students alleged by State Board of Education: ‘Unconscionable’
Chicago Public Schools has repeatedly violated state law over the use of physical restraints of students, “overwhelmingly failed” to train its staff properly and continued the practice despite multiple directives this school year from the Illinois State Board of Education to stop, the state agency alleged in a letter to CPS obtained by the Tribune.
“CPS’ complete disregard for the health and safety of its students and blatant violation of state law is unconscionable,” an ISBE official wrote to CPS CEO Pedro Martinez.
Capitol News: Legislature approves bill to tighten restrictions on red-light camera industry
Lawmakers in Springfield have unanimously approved a measure that would place new restrictions on the red-light and speed camera industry’s involvement in state and local elections and government.
House Bill 3903 would ban automatic traffic enforcement companies or their officers from donating to candidates for public office at the state and local level. It would also prevent state and local government officials from accepting jobs or contracts with those companies while in office or for two years after leaving office, a kind of “revolving door” ban.