Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Majority Party Democrats had mixed reactions to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address Wednesday, with leadership in the General Assembly offering praise amid criticisms from members of the legislature’s Black and Latino caucuses. The governor’s budget speech – which outlined a $2 billion spending increase without new taxes on everyday Illinoisans…

Capitol News Illinois Editor’s note: This story was updated to accurately reflect a quote attributed to Sen. Karina Villa. SPRINGFIELD — An improved revenue forecast is helping ease pressure on state finances as Gov. JB Pritzker calls for tightened spending to balance the budget without tax increases on everyday Illinoisans. During his annual state of…

Capitol News Illinois Editor’s note: This is a breaking news story. Find fuller coverage of the budget proposal here. Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter…

Capitol News Illinois Editor’s note: This is a breaking news story. Find fuller coverage of the budget proposal here. Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter…

Capitol News Illinois Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction to Martin Torres’s job title. SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker plans to offer a proposal in his budget address Wednesday that would allow some community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees. The goal, according to the governor’s office, would be to…

Capitol News Illinois Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction to Martin Torres’s job title. SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker plans to offer a proposal in his budget address Wednesday that would allow some community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees. The goal, according to the governor’s office, would be to…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — With an increasing number of officials warning Illinois might struggle to meet its renewable energy goals, regulators and lawmakers met Tuesday to discuss how the state should regulate its energy industry. The state is facing a potential decrease in electricity generation at the same time demand is increasing, partially because…

Capitol News Illinois An Illinois Senate committee advanced a bill on Tuesday that would strictly limit police’s ability to search a vehicle after smelling cannabis. The Senate Criminal Law Committee voted 7-3 to advance Senate Bill 42, which would eliminate the requirement that cannabis be transported in vehicles in an odor-proof container. It would also…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A day ahead of Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual budget address Wednesday, Senate Republicans said they want budget negotiations to include cuts to noncitizen spending while bringing in “transparent accounting.” The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget predicts the state would face a $3.2 billion deficit in fiscal year 2026 if…