Illinois budget

Ill. Legislators Expected To Begin Unveiling Budget Proposals This Week

Illinois Public Radio — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:49:53 +0000

Despite years of cuts to the Illinois state budget, even more are ahead. Legislators are still deciding where else they can slash spending.

"Human services" is a legislative phrase that covers many departments and services, according to Representative Greg Harris.

"All the state departments dealing with health care, senior services, children services, so the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Medicaid, human services, mental health, substance abuse, Department of Aging, DCFS, public health and veterans," said Harris.

Quinn Proposes $400M Education Cut, Pension System Payouts In Budget Address

Illinois Public Radio — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 23:22:23 +0000

Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Amanda Vinicky.

In his annual budget address today, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn laid the blame on the General Assembly for forcing him to cut spending on schools and other key state priorities. Quinn says the cost of pensions is "squeezing" Illinois' finances, to the point that he's calling for a $400 million hit to education.

(Read the full text of the governor's prepared remarks)

Ill. Auditor: state budget deficit 'easily' worst in the nation

The Associated Press — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:13:49 +0000

The Illinois budget news just keeps getting worse.

The auditor general says the overall state budget deficit passed the $43 billion mark last year.

Five years earlier, the deficit was less than $19 billion.

Morning headlines - Monday, June 18 2012

The Associated Press, Tim Lloyd and Illinois Public Radio — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:23:43 +0000

Guards charged with assault for inmate fight

Two guards at the medium security jail in St. Louis City are facing burglary and assault charges for allegedly arranging to have one inmate at the workhouse beat up another.

Surprise move by House Speaker Madigan could clear way for pension overhaul

Illinois Public Radio — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:52:00 +0000

Amanda Vinicky contributed reporting from Springfield.

Illinois lawmakers will take a shot today at passing a massive overhaul of the state's pension system.

It's a move permitted by a surprise decision last night by House Speaker Michael Madigan, who handed control of the measure over to the top Republican in the House, Tom Cross.