Illinois Budget

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has traveled the state this week to tout the budget’s funding of his Smart Start initiative, a focal point of his 2024 budget aimed at improving access to preschool, increasing funding for child care providers and investing in early childhood facilities.

State Sen. Tom Bennett voted against the recently-approved $50.6 billion budget, but pointed to some areas he sees as positive.

Democratic state Sen. Dave Koehler says he was pleased to see more higher education funding in this year's budget.

It took more than a week longer than expected, but Illinois lawmakers wrapped up their spring legislative session early Saturday with a budget and hundreds of measures that passed. The spending plan and bills now go to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

A day after Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers announced a budget agreement, a revised version of the state spending plan moved a bit further along, passing the Illinois Senate late Thursday.

The new 91st Illinois House district is an open seat without an incumbent. That makes it attractive to candidates — and there will be primaries this summer in both major parties.

Election years traditionally mean lawmakers in Springfield do less than usual to avoid giving an opponent something to target in November. But the change from a winter to a June primary may change that dynamic in one way.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has released his proposal for the next Illinois budget as part of his State of the State address. But Republican lawmakers in the…

Illinois State University President Larry Dietz has asked staff to plan for budget cuts of 10% and 20%. In a message to staff who plan budgets at several…

The head of Illinois Senate Republicans called it “irresponsible” to build a state budget based on revenue from a graduated income tax that voters haven't…