Celeste Bott – Page 3

Rauner strikes optimistic tone on ‘grand compromise’ with Democrats

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

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday sought to strike an optimistic tone that a "grand compromise" with Democrats can be reached by May 31 to end the unprecedented budget impasse...

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

Illinois House, Senate play political games on constitutional amendments

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

Despite a flurry of action on ideas to change the Illinois Constitution that includes eliminating the lieutenant governor's office, overhauling how legislative districts are drawn and setting up a graduated...

The Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield.

State lawmakers approve funding to keep universities afloat through summer

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

Lawmakers threw foundering Illinois public universities and community colleges a life preserver Friday, with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats forging a rare agreement to spend $600 million to keep...

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton converse during Gov. Bruce Rauner's second budget speech on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, at the State Capitol building in Springfield.

Illinois university funding compromise dangled, then yanked

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

For a brief spell Thursday night at the Capitol, Democrats and Republicans in the House congratulated each other for what they thought was an agreement to spend $600 million to...

Lawmakers vote to eliminate ‘tampon tax,’ expand contraceptive options

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

State lawmakers on Thursday approved measures to eliminate the state sales tax on feminine hygiene products and expand contraceptive options. Under current law, tampons, sanitary napkins and adult diapers are...

Students and teachers rally in front of the Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield on April 20, 2016.

CTU’s Lewis calls Gov. Rauner ‘the new ISIS recruit’

June 8, 2018 at 9:13 p.m.

With the city facing the threat of a teachers strike, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis focused attention on Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday in an incendiary speech that likened...

Rep. Mike Zalewski, left, testifies about his fantasy sports bill HB4323 in the House Criminal Law Committee on April 20, 2016, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.

Lawmakers looking to tax, regulate fantasy sports in Illinois

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

State lawmakers on Wednesday took the first step toward regulating online sports betting, a move that comes as the popular fantasy sports industry finds itself under fire in Illinois following...

State Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger holds a news conference to discuss the effect of the continuing budget impasse on state finances at the Thompson Center on Sept. 9, 2015, in Chicago.

Democratic lawmakers dismiss comptroller’s get-in-line paycheck move

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

A day after the Republican state comptroller announced paychecks would be delayed due to the budget impasse, Democratic lawmakers dismissed it as a political ploy and pondered how they'll make...

Madigan Dems try to revive income tax plan to make wealthy pay higher rate

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

A top deputy of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has revived legislation to replace Illinois' flat income tax with a graduated system that would make those who earn more pay...

College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, pictured here on Feb. 3, 2016.

State Senate approves reforms to avoid repeat of College of DuPage scandal

May 15, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

The Illinois Senate passed several measures Thursday aimed at increasing oversight of community colleges following numerous revelations about questionable spending and lax oversight at the College of DuPage. The legislation...

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