The Illinois Lottery will cease awarding prizes over $25,000 if a budget is not signed by July 1.

On June 28 the Illinois House of Representatives failed to pass Senate Bill 484, an illusory property tax freeze that did not offer real reform, left Chicago homeowners out in the cold, and would have left in place an opaque and expensive property tax system that benefits special interests over taxpayers.

Like the “grand bargain,” the Brady plan and the Illinois Senate Democrats’ budget before it, the Illinois House Democrats’ plan relies on more than $5 billion in new tax revenues because it includes no significant structural spending reforms.

Affluent communities would receive millions in grants under a Republican spending plan.

Eight days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $400,000 for just over two hours of work.

Nearly 4 out of 5 Illinoisans support term limits for lawmakers.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has compromised over and over to strike a deal, to the point of abandoning every reform he once demanded. But no matter how much Rauner gave, House Speaker Mike Madigan never budged.

History shows Illinois politicians favor tax hikes over spending reform, and the Tollway and 2011 income tax battle offer examples of the dangers taxpayers face when politicians toy with a temporary tax hike.

Seven days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $350,000 for less than 2 hours of work.

Six days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $300,000 for less than 100 minutes of work.