Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Rauner to break silence on Senate plan during budget address
Gov. Bruce Rauner — who has remained mum publicly about the Senate leaders’ “grand bargain” plan — will break his silence about which measures of the 12-bill package he supports in his budget address next week.
Earlier this week, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, along with several Democratic senators, had urged the governor to discuss what aspects of the plan he supports. The governor for weeks has said he’s “heartened” by the progress of the leaders, but wouldn’t comment on the plan’s specifics. The fear is that his input will blow up a delicate deal that’s already seen some failure.
Chicago Sun-Times: Civic Federation plan mirrors some of Senate ‘grand bargain’
The Civic Federation on Friday released a report recommending that the state raise its income tax rate to 5.25 percent as part of a five-year plan that mirrors some of the Illinois Senate’s proposed “grand bargain” bills.
Blaming the 19-month budget impasse on the state’s “worst rated credit in the United States and the most notoriously dysfunctional state government,” the civic watchdog group urged Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislators to “take action immediately” to fix Illinois’ finances.
Crain's Chicago Business: Civic Federation sides against Rauner in fiscal plan
Illinois needs a new budget immediately, without conditions about structural change elsewhere in state government.
That’s the bottom line of a report out today from the Civic Federation that calls for tax hikes, spending limits and maybe a constitutional amendment to limit pensions, but effectively would defer Gov. Bruce Rauner’s demand for union-weakening moves, term limits and other changes he wants as part of the deal.
Chicago Tribune: Illinois has the wrong legislature: Too many risk-averse pols
As a potential budget compromise moved through the Illinois Senate last week, a funny thing happened. Senators were forced to vote. Green button or red button. Choose.
That was the idea behind Senate President John Cullerton’s decision to put four bills up on the board, even though Republicans weren’t ready. Many of GOP leader Christine Radogno’s Republican members voted “present” as a form of protest against a controversial 12-bill package that, if passed, would go to the House.
Quincy Herald-Whig: Illinois Senate bill would offer options between Real IDs or noncompliant driver's licenses
Illinois residents would have the right to seek a Real ID Act-compliant driver’s license or a noncompliant license if legislation now in the state Senate becomes law.
“If you are someone who doesn’t use air travel or have a reason to visit a federal facility or military base, or prefer to use a U.S. passport, which itself is considered Real ID-compliant, the noncompliant card may be a viable option,” Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said.
Decatur Herald & Review: Lawmakers aim to boost Central Illinois agricultural economy
Legislation introduced in Springfield could boost efforts to attract bio-based businesses to Decatur and Central Illinois.
The legislation introduced by state Sens. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, and Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, would provide incentives to produce and sell new renewable products made from biomass and other renewable sources.
Associated Press: Illinois lawmakers pitch automatic voter registration again
State legislators are making another attempt at bringing automatic voter registration to Illinois.
Democrats filed bills in the state House and Senate on Friday that would automatically register state residents to vote when they visit certain state agencies, unless they decide to opt out. The agencies include the Secretary of State’s offices, where residents apply for driver’s licenses, and four others.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago Public Schools sets third set of budget hearings after another round of trims
The Chicago Board of Education will host its third set of budget hearings for the 2017 fiscal year on Monday after another revision of its annual spending plan.
Officials will outline $104 million in spending reductions through school spending freezes, furloughs and other cuts. The school board is expected to vote on those changes Feb. 22, according to Chicago Public Schools.
Chicago Sun-Times: Court won’t hear city’s appeal in red-light camera lawsuit
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration suffered yet another setback Friday in its attempt to avoid refunding $200 million in fines and late fees issued to Chicagoans denied due process after being slapped with 1.5 million red-light and speed camera tickets.
The Illinois Appellate Court refused to hear the city’s appeal of a lower court decision certifying the high-stakes lawsuit as a class action.
Chicago Sun-Times: Rauner’s Chicago violence plan — more state police
Sneed has learned Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to wade into the nightmare of Chicago’s street violence in his state budget address in Springfield on Wednesday by proposing a plan to send more state troopers to Chicago.
• Translation: Sneed is told the governor, who is involved in a contentious budget battle, will propose funding for two Illinois State Police classes for 200 cadets over the next two years — which would help deal with the violence spilling from the streets onto the expressways.
Chicago Sun-Times: Legislation to abolish state cash-bail system is introduced
A state representative from Chicago on Friday proposed a radical reform to Illinois’ criminal-justice system, introducing a bill that would do away with cash bail.
Working in concert with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, state Rep. Christian Mitchell has filed a bill that would allow people charged with nonviolent offenses to be released on their own recognizance until their court hearings. Judges would continue to have the discretion to order detention or electronic monitoring for people accused of harming others, Mitchell said.
Chicago Sun-Times: How much do minorities get from film tax credits?
Nine years ago, legislators agreed to give lucrative tax breaks for movies, TV shows and commercials made in Illinois.
And to help ensure whether minorities and women get a piece of the booming action that so far has led to tax breaks totaling more than $330 million, they said the state agency that handles those tax breaks “must” give them yearly reports on their hiring.