Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Madigan offers his wish list in exchange for Rauner's property tax freeze
After years of railing against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner for making several “non-budget” items a prerequisite to a spending agreement, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan announced Sunday he’s come up with his own demands if there’s to be a deal.
The veteran speaker wants Rauner’s signature on legislation to overhaul how the state doles out money to schools, a bill the governor has vowed to veto saying it amounts to a bailout for Chicago Public Schools. Madigan also wants Rauner’s approval of a bill to regulate rates set by workers compensation insurance companies as well as increased oversight over the administration’s effort to overhaul the state’s Medicaid managed care program that provides health coverage for the poor.
Illinois Homepage: Legislative leaders meet for first time in 6 months
All four legislative leaders met for the first time since December.
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, Senator Christine Radogno and Senate President John Cullerton met in House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office for more than an hour Sunday. They say it was beneficial, however the path towards reaching a budget wasn’t the main topic.
NBC 5 Chicago: Madigan, Durkin Issue Statements on Budget Stalemate
As the state’s budget impasse continues unabated, the leaders of the Democratic and Republican caucuses in the State House issued statements on the situation Saturday night.
House Speaker Mike Madigan, who has been targeted by Governor Bruce Rauner as the cause of the gridlock in Springfield, postponed a vote on a worker’s compensation bill in the Labor Committee, but promised to continue working toward a bipartisan solution with Republican lawmakers.
News-Gazette: All eyes on inscrutable Madigan in state-budget battle
A month ago, Democratic Senate President John Cullerton said, “Failure is not an option.”
Last week, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said, “Failure is not an option.”
State Journal-Register: Illinois on the precipice of disaster of unknown proportions
After today, five days remain until the start of a new fiscal year for the state of Illinois. The dawning of a new year usually is met with enthusiasm and the potential of good things to come.
But this is Illinois, and July 1 could instead be the start of possibly the worst year in the history of the state. Given the two-year budget impasse, it’s hard to believe the state could sink even lower. Human service agencies have shut down. Universities have laid off hundreds of employees. College students haven’t gotten grants that make it possible for low-income kids to afford a higher education. Schools have maxed out lines of credit and depleted savings.
The Southern: As lawmakers spar over education funding reform, some local schools fear they lack cash to open in August
As lawmakers gather in Springfield to attempt to hammer out a budget deal, several school districts in Southern Illinois face the possibility that they will not open this fall if Illinois fails to approve education funding.
When State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, hosted a meeting Tuesday to discuss cash flow issues with 22 Southern Illinois superintendents from the 59th Senate District, he found that at least four school districts may not have enough working cash to open their doors in August.
WTTW Chicago Tonight: Outsider to Review Cook County Assessment Process
The president of the Cook County Board says the county assessor has agreed to an outside evaluation of the property tax assessment process.
Board President Toni Preckwinkle says she and embattled Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, a close political ally, have agreed to bring in a third party reviewer, although they don’t know yet who that will be.
Daily Herald: Why many minimum wage workers in suburbs won't be getting a raise July 1
Some minimum wage workers in Cook County will get a $1.75 hourly raise and paid sick days July 1, but it depends where they work.
A Daily Herald survey of 134 municipalities in suburban Cook County shows more than two-thirds — by vote of local village boards and councils — have opted out of two county ordinances that would raise the minimum wage and mandate businesses pay employees for at least five sick days. Some towns are scheduled to take votes this week, before the county ordinances take effect Saturday.
Belleville News-Democrat: State representative gets help deciding city council is too much
It turns out Wonder Woman LaToya Greenwood cannot do it all. Good move to resign from the East St. Louis City Council.
Nice to believe she came to the altruistic realization that she needed “to be able to focus on my duties as state representative.”