Capitol News Illinois Article Summary President Trump’s domestic policy bill contains massive cuts in federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. One analysis predicts $48 billion in spending reductions in Illinois over a decade. The cuts limit states’ ability to raise money through provider taxes to fund their share of Medicaid costs. The cuts…

Capitol News Illinois Article summary The domestic policy law signed by President Donald Trump last week creates new work requirements that could jeopardize food assistance benefits for 360,000 Illinoisans. Illinois will be required to cover a greater portion of the administrative costs and benefits of SNAP, which could cost several hundred million dollars. The Congressional…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary JB Pritzker’s new running mate Christian Mitchell has held several roles in state government, including lawmaker and deputy governor. Pritzker said he trusts Mitchell is ready to take over as governor if required and Mitchell said he shares Pritzker’s vision for Illinois. Mitchell spearheaded some of Pritzker’s top legislative accomplishments…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary Illinois’ fiscal year 2026 budget reduced funding for programs serving homeless people by more than $14 million from the previous year. JB Pritzker’s “Home Illinois” initiative aimed at reaching “functional zero” homelessness saw a $26.6 million cut. That program was launched in 2022 and had previously been on a steady…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary The U.S. House gave final passage Thursday to a bill that will cut federal Medicaid spending in Illinois by an estimated 20%, or $48 billion, over 10 years. Medicaid pays for about 40% of all childbirths in Illinois as well as 69% of all nursing home care, according to an…

Capitol News Illinois Reporting Highlights: Illinois closed fiscal year 2025 with record $54 billion in revenue. While that marked a surplus from the enacted budget, the extra revenue was anticipated when lawmakers approved the current-year budget in May. It doesn’t give lawmakers any extra breathing room for an expected volatile fiscal year 2026. These highlights…

Capitol News Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a pair of health care-related bills Tuesday that he said would put more controls on the pricing of pharmaceutical drugs sold through insurance plans while expanding insurance coverage for certain kinds of hospital costs. “For too long our health care system has been infected by profit-seeking middlemen and…

Capitol News Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell will be his running mate for the 2026 campaign. Pritzker’s selection, made just days after announcing a third campaign for governor, comes from a close circle of trust in Pritzker’s administration. Mitchell previously served in the governor’s office as one of…

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO — Illinois students won’t need to fill out applications for most state universities to be admitted — if they have high enough grades. With his signature, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday approved a bill creating the direct admissions program. Along with it, he approved bills that implement new state standards for…