Illinois’ fiscal collapse is the culmination of decades of budget gimmicks and taxes used to paper over the state’s structural spending problems and misplaced priorities that favor special interests over ordinary Illinoisans.

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.

In two separate deals with JPMorgan, CPS borrowed $387M to make a teacher pension payment at end of June and as a result of the deal, will accumulate at least $7M in interest.

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.

Four days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $200,000 for less than 80 minutes of work.

Three days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers $150,000 for less than an hour of work.

The measure would set a week aside to honor and appreciate the staff of MacNeal Hospital. The state continues without a budget.

Lawmakers passed a resolution to issue commemorative medallions while the state continues to go without a budget.

State lawmakers still haven’t passed a budget, but the Illinois House of Representatives passed a resolution June 22 declaring Southern Illinois the “Eclipse Crossroads of America.”