Get the latest news headlines from around Illinois.
Greg Hinz: Five things to watch after the great Illinois budget deal
Now that Illinois finally has half a budget for half a year—Hallelujiah! Praise the Lord!—it’s not unreasonable to ask when we’re going to get the rest, that being spending for the second half a year and a tax package to pay for it all instead of continuing to put it on the plastic.
Here’s a few things to watch on that and related matters.
The verbiage already was pretty nasty before yesterday’s mini-rapprochement. This being Illinois, I expect the boys and girls to pull their usual stunts to try to win in November.
Daily Southtown: Illinoisans revolt against nation's highest property taxes
Bob’s Countryside Barber Shoppe is a pillar of the Wonder Lake, Ill., community.
Since 1962, Bob Anderson has cut hair and conversed with customers young and old at his modest storefront on Barnard Mill Road.
But those conversations have taken a turn for the worse.
RRStar: Confusion for nonprofits in wake of Illinois stopgap budget agreement
There was more confusion than rejoicing among social service providers today as legislators approved a stopgap budget that provides some funding for agencies for the rest of the year.
Mary Ellen Commare, executive director of Youth Services Network, which provides counseling and programs for at-risk teens, runaways, homeless youths and delinquent boys, said she doesn’t know what will happen even with the stopgap budget in place.
“We’re just kind of anxiously awaiting what happens,” Commare said. “It’s not consistent in what we’re hearing.”
Crain's: The good news and the bad news on that stopgap state budget
After operating for a year without a budget, Illinois finally has a spending plan that covers some of the state’s most urgent needs—mainly opening schools in the fall and throwing a lifeline to social service agencies—for at least six months.
The deal hammered out at the 11th hour between Gov. Bruce Rauner, his Democratic nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and the sometimes guy-in-the-middle, Senate President John Cullerton, will include substantial new funding for Chicago Public Schools, to the tune of $400 million, a necessary step to support the state’s largest and most important school district. CPS will also get the authority to impose a $250 million property-tax hike to cover the cost of teacher pensions. No one is thrilled with the prospect of higher taxes, but paying for the costs we have incurred beats continuing to act as if those debts don’t exist.
More good news: Rauner set aside his union-weakening “Turnaround Agenda” demands for the time being to get a deal done. For that, he should be commended.
Chicago Tribune: Fireworks can lead to tickets, felony charges
While it is legal to buy fireworks in Wisconsin and Indiana, it is illegal to possess them in Illinois.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Christopher Covelli said deputies enforce the law when they respond to calls of fireworks injuries, and people can face county ordinance violations or criminal charges, which can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the fireworks used or the explosive amount the fireworks contains.
Those charged with a county ordinance violation receive a ticket, while those charged with a misdemeanor or felony are taken to the Lake County Jail.