
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch on abortion, the SAFE-T act, labor rights, and more.
IL House Speaker Chris Welch discussed cash bail's ending, the recently passed Workers' Rights Amendment, the state budget, and more.
IL House Speaker Chris Welch discussed cash bail's ending, the recently passed Workers' Rights Amendment, the state budget, and more.
Early Saturday morning, state lawmakers in Springfield approved a $46.5 billion budget for Illinois. We broke down the details with two statehouse reporters.
Early Sunday morning, the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up a four-day legislative session. Activity was relatively limited: passing a budget, changing a few voting laws, and approving curbside ordering of cocktails during the pandemic. Wearing masks and keeping socially distant, lawmakers conducted session without the usual swarm of lobbyists, activists, and members of the public to bear witness. But Statehouse reporters were keeping tabs — mostly from a distance — and two joined us to recap the session.
The Illinois budget that goes into effect July 1st includes a 3.5% rate increase for state-funded agencies that provide services to people with disabilities. But after more than a decade with no significant rate increases, some who work in the disabilities services sector say the new funding is not enough to ensure people with disabilities get the care they need.
Champaign-Urbana community members gathered yesterday at the Carpenters Hall in Champaign for a town hall with State Senator Scott Bennett and State Representative Carol Ammons. The Democrats answered questions from constituents about the state budget that Governor Rauner signed into law this week.