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Top Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue

Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders announced Wednesday they’ve agreed to a framework for next year’s roughly $50 billion state spending plan, even as negotiations continued in the...
State report: Catholic churches harbored hundreds more abusers than previously disclosed

Catholic dioceses in Illinois failed to disclose hundreds of abusive clerics before the state opened what would become a yearslong investigation into sex abuse within the church, Attorney General...
As leaders extend session with budget unfinished, several sweeping last-minute bills surface

The May 19 end to the General Assembly’s spring session had been on the calendar for months, but it’s no deadline; lawmakers still have until the end of May before a constitutional trigger...
Native American history, ride-share regulation measures clear General Assembly

Even though it became clear this week that the General Assembly’s spring legislative session would go longer than scheduled as lawmakers finalize a budget, several measures cleared the...

Dems move to allow punitive damage awards in wrongful death lawsuits

Democrats in the General Assembly this week pushed through a measure that would allow state courts to award punitive damages in wrongful death lawsuits – a departure from the status quo for more...
Bill to limit gun industry marketing will head to governor

The Illinois Senate gave final passage Thursday to a bill that places limits on how gun manufacturers and retailers can market their products, subjecting them to civil lawsuits under the state’s...
UPDATED: Optional all-gender bathrooms bill will head to governor

The Illinois Senate on Thursday passed an amended version of a bill that would allow businesses and public institutions to provide multi-occupant all-gender bathrooms if they choose to do so.
UPDATED: Environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam...

Several pieces of environmental legislation are making their way through the Illinois General Assembly on what was scheduled to be the final week of the spring legislative session.
As budget negotiations continue, Pritzker announces launch of stalled tax incentive program

As budget negotiations for the coming fiscal year continued behind closed doors Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced it would launch a long-stalled tax incentive program that was part...
U.S. Supreme Court leaves assault weapons ban in place, for now

Illinois’ ban on assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines will remain in force, at least for the time being.

What We're Working On Today

Friday, May 26

STORY: RED LIGHT CAMERAS - ETHICS
Lawmakers in Springfield have unanimously approved a measure that would place new restrictions on the red light and speed camera industry’s involvement in state and local elections and government.
Reporter: Andrew Adams
Word count: 900-1,000 words
Photo: stock/file
ETA: SENT

STORY: BUDGET - END OFSESSION
The House comes into session this evening to wrap up the last of its business for the spring legislative session. To meet constitutional requirements, they will gavel out later tonight, then reconvene shortly after midnight for the final debate and vote on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
Reporter: Peter Hancock
Word count: 800-1,000 words
Photos: Yes
ETA: 2 a.m.

Listen to the latest Capitol Cast

Capitol News Illinois · Disaster Declaration Ends

The disaster declaration brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic officially ends Thursday, May 11. Gov. JB Pritzker reflects on what that means and how Illinois got through the last three years.

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