Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Future uncertain for Illinois' tax credit scholarship program for private school tuition
Whether Illinois legislators save the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program that is set to expire at the end of this year is still unknown.
Under a five-year trial period, the Invest in Kids Tax program has provided tuition money for working class and low-income families who want to send their children to Illinois private schools. The initiative is set to expire at the end of 2023, unless the state legislature acts to extend it. Lawmakers are in session through May 19.
Chicago Tribune: Mayor Brandon Johnson to new City Council: Congrats, now let’s collaborate
Brandon Johnson faced the aldermen arrayed behind him at Monday’s inauguration … and applauded them.
“To the members of the City Council, and especially the 13 newly elected alderpersons: Congratulations,” the newly minted mayor said during his inaugural address. “This is your day and you deserve recognition.”
Chicago Sun-Times: First, the fanfare; then, get to work
Monday was about celebration, symbolism and setting a tone.
Next up for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is rolling up his sleeves and getting to work on the city’s two most pressing problems: the immigrant crisis and unveiling a plan to address the typical surge of violent crime over Memorial Day weekend.
Daily Herald: Louie's Law passes state House, on way to Pritzker's desk
Legislation to create a comprehensive drug education curriculum for the state’s public schools is headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.
Louie’s Law, named after a suburban man who died from a heroin overdose in 2012, unanimously passed the state House on Friday, a victory for advocates who say education is key to reducing the toll substance abuse disorder has taken on young people in Illinois.
NBC Chicago: Brandon Johnson Signs Executive Orders on First Day in Office. Here's a Breakdown
In the initial hours after being sworn in as mayor of Chicago on Monday, Brandon Johnson signed his first batch of executive orders, with the majority of the measures establishing new leadership roles in city government.
The mayor’s office sent out a news release on Monday afternoon, in which Johnson said, “As your Mayor, it’s my duty to take bold, immediate action to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago.”
WQAD: State revenue drops nearly $2B in April, but budget-makers at the Capitol aren't panicking
April’s plummeting general funds receipts — a drop of $1.84 billion from the previous year — is stunning in anyone’s estimation. But budget-makers at the state Capitol aren’t panicking.
Compared with 2022, revenue fell a whopping 23% last month, driven by a drop of $1.76 billion in personal income tax, according to the legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.
Capitol News: Measure banning vaping indoors in public places clears General Assembly
A measure that would ban the use of electronic cigarettes inside of public buildings in Illinois needs only a signature from Gov. JB Pritzker to become law after it received final approval from lawmakers this week.
House Bill 1540 passed the Senate on a 42-11 vote this week after passing the House 85-22 in March, clearing both chambers with bipartisan support.
WAND: Springfield senators share priorities going into final scheduled week of session
It’s the final countdown as Illinois lawmakers have returned to the Capitol to wrap up work for their spring session. The House and Senate have hundreds of bills left on the docket and legislators on both sides of the aisle are preparing to see the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
State leaders have been glad to see an exciting period of revenue growth throughout the final of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, Gov. JB Pritzker and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle know the economy is slowing down a bit, which has led to a shakeup in budget negotiations.