Illinois lawmakers work to pass 2026 state budget, funding for Chicago mass transit

With a crucial midnight deadline quickly approaching, Illinois state lawmakers were working late into the night on Saturday to pass a $55 billion state budget plan for the next fiscal year, and to overhaul governance and funding for Chicago area mass …

Illinois Democrats propose tax hikes on tobacco, vaping and gambling to balance $55B budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — With only hours remaining before their midnight deadline, Democratic state lawmakers on Saturday still were finalizing various components of a more than $55 billion budget balanced with a combination of cuts and tax increases. The …

Proposed delivery tax across Illinois could save Chicago transit with Downstate getting a cut of the funds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new tax led by state Senate Democrats would help save the Chicago and Collar County transit fiscal cliff that could cause the loss of thousands of jobs. The tax would put a $1.50 flat fee on all retail deliveries with a motor …

Illinois Faces Catastrophic Risk in 7.0 Quake Scenario

You don't hear nearly as much about the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone in Illinois as you do the New Madrid Fault in Missouri, but experts are quietly preparing for what could be a surprising major quake in the Land of Lincoln. Simulations show the results …

Illinois Democrats pass budget in final minutes with sports betting hike

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers approved a $55.2 billion state budget package minutes ahead of a key constitutional deadline Saturday night, relying on tax hikes that would hit smokers, gamblers and big out-of-state companies to help seal an estimated $1 …

Kelsey Hart @ The Riverfront Park In Dixon Illinois – Dixon, IL

Illinois lawmakers pass $55B state budget, but no mass transit funding yet

Just minutes before a crucial midnight deadline, Illinois state lawmakers approved a $55 billion state budget plan for the next fiscal year. But while the Illinois Senate advanced a measure to overhaul and provide hundreds of millions of dollars in funding …

Illinois FY2026 budget heard in Senate committee: receives backlash from GOP Senators over lack of funding for ...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A day after the budget was passed in the Illinois House, the Senate held their own subject matter hearing on the proposed FY2026 budget which received significant backlash from Republican lawmakers. The budget will spend $55.16 …

Illinois lawmakers work to pass budget, transit funding plan before end of spring session

WATCH: Illinois lawmakers pass prescription drug pricing legislation

(The Center Square) – A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies has passed both chambers of the Illinois legislature.    The Prescription Drug Affordability …