Celeste Bott – Page 2

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, left, and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Much posturing at the Capitol as budget progress remains elusive

May 15, 2019 at 3:39 p.m.

Political posturing over the state budget stalemate rolled on at the Capitol on Tuesday, as both Democratic and Republican legislative leaders emerged from a rare closed-door meeting with Gov. Bruce...

Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, raises his hand to get lawmakers' attention May 12, 2016, as the House discussed legislation to provide stopgap funding for human services.

Rank-and-file Illinois lawmakers talking income tax hike, but sizable obstacles in way

May 15, 2019 at 3:38 p.m.

With state government drowning in red ink and some social service agencies on the verge of collapse, a group of rank-and-file lawmakers is pitching an income tax increase, spending cuts...

Democrats and some Republicans are pushing ahead with an attempt to overhaul the way Illinois doles out tax dollars to elementary and high schools.

Lawmakers approve spending $700M on social services, but Rauner could veto

May 15, 2019 at 3:38 p.m.

Illinois lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation to spend $700 million on emergency funding for social service providers, a move aimed at keeping them afloat after they've spent nearly a...

Illinois state Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, is sponsor of a bill that would provide about $700 million for the state's network of social service providers. Gov. Bruce Rauner's office raised doubts that he'd sign off on the measure.

House panel backs social services funds, but Rauner noncommittal

May 15, 2019 at 3:38 p.m.

House lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday that would pump roughly $700 million into the state's network of social service providers, a stopgap plan aimed at curbing layoffs and closures as agencies...

Illinois Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, listens as lawmakers debate while on the Senate floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Springfield, Ill.

Illinois Senate passes school funding bill, but prospects uncertain

May 15, 2019 at 3:38 p.m.

Democrats in the Senate pushed through legislation Tuesday that would change how the state divvies up dollars among local school districts, a move Republicans blasted as a bailout for cash-strapped...

Rauner mum on Trump endorsement snub

May 15, 2019 at 3:38 p.m.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner would not elaborate Friday on his decision not to formally endorse presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and said working for Illinois is more important than...

Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks to reporters and answers questions outside the Illinois Capitol on May 2, 2016.

Rauner has misgivings on Lucas Museum at McCormick Place

May 15, 2019 at 3:37 p.m.

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday said he supports Mayor Rahm Emanuel's original site for a George Lucas lakefront museum but has some misgivings about the latest plan to tear down...

Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, argues May 3, 2016, at the Illinois Capitol in Springfield for his plan to turn legislative redistricting over to a commission appointed by the state Supreme Court. The measure passed.

Illinois legislators consider more higher education funding

May 15, 2019 at 3:37 p.m.

Lawmakers are taking a second bite at the apple in an effort to keep public universities and community colleges afloat through the summer, advancing legislation Tuesday that would free up...

Marijuana plants are seen nearly ready for harvest at the Ataraxia medical marijuana cultivation center in Albion, Ill., on Sept. 15, 2015.

Medical marijuana board rips Rauner’s rejections

August 21, 2019 at 6:15 p.m.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner came under fire Monday as the doctors, nurses and patients on a state panel that recommends whether to expand Illinois' medical marijuana test program complained their...

Optimistic Rauner mum on what it will take to end budget impasse

May 15, 2019 at 3:37 p.m.

As Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to talk up the possibility that he could strike a sweeping agreement with lawmakers to resolve the budget stalemate by the end of the...

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