Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Special session called by Rauner starts today
State lawmakers return to the Capitol on Wednesday for a special session Gov. Bruce Rauner called on education funding.
When they left Springfield on July 6 after passing a major income tax increase and budget over the Republican governor’s objections, lawmakers knew there was a good chance they’d have to return. Democrats inserted a provision in the budget package that means there’s no authorization for the state to send money to school districts unless a bill rewriting how those funds are doled out becomes law.
NBC 5 Chicago: 2 House Democrats to Boycott Special Session as School Funding Battle Heats Up
At least two state representatives plan to boycott the special session Gov. Bruce Rauner called on school funding this week.
State Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Ann Williams will not be among the lawmakers heading back to Springfield Wednesday, the Chicago Democrats announced in a release, saying they “reject” the “political stunt.”
WirePoints: The Education Funding Bill is a Monstrosity of Unknown Proportions
Pity Governor Rauner’s new staffers who will have to advise Rauner on what to do with the new school funding bill that’s been dumped on them.
I’ve spent the better part of the last five days trying to get a handle on the bill, or even finding credible, secondary sources on what the bill would do. For the most part, that’s impossible.
Chicago Tribune: So when will the Illinois lottery fund education?
Now that Gov. Bruce Rauner has called the tax-and-spend-happy Illinois legislature into emergency session on Wednesday in the hopes of opening schools on time, I’m going to have to do something drastic.
I’m going to have to put one of my fantasies on hold until I see whether beleaguered suburban taxpayers get squeezed to death in this deal.
Daily Herald: School districts pay high graduation costs for comfort, room for all
Suburban school districts using outside venues for high school graduations say the costs — which vary dramatically among districts — are worth the comfort and ease they provide families.
School districts paid from $3,500 to $78,000 for ceremonies held at various suburban venues this year, Daily Herald research shows. From churches to large event centers, the costs are based upon hours booked, labor and other equipment usage, and the number of ceremonies and graduates.
Daily Herald: Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 could run $100 million deficit over next five years
Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 is projected to run a $100 million deficit over the next five years, prompting the district to ask taxpayers to fund millions in bonds as a temporary fix to help pay for construction projects and stabilize the budget.
The district, which has schools in Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect, has nearly $120 million in reserves. That’s among the highest in the suburbs and enough to cover an entire year of expenses.
Chicago Tribune: Can millennials afford a future in Illinois?
Should I stay in Illinois?
I’m only 24 years old, and it’s a question I cannot escape. It comes up when I’m out with friends and during family get-togethers. It weighs on my mind in quiet moments just before sleep. It nags at me when I’m making my grocery budget for the month or setting aside money in my savings account.
Chicago Tribune: DCFS vows change in wake of Joliet-area toddler's death
Department of Children and Family Services officials on Tuesday pledged to make changes and address agency shortcomings in the wake of the death of Semaj Crosby, the Joliet-area toddler whose body was found in her home hours after a caseworker visit.
DCFS officials fielded questions from state lawmakers during a joint House and Senate committee meeting in Chicago about the agency’s handling of the girl’s case.
Daily Herald: Official: Fewer traffic tickets contribute to Kane County budget deficit
With an income shortfall in the circuit court clerk’s office being the largest driver of Kane County’s looming $6 million deficit for 2018, Tom Hartwell implicated a major drop in local traffic tickets causing the vanishing cash.
Numbers show a $3.75 million drop in the county’s revenues coming in 2018. Nearly half that drop traces back to financial forecasts for Hartwell’s office.
Rockford Register-Star: Illinois Attorney General to represent chief judge in suit against Winnebago County Board
Judge Joe McGraw will be represented by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in his continuing dispute with the County Board.
McGraw, the 17th Judicial Circuit Court’s chief judge, has filed suit against Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney, county Treasurer Sue Goral and the County Board. A hearing today revealed his legal representation.
Peoria Journal-Star: Peoria city manager cites $7.9 million shortfall, calls for cuts
Another financial crisis may be looming for the city of Peoria. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, City Manager Patrick Urich said an email was sent to city employees that day indicating the city was facing a $7.9 million shortfall in its budget so far this year.
“We’re asking department heads to come up with two different reductions, one of 5 percent and one of 10 percent,” said Urich, noting that he and Finance Director Jim Scroggins will take up the matter in detail at the next council meeting Aug. 8.
Belleville News-Democrat: Councilwoman settles for $200,000 after she sued her own city
City Councilwoman Cheryl Brombolich settled her federal lawsuit against the city for $200,000, according to documents released Tuesday.
The city released the documents in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the Belleville News-Democrat.
The Southern: Another crisis brewing in Cairo — this one at City Hall, say councilman, utility executives
Cairo Councilman Danny Brown said he’s concerned that there’s another brewing crisis in Cairo that isn’t getting enough attention — this one at City Hall.
At every council meeting for several months running, Brown, the city’s police commissioner, said council members are told, “We almost didn’t make payroll this month. We might not make it next month.”