Tagged: Illinois budget

Spring Session Ends
11:19 am
Fri June 1, 2012

Illinois Budget Approved; Pension Reform Lingers

The Illinois Capitol building

Illinois lawmakers worked 90 minutes overtime to complete work on the new state budget. But they still have not addressed concerns with the state's pension system.

The Budget

The  Democratic budget imposes cuts throughout state government. But Republicans say the high spending levels mean the temporary income tax increase will have to be made permanent.

Democrats were attacked from within, too.

Democratic Senator Kimberly Lightford railed against what she said is too little money for higher education.

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Massive Backlog of Bills
7:19 pm
Mon January 30, 2012

Civic Federation Issues Gloomy Budget Forecast for Illinois

Illinois legislators face more bad budget news. 

A report from Chicago's Civic Federation said the massive backlog of unpaid bills is about to get much worse.

Illinois is expected to owe more than $9 billion by this summer. The figure is expected to continue rising and could hit nearly $35 billion within five years.

Civic Federation president Laurence Msall said the state must  act quickly.

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