Ben is a Statehouse reporter covering the General Assembly from Springfield and other events happening around state government. Ben is a graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield PAR program.
With just over 24 hours left in the spring legislative session, several major issues remain in flux. Lawmakers are getting closer to finalizing the budget, the Bears megaproject bill remains a coinflip, hemp and cannabis reform was showing some signs of life, but sources tell us the governor’s housi
State revenue growth is on track to meet expectations and there was no “April surprise” from income tax receipts. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability says it is not planning any significant changes to its March revenue projection for the year.
Jimmy Clayton told Capitol News Illinois he is focused on building relationships between the chamber and legislators while pushing lawmakers to take a balanced approach toward new regulations that will allow Illinois to attack new businesses.
House Democrats went to a private caucus ahead of a vote on an amended megaprojects bill that could help the Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights. Democrats also wanted to consider a constitutional amendment to tax millionaires this week. Both bills have thin margins toward passage.
Some Illinois House Republicans say they’d vote for a megaprojects bill to help the Chicago Bears build a stadium in Arlington Heights if Democrats include broader property tax relief in their plan.
Revenue was up 4.8% in March, or $233 million from the previous year, due to continuing growth in sales and income taxes, according to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Revenue is now up 4.2%, or $1.6 billion, three-quarters of the way through the fiscal year.
