Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Tribune: Rauner’s top priorities sidelined in final budget talks of his first term
As Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats enter the final weeks of lawmakers’ spring session, the governor has for now set aside the legislative wish list he touted as a top priority in the first three years of his term.
Gone are the dire warnings that a state budget plan that doesn’t include Rauner’s keystone “turnaround agenda” won’t “move the needle” enough to keep businesses in Illinois. The governor also hasn’t yet threatened to veto a spending plan that doesn’t include his priorities, and he recently referred to making a budget as “its own process.”
Decatur Herald & Review: Illinois banned smoking in businesses 10 years ago. Here's what owners and smokers have learned
Randy Janes remembers how his head felt when he was around smokers puffing away at the bowling alley.
“My sinus would get all stuffed up as a result of the smoke,” the Mount Zion man said. “Every time I’d go back to bowl, I would get sick.”
Northwest Herald: Algonquin Township trustees to take second vote on moving highway department
Algonquin Township trustees will take a second vote on whether to relocate Highway Commissioner Andrew Gasser to another building on township property.
The second vote will come Monday after the Edgar County Watchdogs, a downstate nonprofit, filed a complaint with the Illinois attorney general alleging Algonquin Township violated the Open Meetings Act.
Daily Herald: Proposed garbage contract offers mixed bag for Batavia residents
A proposed garbage-pickup contract could save some Batavia residents money, but cost others more.
City administrators are recommending the town drop a program where people can either pay $3.40 per 32-gallon can or rent large toters.
Associated Press: Southern Illinois port project needs $1M to move forward
A southern Illinois city needs to raise $1 million to continue progress on a port project.
The Cairo Port Authority would use the funds for permitting and design costs for the proposed river port on the Ohio River side of Cairo, The Southern Illinoisan reported .
Belleville News-Democrat: Since when does 'transportation enhancement' include 'economic development'?
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently handed out $35.7 million, including $3.4 million to local communities as part of its Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The wonks call it ITEP. It seems more of a MISSTEP.
The state is following federal guidelines, but some of the guidelines are just goofy. The whole thing seems like it suffers from mission creep, starting as a way to enhance transportation and arriving as a way to spend taxes on things that have little to do with getting from Point A to Point B.