Illinois Capital News
Budget vote brings General Assembly’s 2023 spring session to a close
House gives final OK to $50.6 billion spending plan By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The 2023 spring legislative session came to an end in the early hours of Saturday morning, May 27, after the Illinois House gave its approval to a $50.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that…
Read MoreLawmakers approve measure giving utilities control over new downstate transmission lines
General Assembly also approved measure lifting ban on new nuclear construction By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — In the final hours of their spring session, lawmakers approved a controversial measure that would give existing power companies in downstate Illinois, notably Ameren Illinois, the first crack at installing new transmission lines. The measure…
Read MoreArmy Corps to implement ‘lessons learned’ from 2022 low water levels
By TIMOTHY EGGERT FarmWeek Top leaders with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the service is working to insulate the ag industry from negative impacts similar to those caused when dry conditions dramatically lowered Mississippi River water levels last fall. Despite dredging efforts and shortened barge tow lengths implemented at the time,…
Read MoreState board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’
Agency looks to open 5,000 new slots in under-served communities By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applicants for some of the new money contained in that bill. ISBE is…
Read MoreCannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session
Measure pushed to fall as lawmakers, advocates disagree about delta-8 regulation By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois nschoonover@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A proposed cannabis reform bill won’t get further consideration until at least the General Assembly’s fall veto session after stakeholders failed to come to an agreement during the spring session’s final stretch. Rep. La Shawn…
Read MoreFarmland buyers becoming more selective with higher interest rates
By DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek Farmland values could level off in the months ahead following an amazing run the past couple years. John Moss, co-founder and owner of the Bloomington-based Loranda Group, believes farmland buyers are becoming more selective as farm returns tighten amid rising interest rates. The Federal Reserve earlier this month approved the 10th…
Read MoreTop Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue
Senate president ‘hopes’ bill will be finalized in time to head to the Senate Wednesday night, May 31 By JERRY NOWICKI, HANNAH MEISEL & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders announced Wednesday, May 24, they’ve agreed to a framework for next year’s roughly $50 billion state spending…
Read MoreEnvironmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers
Advocates have mixed feelings on legislature’s environmental action this year By ANDREW ADAMS & NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com nschoonover@capitolnewsillinois.com Editor’s note: This story will be updated as the measures make their way through the legislature this week. SPRINGFIELD – Several pieces of environmental legislation are making their way through the Illinois General Assembly…
Read MoreState report: Catholic churches harbored hundreds more abusers than previously disclosed
Attorney general closes out 4.5-year investigation into abuse at hands of Catholic clerics in Illinois By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Catholic dioceses in Illinois failed to disclose hundreds of abusive clerics before the state opened what would become a years-long investigation into sex abuse within the church, Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
Read MoreAfter-school programs at risk of closure after state board says it miscalculated federal funding
Programs serve thousands of students in low-performing and high-poverty schools By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Thousands of elementary and high school students throughout Illinois could lose access to after-school and summer programs in the upcoming fiscal year but advocates are hoping that either the General Assembly or the federal government can…
Read More