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.

Under the new state budget, caregivers for people with disabilities will see an hourly wage increase of 50 cents an hour. The state-funded workers are known as direct service providers. They provide in-home care for people with disabilities, helping them dress, bathe, and perform other tasks.

The University of Illinois is slated to receive an extra $11.6 million under the new state budget approved by lawmakers this week. U of I President Timothy Killeen said the two percent increase in state spending on higher education will bring the university system’s total budget for the next fiscal year to just under $600 million.