CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has hired former state Comptroller Leslie Munger to serve as a deputy governor. In a statement released first to The Associated Press on Friday, Rauner says Munger will focus on long-term budgeting and work with human services organizations hit hard by the state budget impasse. Rauner appointed Munger…
CHICAGO (AP) – A major credit rating agency has again downgraded Illinois’ rating, citing the “unprecedented failure” to approve a state budget. Fitch Ratings lowered the rating Wednesday on nearly $26 billion of general obligation bonds from BBB+ to BBB. That’s a few levels above “junk” status. Illinois already has the worst rating of any…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is seeking to stop state worker pay until legislators and Gov. Bruce Rauner approve a spending plan. A motion by Madigan filed Thursday in St. Clair County Circuit Court seeks to dissolve a preliminary injunction which allowed state workers to be paid during the budget impasse.…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says President Barack Obama’s health care law has “massive flaws,” but he’s cautious about repeal “with nothing to replace it.” Rauner spoke to reporters Wednesday after an event in Springfield. The Republican says he’s encouraging Illinois officials to talk with President-elect Donald Trump’s team and “encourage them…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Senate leaders are hoping to move swiftly on their pledge to advance a state-budget compromise by month’s end. The Democratic-controlled chamber has assigned 13 pieces of legislation for committee hearings that aim to break the two-year budget deadlock between legislative Democrats and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. The proposals include an…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A commission created by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner recommends reducing prison populations with a focus on treatment, curbing racial bias and emphasizing rehabilitation with punishment. The Criminal Justice Reform Commission made 13 recommendations in its final report delivered to Rauner on Tuesday. The commission suggests increasing post-prison services in communities with…
CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois’ largest state employee union says it’s made significant concessions in hopes of resuming contract negotiations, including a wage freeze. The state council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees issued a Monday letter saying they’d also pay higher health care premiums. The union had previously called for an…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The temporary Illinois budget plan agreed to last summer expires with the new year. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the General Assembly have hardly talked about how to replace it. Elementary and high school funding continues through June. Billions more gets spent because it’s court-ordered or is automatically…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the state’s largest public-employee union, a move union leaders call an attempt to intimidate their members. Rauner’s filing Thursday says it costs the state $2 million a day and is seeking damages. Union spokesman Anders Lindall calls the…
CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has contributed $50 million to his own campaign fund as he prepares to seek re-election in 2018. The donation from the multimillionaire former private equity investor was made public in documents filed Thursday. Republicans say Rauner’s contribution is intended as a warning shot as several Democrats weigh…