Get the latest news from around Illinois.
State Journal-Register: Madigan says tax increase will get a vote Sunday
Hours after saying there would be no votes on the budget this weekend, House Speaker Michael Madigan reversed course and said the House will vote Sunday on the more than $5 billion in tax increases needed to balance a new state budget.
The vote apparently will take place even though negotiators have not reached agreement on several non-budget issues that Gov. Bruce Rauner said must be passed before he will consider tax hikes.
Chicago Tribune: Madigan sends Rauner message on tax hike vote as talks break down at Capitol
Talks between Republican and Democratic lawmakers aimed at striking a broad agreement to end the state’s record budget impasse broke down Saturday, with Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan abruptly announcing plans to call a vote on legislation to raise taxes.
The move set up a Sunday showdown between Democrats who control the General Assembly and Republicans allied with Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Chicago Sun-Times: Madigan’s about-face latest development as budget logjam hits 3rd year
In an about-face, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on Saturday said he’d call a vote Sunday for a “revenue package” that includes an income-tax increase — despite the Democratic speaker earlier announcing budget bills wouldn’t be moved this weekend.
The development marked the latest dysfunction in the budget stalemate that has entered its third year and has put state government on the brink of exorbitant borrowing costs and other financial calamities. Despite the major credit agencies threatening to drop the state to “junk” status, lawmakers began a new fiscal year on Saturday with no budget in place.
Chicago Sun-Times: Some Illinois residents unhappy they can’t buy Powerball tickets
When James Gardner has time and a little extra money, he likes to test his luck and play the lottery. He sometimes daydreams about a more comfortable life with $10 million in the bank.
Those dreams are on hold for now thanks to the lack of a state budget.
NBC 5 Chicago: Illinois Lawmakers Override Rauner Veto of 911 Fees
Illinois lawmakers voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation to continue funding 911 emergency call centers.
The House voted 90-22 Saturday, while the Senate voted 43-1 to reverse the Republican governor and his objections to fee increases.
NBC 5 Chicago: Minimum Wage Rises in Cook County, Chicago Saturday
For workers in Chicago and Cook County, Saturday was a noteworthy day as the minimum wage increased at both the city and county levels.
In Cook County, the minimum wage increased to $10-per-hour, in accordance with an ordinance passed last October. For tipped workers, the base wage will be $4.95-per-hour, according to the county.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Opioid crisis focus of meeting with stakeholders
The challenges of combating opioid overdoses responsible for 12 deaths in McLean County last year will be the focus of an upcoming meeting organized by the McLean County Health Department.
The session that will include the McLean County coroner, area police chiefs, and medical and mental health providers is expected to take place within the next month, Cathy Coverston Anderson, acting director of the health department said Friday during a meeting of the McLean County Mental Health Advisory Board.
Decatur Herald & Review: $1.7 million spent on empty Decatur homes
Decatur’s public housing agency is now accepting applications for eight new modular homes that have sat empty for five months while officials worked out final sale prices, an unexpected outcome for a project designed to help low- and moderate-income people secure permanent residences.
Construction of the houses, in the 1000 block of West Macon Street on the near Westside, was announced in 2013 relying in part on money from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. The project originally was set to open in October and called for homes to be sold based on a buyer’s income, a common practice for affordable housing units.