Aug 01 Illinois governor’s veto could jeopardize school funding By Sara Burnett and Sophia Tareen, Associated Press Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner used his veto power Tuesday to strip millions of dollars for Chicago Public Schools from a school funding overhaul, a move that could mean no districts get state money before classes begin. Continue reading
Jul 16 Illinois has budget but no school funding plan By John O'Connor, Associated Press Illinois has its belated state budget, but the state Capitol's next flashpoint in the political struggle over finances is about how to fund public education with just weeks before the first day of school. Continue reading
Jul 09 Illinois has bills to pay after 2 years without budget plan By John O'Connor, Associated Press Illinois finally has a budget plan after two years. Now, to start paying bills. Continue reading
Jul 05 5 important stories that have nothing to do with Trump’s tweets By Erica R. Hendry, Kristen Doerer, Joshua Barajas, Iman Smith After another week and another series of Trump tweets that stole the media’s attention, these important stories may have gotten lost in your news feed. Continue reading
Jul 03 Illinois lawmakers return to Capitol after voting to raise taxes By John O'Connor, Associated Press Illinois' financial outlook received a boost from a credit-rating house Monday after a dramatic vote to raise the income tax rate by 32 percent. Continue reading
Jul 02 Illinois House leader: Revenue vote now set for weekend By John O'Connor, Associated Press The speaker of the Illinois House on Saturday scheduled a key vote on a multibillion-dollar revenue package that would finance an end to the longest state budget crisis since at least the Great Depression, ending a day that turned acrimonious… Continue reading
Jul 01 Illinois lawmakers return after missing key budget deadline By John O'Connor, Associated Press Illinois lawmakers are returning to work Saturday after missing a key deadline to prevent the state from starting an third consecutive fiscal year without a budget. Continue reading
Jun 30 Illinois facing dire consequences as budget feud continues By Sara Burnett, Associated Press Illinois is hours away from entering its third fiscal year without a state budget, territory that could mean some universities won't be able to offer federal financial aid, road construction and Powerball ticket sales will halt, and the state's credit… Continue reading
Jun 24 Illinois could be 1st state with ‘junk’ credit due to budget By Sara Burnett, Associated Press Illinois is on track to become the first U.S. state to have its credit rating downgraded to "junk" status, which would deepen its multibillion-dollar deficit and cost taxpayers more for years to come. Continue reading
May 16 Artistic skills and independence bloom for these adults with disabilities By Larisa Epatko The growARTS program grew from a volunteer operation to one run by full-time staff. For the adults in the program who couldn't express themselves verbally, art gave them another outlet for expression. Continue reading