SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Health care workers say 30,000 disabled Illinois residents who get in-home care will suffer because the state won’t pay extra for overtime. A federal rule that took effect Jan. 1 makes home care workers eligible for time-and-a-half pay for work over 40 hours. But the state Department of Human Services will…
( KTRS ) The Illinois Senate is returning to Springfield today for a new legislative term expected to be dominated by officials’ inability to agree on a budget that should have taken effect July 1. The stalemate puts lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the odd predicament of trying to pass an overdue budget…
CHICAGO (AP) – The top Republican in the Illinois Senate says “it’s possible” the standoff over a state budget could last for several years if Democrats aren’t willing to compromise. Sen. Christine Radogno spoke Monday before the City Club of Chicago. She says if Illinois continues to spend money at current levels without raising taxes the…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois attorney general has ruled that Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office has withheld too much information on his daily appointment calendars from taxpayers. The state’s public access counselor issued an opinion in response to an appeal under the Freedom of Information Act by The Associated Press. Public access attorney Joshua Jones…
( KTRS ) Governor Bruce Rauner has added 5 more counties to the state disaster declaration for widespread flooding. This brings the statewide total of declared counties to 12. The counties added are Alexander, Christian, Clinton, Douglas and Morgan. On Tuesday, Gov. Rauner declared Calhoun, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair counties. Rauner…
( KTRS ) Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has granted clemency to seven people and denied another 247 requests. In a released statement, Rauner’s office says each person who received clemency has been subject to a recent criminal background check. The grantees include two people who were convicted of burglary – including one case from 1978.…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Cash-strapped Illinois has at least $4 billion in the bank. The money is sits in special funds in the state budget created for specific purposes. But an Associated Press analysis shows it’s in 531 accounts that could be ripe for picking as a fix to the budget mess. No one has…
( KTRS ) The Illinois budget impasse, now in its sixth month will be at the center of discussions during another meeting between legislative leaders and Gov. Bruce Rauner. The meeting scheduled for this afternoon will be the third in as many weeks between Gov. Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan along with Democratic…
( KTRS ) Lawmakers from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus say the state’s budget stalemate is having a big impact on the black population as youths miss out on financial aid for colleges and after-school programs. The group called at a Monday news conference for an end to the standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner…
( KTRS ) Illinois legislative leaders say they made minor progress during a meeting on the state budget stalemate, including agreeing to try again to overhaul state pensions. Gov. Bruce Rauner, GOP leaders Sen. Christine Radogno and Rep. Jim Durkin along with House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton met Tuesday. It was the…