Travis Weaver

Illinois lawmakers filed more than 7,500 bills this spring session, and 615 of them crossed the finish line. While most bills failed to escape legislative committees, there were some that got close to becoming reality.

Central Illinois lawmakers had predictably partisan reactions to the official state budget for the next fiscal year. The budget includes $55.2 billion in spending, a 3.9% increase. Revenue estimates total $55.3 billion, with $1 billion in new taxes on nicotine products, sports betting, and businesses.

The Illinois House on Tuesday voted to ban carbon capture near the Mahomet Aquifer in a 91-19 vote. It's already passed the Senate and now goes to the governor.

Illinois is among about a dozen states that have little or no homeschooling oversight. Some advocates want to do something about that.

Central Illinois lawmakers had mixed reactions to Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State and budget address. Some said they came to the Illinois House floor expecting more transparency about the budget and were disappointed by Pritzker’s focus on federal government and critique of Republican Party.