Illinois Senators are poised to approve sending some two billion dollars to local governments, money that thus far has been caught in the political fight between Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and legislative Democrats. The funding will send 9-1-1 fees to the call centers, give municipalities their share of proceeds from video gaming, and allow localities to pay for road salt. President of the Illinois Municipal League Brad Cole says it's lucky that so far it's been a warm winter.
The Illinois House approved the measure last week on a bipartisan vote, and Rauner supports it, but the state has been without a comprehensive budget since July.