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Champaign News-Gazette: What does future hold?
There’s a new political tone in Springfield, but the state is still limping along.
After the big party is over, it’s back to reality and, sometimes, a hangover to boot.
The Illinois General Assembly just wrapped up its latest version of a party, a bill-passing frenzy in which new and higher taxes were levied and money was appropriated by the billions.
Chicago Tribune: How much money are Illinois colleges getting in the new budget? ‘It’s definitely good news for colleges and universities.’
Illinois’ public universities and community colleges are getting an increase in state funding not seen in nearly three decades.
The state budget Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed June 5 raises higher education general funding by $154 million or 8.2 percent, the largest year-over-year percentage jump since 1990, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
WBEZ: Top Illinois Republican Won’t Disclose Video Gambling Profits
One of Illinois’ top Republicans declined on Tuesday to say how much money he has made off his business relationship with a video gambling company that’s licensed by the state.
Illinois Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington said his ties to Midwest Electronic Gaming — one of the biggest operators in the state-regulated video gambling business — had led him to abstain from voting when other senators approved a massive gambling expansion on June 2 in Springfield.
The Southern: Illinois Medicaid managed care reform package breeds optimism
Illinois lawmakers took several steps this legislative session to increase efficiencies in the state’s Medicaid managed care system, which has been widely panned by high-volume Medicaid providers since its inception in 2011.
The negotiations included insurers, health care providers, government regulators and lawmakers; and all sides expressed optimism about a bill that was approved unanimously in both chambers and awaits action from Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Daily Herald: If appointed to open legislative seat, Rosemont mayor says he would keep both positions
Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens has put his name up for consideration for the legislative seat vacated by Michael McAuliffe and says even if he were chosen, he would remain mayor.
The clock is ticking for Republican committeemen in the next 30 days to appoint a replacement for McAuliffe, who announced Monday he was stepping down after 23 years to spend more time with family. McAuliffe, who was the lone Chicago GOP state representative, is a key political ally of Stephens, who heads the Leyden Township Regular Republican Organization.
Crain's Chicago Business: Lightfoot meets with Jamie Dimon, Fitch Ratings
In separate sessions as part of a three-day swing to New York City, the new mayor had what her office described as “a meet and greet” with Fitch Ratings and then sat down to talk with Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase.
WBEZ: Chicago’s Latest Megadevelopment? Lawmakers Boost One Central
This is apparently the Year of the Megadevelopment in Chicago. The latest proposed project is dubbed “One Central.” It started percolating just after Chicago approved Lincoln Yards and The 78 — projects so big they’re like cities within a city.
One Central would be the biggest of them all, at least in terms of investment, which is pegged at $20 billion (that’s three times the price tag of Lincoln Yards). The new neighborhood would be built south of the Loop on what would normally be prime real estate — 34 acres of open space encircled by Roosevelt Road, the South Loop neighborhood, McCormick Place, Lake Shore Drive and Soldier Field.
Chicago Tribune: Ex-Ald. Proco ‘Joe’ Moreno pleads not guilty to insurance fraud
Former Chicago Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno formally pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he loaned his car to a girlfriend and then claimed it was stolen.
Moreno, who lost re-election in February after the allegations had become public, was indicted earlier this month on the same charges first filed against him last month: one count each of insurance fraud, disorderly conduct, obstructing justice and filing a false report of a stolen vehicle.
Northwest Herald: McHenry Township Board votes to eliminate senior bus program
The McHenry Township Board voted Tuesday to eliminate its senior bus program, much to the outrage of a packed board room.
The special board meeting was held to consider canceling the program, which provides door-to-door transportation services for McHenry Township’s senior and disabled residents. A protest was held before the meeting and more than two dozen people spoke in favor of the plan before board discussion.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Heartland OKs tentative budget with $575,000 deficit
The Heartland Community College board approved a tentative fiscal 2020 operating budget of $32 million on Tuesday with a deficit of about $575,000.
That marks the second year in a row that the board approved a budget with a deficit.
State Journal-Register: Springfield can support sports complex, market analysis says
Springfield has the potential to be a sports tourism destination, a market analysis has revealed.
The analysis, conducted by The Sports Facilities Advisory and presented Tuesday to the city council, offered a road map for those thinking about building a sports facility in the capital city.
Belleville News-Democrat: Veteran East St. Louis police officer accused of taking thousands in fake overtime pay
A veteran East St. Louis police officer was indicted Tuesday for allegedly taking thousands of dollars in fake overtime pay.
Mario Fennoy, 48, of Lebanon, was indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of obtaining overtime compensation from the East St. Louis Police Department for nearly a year.