Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Senate could consider overriding Rauner's education funding veto Sunday
The Illinois Senate is set to return to the Capitol on Sunday for a potential showdown over education funding amid questions whether Democrats can or will attempt to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a measure to overhaul how the state distributes money to schools.
Lawmakers are reconvening just days after Illinois hit a dubious milestone. For the first time, schools went without the state aid payments usually sent at the start of the academic year. Schools are expected to open on time anyway, but the pressure is on lawmakers to act before districts have to slash programs, cut hours or shut down.
State Journal-Register: Gov. Bruce Rauner: Amended bill allows for fair, equitable school funding
Public education is society’s most important responsibility. Education affords every child the opportunity for the American Dream, regardless of background or family circumstances. With a great education, you can be whomever you want to be, get a good job and provide for your family.
This is why, as governor, I am fighting to overhaul the way our state funds public schools.
Belleville News-Democrat: State lawmakers saunter into Springfield as school bell is ringing
Need more evidence that the politicians in Springfield are playing their reindeer games with the educations of our children?
The first state aid payment to our local schools was due Thursday. It didn’t happen. But — surprise! — Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza found other money that was owed our schools since March.
Chicago Tribune: CPS proposes $5.7 billion budget, including $269 million in help from city
Chicago Public Schools on Friday unveiled a $5.7 billion operating budget “framework” for the coming school year that relies on well over a quarter-billion dollars in help from the city and a still-larger infusion of cash from state lawmakers who remain tangled in a political dogfight.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s $269 million commitment to the financially ailing district comes as the city confronts its own money troubles. But city officials repeatedly declined to say where the money would come from.
Chicago Sun-Times: Claypool cuts back on CPS consultants — but not 3 he has ties to
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool says he has cut spending on outside consultants by $18 million a year — but at the same time CPS has sharply boosted payments to three consulting firms with close ties to Claypool, records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel elevated Claypool in July 2015 from mayoral chief of staff to the chief executive of the nation’s cash-strapped third-largest school system.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois names 6 insurers to take part in overhauled Medicaid managed care
More than half a million Illinois residents on Medicaid are about to see major changes in their coverage as the state slashes in half the number of insurers in its Medicaid managed care program.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced Friday that it has selected six insurers to be part of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s planned overhaul of the program, down from the 12 now participating. In Medicaid managed care, private insurers administer Medicaid benefits, whereas the state administers benefits in traditional Medicaid.
Daily Herald: District 59 bond opponents submit petitions to halt borrowing money
A group opposed to Elk Grove Township District 59’s plan to borrow up to $20 million says it has enough petition signatures to halt issuing the taxpayer-funded bonds.
Organizers submitted 4,309 signatures — nearly 1,000 more than the required 10 percent of voters — to the school district Friday, the deadline for starting the backdoor referendum. If successful, it would put the bond issue to a vote in the March 2018 election. However, the group must survive expected petition challenges before the Cook County clerk’s office puts the measure on the ballot.
Daily Herald: Naperville could loosen taxi regulations
Naperville has spent the past nine months determining whether to loosen its regulations on taxis — a discussion that has spanned themes of safety, fairness in the business environment and public understanding of city rules.
The conversation could come to an end Tuesday, as the city council is expected to vote on less-stringent regulations for taxi companies and drivers.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Fritzen: City manager search to be lengthy, private
Normal residents shouldn’t expect a quick resolution or by-the-minute updates on their next city manager.
“What we learned today was, ‘We’re going to use every bit of the time that’s available to us,’” said council member Jeff Fritzen after a private meeting Friday to discuss the job. “It’s going to be a quiet period for several months.”
Bloomington Pantagraph: Renner: 'We are not Mayberry anymore;' wants aide
Ahead of a City Council discussion on Monday, one Bloomington alderman has voiced support for Mayor Tari Renner’s request for a full-time aide, while another alderman says she doesn’t see the need.
Other aldermen said they were looking forward to learning more about the proposal and the rest of the council remained silent on Friday.
Belleville News-Democrat: Taxpayers are out at least $12,000 because of an unmailed building permit
All it would have taken was for someone in village government to stuff a building permit into an envelope addressed to the county assessor, apply a 49-cent stamp and drop it in the mail.
If that had happened back in 2013 when the renovation of a beauty salon on Main Street was complete, thousands of dollars would likely have been collected and added to Dupo’s property tax income.