Illinois lawmakers’ 2026 theme: affordability
Illinois lawmakers will look to address cost of living issues, insurance costs and datacenters during the 2026 spring session.
Budget
The latest Illinois budget coverage of state government to newspapers, broadcast outlets and other media throughout the state.
Illinois Medicaid program faces looming funding crisis due to federal changes
Federal changes under Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” threaten long-term funding of Illinois’ Medicaid program.
States say paperwork tied to $10B funding freeze is an intentionally ‘impossible task’
The targeted states called the Trump administration’s funding freeze a fishing expedition.
State education board OKs $10.9B budget request
Illinois education officials seek modest funding increase amid budget uncertainty.
Bailey proposes ‘Illinois DOGE’ as Republican governor’s race focuses on spending
Bailey also released plans to address cost-of-living concerns on property taxes and utility bills.
Trump freezes $10B in social service, child care funding for Illinois, 4 other blue states
The freeze affects $1 billion in funding to Illinois.
Illinois House speaker calls Bears stadium ask ‘insensitive’ amid budget pressures
Welch said state lawmakers will be focused on affordability issues when they return to Springfield.
Trump cuts could shrink Illinois economy by $10B: report
Tariffs are also hurting economic activity, according to new reports released by the governor’s office.
Comptroller candidates spar over taxes, experience in candidate forum
Five Democrats are running to replace Comptroller Susana Mendoza in Illinois.
State agency spending cut plans remain unclear following Pritzker’s order
Gov. JB Pritzker's office won’t release spending cuts submitted by state agencies in response to his executive order.
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